Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. code 4.4) provides for the right of any parent/guardian to excuse his/her child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, he/she finds the assessment to be in conflict with his/her religious beliefs. This is the only basis for a parent/guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments.
Procedure for parent/guardian to request that student be excused from the statewide assessment(s):

1. The parent/guardian needs to initiate contact with the schools Program Supervisor/Coordinator with a request for his/her student to be excused from the assessment(s).
2. Two weeks prior to the assessment(s), the Program Supervisor/Coordinator will schedule an appointment for the parent/guardian to come in and view the exam(s). The parent/guardian must sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education prior to viewing the exam.
3. The parent/guardian is required to submit a written request to The Vanguard School (the written request will also be shared with the LEA from the student’s home district), stating a request to have his/her child opt out of the assessment due to religious objection. The letter must list the specific name(s) of each assessment about which there is an objection.
4. The Program Supervisor/Coordinator will confirm with the parent/guardian that the child will be excused.