Guidance for Medical Exemptions from State Assessments
Generally, if a student can receive instruction, then they are also able to participate in state assessments; however, the health and well-being of students should take priority in determining whether they can participate.
Students may receive a medical exemption if they cannot participate in a state assessment during the testing window, including make-up dates, due to a significant medical event. Examples include, but are not limited to, a student who is 1) receiving short-term medical treatment due to a medical emergency; or 2) seriously ill or has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving instruction during the testing window.
- A medical emergency is defined as a circumstance in which a student cannot take or finish taking the assessment during the entire testing window, including make-up dates, because of a recent significant medical event just prior to or during the annual testing window. Examples of medical emergencies include:
- Serious injury
- Concussion
- Confinement to home or hospital with an acute condition, not a long-term home instruction or hospital instruction situation.
- Inability to interact with others without serious risk of infection or contamination.
- Pregnancy with significant health complications or delivery just prior to or during the testing window.
- Mental health crisis that prevents a student from receiving instruction.
A note from a physician dated at least two weeks within the start of the testing window must be on file at the school. These records must be retained for three years.
- A serious illness or medical condition is defined as one in which the student is receiving active treatment for a life-threatening illness or medical condition and/or the associated recuperation. A note from a physician must be on file at the school and must be retained for three years.
To account for a student with a medical exemption, as defined above, the “Medical Emergency” bubble on testing documents should be used.
Note: An assessment of a student’s medical condition must be made annually at the testing window for each content area.