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SDLA Compliance Resource

Honor a Written Parent Request to Excuse a Student From CAASPP

A neutral intake-and-documentation process that distinguishes a legally sufficient written request from a phone call, staff solicitation, or an assumed exemption.

  • CAASPP
  • Parent Rights
  • Written Request
Date(s)During the CAASPP cycle; process promptly enough to prevent unintended testing
Applies toCalifornia public-school pupils whose parent or guardian submits a written request to school officials

In Plain Language: A parent or guardian may submit a written request asking that the child be excused from any or all CAASPP parts, and the school must grant it. The state does not prescribe magic words or a mandatory form.

Why this matters

A clean process protects the family’s choice, keeps staff neutral, prevents accidental testing, and gives coordinators an auditable scope and student match.

Joint ownership

Intake: principal/designee. Implementation: CAASPP coordinator and test-site staff. Partners: parent, registrar, teacher, and records staff.

Operational workflow

  1. 1. Date-stamp the writing and verify parent/guardian identity, student, school, school year, and requested scope.
  2. 2. If scope is unclear, neutrally ask the parent to clarify in writing; do not expand or narrow the request.
  3. 3. Mark the student in local and testing controls before any session; notify only staff who need to implement it.
  4. 4. Confirm receipt/implementation, retain the request, and reconcile the final participation record.

Practical wording—not a state-required script

“I am the parent/guardian of [student], [grade/school].”
“Under Education Code section 60615, I request that my child be excused from [all CAASPP assessments / named parts] for 2026–27.”
Parent/guardian name, date, and contact information

Evidence to retain

  • Original written request and received date
  • Identity/scope clarification
  • Testing-system and roster controls
  • Implementation confirmation
  • Final reconciliation

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current federal and California law, CDE and test-contractor manuals, local board policy, adopted instruments, individual student circumstances, and live system status before acting.