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Amended opt-out bill passes State Senate

State senators signed off on an effort allowing parents to opt their kids out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Wednesday, but they amended it to the chagrin of its original sponsor.

 

Sen. Dave Sokola tacked on an amendment that would apply to any school district test instead of only a statewide assessment.

 

Another allows soon-to-be 11th grade students to fully opt-out of those tests.

 

Rep. John Kowalko called Sokola’s amendment a “bill killer” and is uncertain about its future after the House passed it overwhelmingly.

 

Gov. Jack Markell has strongly opposed the measure, but hasn’t publicly said whether or not he would veto it.

 

House lawmakers must now reconcile their different versions before it heads to Markell’s desk.

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