Posted by askPauline on January 17 2010 at 16:16:11:
In Reply to: Religious Exemption for PSSA posted by Liz on January 14 2010 at 22:02:48:
I would first discuss your daughter´s situation with the school. There are alternate assessments available for some special needs kids; I don´t know who qualifies for this but it´s worth looking into.
In addition, I´d make darn sure they did not put any stress on your daughter about the tests. You can explain they are a game the district plays, and that she should give it her best shot but that it totally doesn´t matter how she does. You can also explain that there will be hard questions on the test -some too hard for her - and that it´s OK to skip them, and that everyone does this. It´s the adults that give the kids the cue that tests should be stressed over - if you can isolate her from this idea, it might help.
That said, there is an option for a religious exemption. PA Code Chapter 4.4(d)(4) says “If upon inspection of State assessments parents or guardians find the assessments in conflict with their religious belief and wish their student be excused from the assessment, the right of the parents or guardians will not be denied upon written request to the applicable school district superintendent or AVTS director.”
Note that you will actually have to look at the PSSA and then write a letter asking for an exemption. Talk to your school about the process. (Sorry - I couldn´t figure out how to get rid of the bold & italics!)