M*sk Exemption for School Students

A doctors note is no longer required for a mask exemption in Pennsylvania. Students can have a 504 for any medical reason.  Before the end of this school year send an email to your child’s school nurse and principal, also CC the following on the email: Chester County Health Department, Jeanne Franklin and the Chester County Commissioners (email addresses below).  The email should state:  

My child will no longer wear a mask to school due to (choose/add):  anxiety, asthma, hypoxia, hypercapnia, shortness of breath, increased acidity, immunosuppression, fatigue, decline in cognitive performance, chronic stress, anxiety and depression.  Please include a mask exemption for the above mention health conditions as a 504 accommodation for my child.  This is not a request, my child [students name] will no longer wear a mask to school.    

Send email to your school principal, school nurse and CC:  

jcasner@chesco.org, cchd@chesco.org, cccommissioners@chesco.org, jmaxwell@chesco.org, mkichline@chesco.org, mmoskowitz@chesco.org 

** Its important to do this before the end of this school year, 2020-2021 to see what the school districts response is, either a 504 mask exemption, or they will respond with their reason why they refuse a 504 mask exemption.  This is a legal obligation on behalf of the school district.  

NOTE:  A 504 is a legal obligation that the school must follow. 

“504 plans are formal plans that schools develop to give kids with disabilities the support they need. That covers any condition that limits daily activities in a major way. These plans prevent discrimination. And they protect the rights of kids with disabilities in school.”  Source: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/what-is-a-504-plan#

PA Department of Health states:

Do students with disabilities need to wear face coverings?
Children two years old and older are required to wear a face covering unless they have a medical or mental health condition or disability, documented in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), that precludes the wearing of a face covering in school. Accommodations for such students should be made in partnership with the student's health care provider, school nurse, and Individual Education Plan (IEP)/Section 504 team.

May a school request evidence that someone qualifies for an exception to the Order?
Schools must require all students over 2 years of age to wear face coverings, except for any student who has a medical or mental health condition or disability that precludes the wearing of a face covering in school. Notwithstanding the exceptions in Section 3 or the Order, schools may require medical documentation. The Pennsylvania Department of Education recommends that any documentation that is provided be in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or IDEA of such medical or mental health condition or disability.

Source:  https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Guidance/Universal-Masking-FAQ.aspx

PSSA Opt Out 2021

How to Opt Out of the PSSA's

STEP 1:  Parent sends letter to the building principal that you plan to opt out.

STEP 2:  Parent reviews test at school.  

STEP 3:  Parent sends another letter stating that you have reviewed the test and are                        opting out for religious beliefs.

STEP 1:  Parent sends letter to the building principal that you plan to opt out.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Principal,

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [NAME], excused from PSSA testing because of religious beliefs.

Sincerely,

STEP 2:  Parent reviews test at school.

Two weeks prior to the testing window, exams must be made available for review.  School districts must provide a convenient time for the review.  Parents will need sign the 'Parent Confidentiality Agreement' that simply states they will not share what is on the test with anyone. 

STEP 3:  Parent sends another letter stating that you have reviewed the test and are opting out for religious beliefs.  This letter can be handed in at the time you review the PSSA.

SAMPLE LETTER:  

Dear Principal,

On [Date] I had the opportunity to review the PSSA test and pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [Name] excused from PSSA testing because of religious beliefs.  

Sincerely,

principal or Superintendent reviews the request and this request cannot be denied.

School personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and complete the “Non-Assessed Students” grid by selecting “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment.”

Please note that the only reason for opting out is religious beliefs and you do not need to provide any specific details as to what your religious beliefs are, just state "for religious beliefs".  Also, letters can be mailed or emailed.  I like emails because then you have record that it was sent.

PSSA Opt Out - Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Do I need to explain my religious beliefs with specific questions from the PSSA test on my opt out letter?

