Bixby board to remove 'opt‑out' language from testing policy after state guidance

The Bixby Board of Education on March 12 discussed and approved changes to Policy 3134 (Oklahoma school testing program) after the State Department of Education advised districts that local opt‑out language is not authorized in policy. Board members said they had sought legal advice and were advised to remove the opt‑out provision from the district policy while maintaining family‑friendly practices.

Amanda Steven, chair, and other board members said the district will not force a child to sit in a testing room against parental wishes and that parents can still decline testing by keeping a child home or telling staff. Board members described the action as aligning policy language with state legal guidance while preserving parental rights in practice.

Officials said the state contact came as districts were being reminded about testing participation rates; staff and attorneys recommended revising local policy to match state guidance. The board approved the policy change on the consent agenda after discussion.

What the change means: according to staff comments, the district will remove explicit opt‑out language from its written policy because attorneys and the State Department indicated it should not be included. In practice, district staff said they will continue to accommodate family requests, for example by allowing parents to keep students home on test days or by noting an unattempted/invalid test if a student does not participate.

Numbers not specified: the transcript did not provide a district‑level count or percentage of families who opt out; staff said the district generally meets testing participation thresholds (noting a past 95% target had been met). The board also noted possible state legislative changes that could affect third‑grade retention and assessment requirements.

Sources: board discussion and staff remarks during item 7.2 (Policy 3134 discussion) at the Bixby Board meeting on March 12, 2026.