Anonymous
05/17/2026 19:42
Subject: Has anyone opted out of MCAP for their elementary kid?
If your kid attends school during the testing window, they could be pulled to test. The testing window is usually a few weeks.
Anonymous
05/17/2026 04:03
Subject: Has anyone opted out of MCAP for their elementary kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.
In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.
If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.
I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.
What is the point of allowing them to refuse the test in elementary school, considering they are going to have to take many such tests going forward? Why not just teach them how to manage anxiety and develop coping skills?
OP. This is not about test anxiety. It’s about the necessity of state mastery tests.
Anonymous
05/17/2026 04:00
Subject: Has anyone opted out of MCAP for their elementary kid?
Anonymous wrote:Yes. It’s not easy but if the child refuses to take the test there isn’t much they can do.
In my case, his teachers thankfully knew his much anxiety it caused him - to the point of self-harm. As a parent, you cannot opt your child out. But they can themselves. So I worked with the teacher for my child to “refuse” to take the test.
If they close their Chromebook and say they are not taking it, they will be forced to sit in the classroom still I believe but my child never took one. We had to pull him eventually but it can and should be done if needed.
I am a former teacher and I believe all families need to opt out of state testing. It helps no one except the central offices. Funding should never be tied to student outcomes via high-stakes testing. I’be personally witnessed the harm and stress it causes so many.
In Maryland, funding is not tied to student outcomes, it’s tied to student demographics. How can we measure the effectiveness of teachers and schools without state testing?
Anonymous
05/09/2026 18:44
Subject: Has anyone opted out of MCAP for their elementary kid?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Opting out is now not an option under Maryland law.
Tell us what you think the penalty is for failing to deliver your child for the MCAP.
You are going to need to continue to keep them home during the week of makeup exams again too then. The school will keep trying to make it up.
Anonymous
05/09/2026 17:44
Subject: Has anyone opted out of MCAP for their elementary kid?
Anonymous wrote:Opting out is now not an option under Maryland law.
Tell us what you think the penalty is for failing to deliver your child for the MCAP.