No.  A parent simply states "because of religious beliefs."  Once a parent reviews the PSSA, this is all that needs to be included in the letter:

On [Date] I had the opportunity to review the PSSA test and pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [Name] excused from PSSA testing because of religious beliefs.  

Parents must sign a confidentiality agreement. If they state anything specific from the PSSA test, THEY WILL BREACH THE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. Parents cannot, by nature of the confidentiality agreement, write specifically what they oppose for religious reasons on the PSSA test.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education explains this, see page 4, question 10 at  Chapter 4 FAQ.

So, as long as a parent or guardian reviews the state assessment and provides a written statement providing his/her written objection for religious purposes (however vague that objection may be), the child must be excused from the assessment. PDE will not provide an opinion as to what is a proper religious objection.

  

This false statement, and other similar false statements have been given to parents from their school districts:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has made it clear that any objection to the testing materials for religious reasons must be specific in nature, must note the specific question or questions that are objectionable and the specific, religious reason for your objection. Please note a general statement of religious objection does not meet the intention of this review and will not be considered for possible exemption.

 2.  My child is opted out of the PSSA testing, what will they do while their classmates are taking the PSSA's?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) on page 9 of the PSSA Handbook. :

If the student is excused from the assessment due to parental or guardian request, school personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and select “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment."

3.  When can I schedule to review the PSSA?  My school district has offered limited hours which makes it difficult for me to schedule a time to review.  

From page 9 of the 2015 PSSA Handbook for Assessment Coordinators:

Districts must provide a convenient time for the review. This may include an evening review time, if requested.

Keystone Exams Opt Out 2021

Students in the 2019-2020 cohort did not take the 2020 Keystone Exams because there was a federal waiver due to COVID 19.  Students in this cohort do not need to take the Keystones, however schools are required per federal law to administer them as they are one of the pathways to fulfill the graduation requirement.  The Keystone Exams will be administered in April and May 2021.  More information at the bottom of this page.

How To Opt Out of the Keystone Exams

Section 4.4 of Title 22, Chapter 4 provides for the rights of parents to excuse their child from the Keystone exams if they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs.  It is important to note that no religious affiliation or discussion is required to be shared with the school district, simply state that you are opting out based on "religious beliefs".

STEP 1:  
Parent request in writing to the building principal to review exam within two weeks of exam.  

SAMPLE LETTER:

 Dear Principal,

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [NAME], excused from Keystone testing because of religious beliefs.

Sincerely,

Two weeks prior to the testing window, exams must be made available for review.  School districts must provide a convenient time for the review.  Parents will need sign the 'Parent Confidentiality Agreement' that simply states they will not share what is on the test with anyone. 

STEP 2:  
Parent reviews test at school.

STEP 3:  
Parent provides written request to be excused from test to the Superintendent. Can be worded same as first letter, stating that that you reviewed the exam.

SAMPLE LETTER:  

Dear Principal,

On [Date] I had the opportunity to review the Keystone exam and pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [Name] excused from Keystone testing because of religious beliefs.  

Sincerely,

STEP 4:  
Principal or Superintendent reviews the request - this request cannot be denied.

School personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and complete the “Non-Assessed Students” grid by selecting “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment.

From the PDE website (bold emphasis added):

"The waiver's coverage of assessment requirements applies to the cohort of 2019-20 test takers who were scheduled to take one or more Keystone Exams in the spring of 2020 (Spring 2019-20 Cohort). Accordingly, the Federal government is not requiring any student enrolled in a Keystone Exam trigger course (Algebra I, Biology, English Literature) during the spring of the 2019-20 school year, regardless of their current grade level or expected graduation date,  to take the associated Keystone Exam(s) once schools reopen and federal assessment requirements resume."

Spring 2019-20 Cohort: Opt-Out

Any student enrolled in a Keystone Exam trigger course during the spring of the 2019-20 school year has the right to opt out of the assessment by parental consent, should an LEA schedule a Keystone Exam administration for the entire cohort. Parents wishing to opt their student out of such an administration are not required to follow the procedures set forth in 22 Pa. Code § 4.4(d)(4) (related to religious opt-outs). 

