Education
Education

Test opt-out bill passed by Georgia House

(AJC file)
(AJC file)
By Ty Tagami
March 4, 2017

Legislation that could make it easier to opt out of standardized state tests was adopted by the Georgia House of Representatives Friday.

House Bill 425 clarifies that parents can opt their children out of school testing without penalty. It also says they can choose to have their children take tests with paper and pencil rather than on a computer. The bill by Rep. Joyce Chandler, R-Grayson, passed 151-18.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Students are seen entering and leaving the Tate Student Center on the University of Georgia campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. State data released Tuesday shows that the rate of international students enrolling in Georgia’s public universities dropped dramatically this semester. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

International student enrollment slows at Georgia universities

It is not yet clear if the slowdown in Georgia is an anomaly or a sign of things to come.

1h ago

Atlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

Due to lower enrollment and climbing costs, 16 school buildings would be repurposed under the plan, with several schools closing and their students rezoned for other schools.

Judge overturns expulsion of Cobb student who warned friends of school threat

A Cobb County judge said the school system did not prove that a student who warned friends about a perceived threat intentionally disrupted the school day.

The Latest

Students are seen entering and leaving the Tate Student Center on the University of Georgia campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. State data released Tuesday shows that the rate of international students enrolling in Georgia’s public universities dropped dramatically this semester. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

International student enrollment slows at Georgia universities

1h ago

Atlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

Three Atlanta school board races appear headed to runoffs

Featured

The DeKalb school district is suing to recover money spent on cellphone lockers, plus money spent on implementing social media guidelines and hosting associated events, lost teaching time and to hire extra school counselors. (The New York Times file)

Credit: NYT

DeKalb school district reveals $4M social media addiction problem

The district is suing social media companies to get them to pay for addressing students' addiction to apps like Instagram. The companies argue they aren't to blame.

Atlanta airport sees continued cancellations because of shutdown

More than 115 flight cancellations were recorded on a quieter frigid Tuesday morning, far below Saturday's surge of 370.

For Ossoff and Georgia Democrats, the shutdown fight is the message

The fight over the federal government shutdown has allowed Georgia Democrats, like U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, to show that they have the grit to stand up to Republicans.