Georgia Milestones Testing- Refusal to Participate

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    Cartersville City Schools administers the Georgia Milestones Assessment System’s End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests each year in April and May for students in grades three through twelve.

    We understand that some parents may choose to have their child not participate in testing or may send a note requesting their child be opted out.

    CCS recognizes that opinions on standardized tests can vary widely, from support to concern. We aim to be transparent about the federal and state laws that govern testing in our district, how we use test data, and your rights as a parent or guardian, so you can make the best decision for your child.

    Please note that there is no "opt-out" option for state and federally mandated testing. We encourage you to review the information below to understand the assessment requirements and the implications of opting out.

     Also, you may review the following document from the Georgia Department of Education regarding this issue- GADOE Refusal to Participate

  • What does federal law require?

    • Current federal and state laws require public schools to annually assess all students. In Georgia that assessment is the Georgia Milestones Assessment System or the Georgia Alternate Assessment. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-281).
    • Georgia and Federal laws do not include provisions that allow students to be "opted out" of state-mandated assessments; therefore, the Georgia Department of Education and Cartersville City Schools do not have authority to waive student assessment requirements mandated by law (O.C.G.A. §20-2-281).
    • According to the Georgia Department of Education, students may only be excluded from testing due to a medical emergency, which must be documented in writing from a licensed physician. In this case schools will schedule a make-up exam. 
    • Cartersville City Schools is required to offer all students the opportunity to participate in state assessments.
    • Accountability and participation waivers granted during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years due to the COVID-19 global pandemic are no longer in effect.
    • If a student refuses to participate in testing (including those who are refusing at the direction of a parent, teachers or school administrators will provide an alternate location and assignments for the student during testing.  The student's tests will be marked as "Present, but refused to test.

  • Are school districts and schools accountable for student participation and performance?

    • Are school districts and schools accountable for student participation and performance?
      • For schools and districts, student performance on the Georgia Milestones assessment is a significant component of Georgia's College and Career Performance Index  accountability system, which is a requirement of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.  Maintaining a student test participation rate of 95 percent or higher is a requirement of this accountability measure for schools and school districts.

  • Key Points

    • The school district is legally required to offer students every opportunity to participate in the assessment.
    • Parents take responsibility for the absence of test data, which may impact future educational decisions, such as course placement.
    • Absences to avoid state assessments are considered unexcused.
    • Certified teachers will be proctoring Milestones assessments, so students who refuse testing will not have access to teacher-led or supported alternate assignments during testing periods. They will be placed in an alternate setting until the day's testing has been completed. 
    • High school students who do not complete end-of-course assessments will have a grade of zero factored as 10 percent of their final course grade, as required by Georgia law.
    • Students refusing to participate in Georgia Milestones assessments are still required to complete all classroom assignments and assessments required by Cartersville City Schools. Failure to complete these assignments and assessments may result in grades of zero or disciplinary action.

  • What is tested?

    Georgia Milestones is administered to the following:
    • English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades three through eight
    • Science in grades five and eight
    • Social Studies in grade eight. 
    • In high school, students taking American Literature, Algebra I, Biology, and United States History will take a corresponding Milestones assessment at the completion of the course.

  • How are test results used?

    • Schools and teachers use the information gained from these assessments, in addition to ongoing formative and diagnostic assessments, to guide instructional improvement. 
    • Educators use results from Georgia Milestones and other measures of achievement to determine an individual student’s areas of strength and weakness. 
    • Additionally, schools use Georgia Milestones performance as one reliable and valid point of data for student placement in academic programs.