Impacts on State Graduation Requirements

In accordance with Act 158, statewide graduation requirements take effect with the class of 2022. Act 158 provides five options for meeting graduation requirements: (1) Keystone Proficiency Pathway, (2) Keystone Composite Pathway, (3) Alternate Assessment Pathway, (4) Evidence-Based Pathway, and (5) Career and Technical Education Pathway.

The first two pathways are based solely on Keystone Exam scores. For that reason, all students, including any student enrolled in a Keystone trigger course during the spring of the 2019-20 school year, must have full access to all five options to meet graduation requirements.

2020 Keystone Exams

Students in the 2019-2020 cohort did not take the 2020 Keystone Exams because there was a federal waiver due to COVID 19.  Students in this cohort do not need to take the Keystones, however schools will be offering them because they are two of the 5 pathways to fulfill the graduation requirement. 

From the PDE website (bold emphasis added):

"The waiver's coverage of assessment requirements applies to the cohort of 2019-20 test takers who were scheduled to take one or more Keystone Exams in the spring of 2020 (Spring 2019-20 Cohort). Accordingly, the Federal government is not requiring any student enrolled in a Keystone Exam trigger course (Algebra I, Biology, English Literature) during the spring of the 2019-20 school year, regardless of their current grade level or expected graduation date,  to take the associated Keystone Exam(s) once schools reopen and federal assessment requirements resume."

Spring 2019-20 Cohort: Opt-Out

Any student enrolled in a Keystone Exam trigger course during the spring of the 2019-20 school year has the right to opt out of the assessment by parental consent, should an LEA schedule a Keystone Exam administration for the entire cohort. Parents wishing to opt their student out of such an administration are not required to follow the procedures set forth in 22 Pa. Code § 4.4(d)(4) (related to religious opt-outs). 

Impacts on State Graduation Requirements

In accordance with Act 158, statewide graduation requirements take effect with the class of 2022. Act 158 provides five options for meeting graduation requirements: (1) Keystone Proficiency Pathway, (2) Keystone Composite Pathway, (3) Alternate Assessment Pathway, (4) Evidence-Based Pathway, and (5) Career and Technical Education Pathway.

The first two pathways are based solely on Keystone Exam scores. For that reason, all students, including any student enrolled in a Keystone trigger course during the spring of the 2019-20 school year, must have full access to all five options to meet graduation requirements.

Opt Out PSSA 2019

This post contains information on how to opt out of the PSSA's and FAQ.

Pennsylvania - Opt Out Standardized Testing PA 

Join this Facebook group if you are interested in connecting with other parents in PA who are considering opting out to share and discuss issues relating to PA opt out.

How to Opt Out of the PSSA's

STEP 1:  Parent sends letter to the building principal that you plan to opt out.

STEP 2:  Parent reviews test at school.  

STEP 3:  Parent sends another letter stating that you have reviewed the test and are opting out for religious beliefs.

Please note that the only reason for opting out is religious beliefs and you do not need to provide any specific details as to what your religious beliefs are, just state "for religious beliefs".  Also, letters can be mailed or emailed.  I like emails because then you have record that it was sent.

STEP 1:  Parent sends letter to the building principal that you plan to opt out.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Superintendent,

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [NAME], excused from PSSA testing because of religious beliefs.

Sincerely,

STEP 2:  Parent reviews test at school.

Two weeks prior to the testing window, exams must be made available for review.  School districts must provide a convenient time for the review.  Parents will need sign the 'Parent Confidentiality Agreement' that simply states they will not share what is on the test with anyone. 

STEP 3:  Parent sends another letter stating that you have reviewed the test and are opting out for religious beliefs.  This letter can be handed in at the time you review the PSSA.

SAMPLE LETTER:  

Dear Superintendent,

On [Date] I had the opportunity to review the PSSA test and pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [Name] excused from PSSA testing because of religious beliefs.  

Sincerely,

Superintendent reviews the request and this request cannot be denied.

School personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and complete the “Non-Assessed Students” grid by selecting “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment.”

PSSA Opt Out - Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Do I need to explain my religious beliefs with specific questions from the PSSA test on my opt out letter?

No.  A parent simply states "because of religious beliefs."  Once a parent reviews the PSSA, this is all that needs to be included in the letter:

On [Date] I had the opportunity to review the PSSA test and pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [Name] excused from PSSA testing because of religious beliefs.  

Parents must sign a confidentiality agreement. If they state anything specific from the PSSA test, THEY WILL BREACH THE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. Parents cannot, by nature of the confidentiality agreement, write specifically what they oppose for religious reasons on the PSSA test.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education explains this, see page 4, question 10 at  Chapter 4 FAQ.

So, as long as a parent or guardian reviews the state assessment and provides a written statement providing his/her written objection for religious purposes (however vague that objection may be), the child must be excused from the assessment. PDE will not provide an opinion as to what is a proper religious objection.

  

This false statement, and other similar false statements have been given to parents from their school districts:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has made it clear that any objection to the testing materials for religious reasons must be specific in nature, must note the specific question or questions that are objectionable and the specific, religious reason for your objection. Please note a general statement of religious objection does not meet the intention of this review and will not be considered for possible exemption.

 2.  My child is opted out of the PSSA testing, what will they do while their classmates are taking the PSSA's?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) on page 9 of the PSSA Handbook. :

If the student is excused from the assessment due to parental or guardian request, school personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and select “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment."

3.  When can I schedule to review the PSSA?  My school district has offered limited hours which makes it difficult for me to schedule a time to review.  

From page 9 of the 2015 PSSA Handbook for Assessment Coordinators:

Districts must provide a convenient time for the review. This may include an evening review time, if requested.

Technology in Education - Digital Classrooms

Guest Blog by Wrench in the Gears

Building Sanctuary: A Dystopian Future We Must Fight To Avoid

The next wave of education reform is one part of a much larger societal shift that hinges on the use of Big Data, predictive analytics, and digital profiling to control populations in a world of growing economic uncertainty and unrest. What follows is a speculative dystopian scenario, a world that could very well emerge from systems being put in place right now. It centers on two sisters, Cam and Li, who live in a near future New York where authorities have come to view human life primarily as a source from which to extract financial profit. Many elements of the story read like science fiction, but they are not. I’ve included links to sources at the end of each post so you can explore this reality for yourself.

The future is uncertain and unlikely to play out exactly as described. Nevertheless, we must begin to comprehend how technological developments combined with concentrated power and extreme income inequality are leading us to increasingly automated forms of oppression. My hope is that communities will begin to incorporate an understanding of this bigger picture into resistance efforts for public education and beyond. Let us join together, embracing our humanity, to fight the forces that would bring us to “lockdown.” How can we preserve our lives and those of our loved ones outside the data stream? How can we nurture community in a world where alienation is becoming normalized? What do we owe one another? What are we willing to risk? I have divided my story into seven parts. I hope you’ll read along and consider sharing it with others.


Click here for the full story: Building Sanctuary

Or read in parts:

Plugging In

A World Without (Much) Work

Smart and Surveilled

Data Mining Life on the Ledger

Automated Education

A Community of Resistance

Choices

About the author of Building Sanctuary and popular blog Wrench in the Gears:

Wrench in the Gears

A Skeptical Parent's Thoughts on Digital Curriculum

I am writing this blog in tribute to the critically important work on the history of education and its intersections with military research and automation done by brothers David and Douglas Noble. I hope that in some way my words can build upon the strong foundation they have laid.

Contact at:  awrenchinthegears@gmail.com

Visit blog:  Wrench in the Gears

Popular and informative blog posts from Wrench in the Gears:

From Neighborhood Schools to Learning Eco-Systems, A Dangerous Trade

Stop! Don’t opt out. Read this first.

Digital Curriculum: Questions Parents Should be Asking

Personalization or Profiling? Childhood in the Ed-Tech Era

Urgent: Unauthorized Collection and Distribution of PA Student Data

Thank you to D.O. for this Guest Blog 

Urgent: Unauthorized collection and distribution of PA student data fall 2017 and ACTION ITEM at the end

Unbeknownst to parents across Pennsylvania, many middle and high school students will be administered the intrusive and disturbing PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey) between September 11 and November 22, 2017. 

What is PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey)

The survey questions can be found HERE 

This information from PAYS is used to identify changes in behavior and substance abuse, and to identify needs in the community. The data is also used in grant applications.  That all sounds noble and good. Unfortunately, there are three insidious problems with this survey.

Government intrusion

The 2017 PAYS is worse than ever. The survey (as usual) asks not just what the student does or thinks, but what parents, siblings, their closest friends, and neighbors do and think and feel, how close the student is with his parents and family members, and whether he goes to church. It effectively asks the student to spy on other people. You can see a copy of the 2017 PAYS survey questions <here>. 

Trigger warning advised

Some of the questions are so heartless that they should carry a trigger warning. If a student is already struggling, this survey could have devastating consequences. A survey is not a compassionate way to deal with serious crises in a young person’s life. Struggling students need people who care, not a dehumanizing survey tallying their heart break. The PAYS is taken anonymously, but the questions are excruciatingly personal in nature. 

Also, some of the questions are age inappropriate.  Consider that PAYS is asking 6th and 8th grader (age 12-14 years old) questions about drugs, guns, suicide and feelings towards their parents.

Lack of Consent
The third major issue is that this survey is given without written parental consent, which is required by state law. 

The law:  According to Title 22, Chapter 4, Item 4(d)  “School entities shall adopt policies to assure that parents or guardians have the following: (5) The right to have their children excluded from research studies or surveys conducted by entities other than a school entity unless prior written consent has been obtained.”

In practice: The rights of guardians are being blatantly disregarded as the push for data collection continues. Per the law, surveys require a parent to provide written consent.However, the PDE incorrectly tells school districts to use a passive opt in method, which is to say that everyone is opted in unless the parent chooses to opt out. The PDE also fails to tell districts that districts are responsible for notifying all parents of the upcoming survey and for providing opt out instructions. (One cannot presume a parent has opted in if the parent was not even notified of the survey.)

Most parents across the state only find out about the survey when their children come home and tell them about the upsetting survey they were forced to take, after the damage has already been done. Even then parents are unaware of their right to opt out of future surveys. As a result, very few parents across the state have had the opportunity to be informed and opt out.

Although the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is responsible for statewide administration of the PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey) and provides the procedures to the school districts, the PDE takes no responsibility for disseminating incorrect information.The PDE has stated that they will not revise their policies and that it’s not their fault if school districts fail to obtain the required written permission, even if they did so under the advice of the PDE. In the PDE’s eyes, the school districts are ultimately accountable for complying with state law, not the PDE.

This affects all current students in Pennsylvania in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12thgrades in districts that have opted to participate (given biannually), as well as students in 6th through 12th grades in districts that receive certain federal community grants (annually).

Urgent call to action

1	Opt out	If your child is in 6th through 12th grades, opt them out. You can email your childs principal’s and teacher and request that your child is opted out of the PAYS survey. It just takes a minute! That way you can be sure that your student will not participate in this tragic data grab.
2	Share	Inbox all of your friends who are middle school or high school parents and tell them the can opt out, and share this blog post via social media.
3	Advocate	Tell <xxx> that the PDE must comply with state education law and obtain written consent before surveying school-aged children.
4	Inform	Forward your email to the superintendent of your school district and add a link to this blog post reminding them that they are responsible for following state law.

Keep it simple. If we each take just a few minutes to do this, we will have a huge impact. Together we can make a difference for our children.