How can my child skip in-school standardized tests during pandemic?

Have a question about South Florida schools and COVID-19? Sun Sentinel reporter Lois Solomon will find the answer. Email your question to AskLois@ sunsentinel.com.

”I do not want my kids in school for standardized testing during the pandemic. I know the school district wants kids to attend (isn’t this how schools get rated?) but I have a legal right not to be there, even without a pandemic. Please spell out for me exactly how to not show up for the test and my kid to not get retained because of it, especially for a third grader.” — Broward mom of three

Lots of parents whose children are learning from home this year have been distressed by this recent announcement by the state

Department of Education. All students in grades 3 and higher have to return to school buildings for the Florida Standards Assessments, which measure student progress in core subjects. The tests are scheduled for April and May.

Florida law requires these tests for promotion in some grades. Students who fail to receive a score in some grades earn an incomplete grade for the course until a standardized test score is available.

There aren’t many options for families who want to avoid re-entering a school building. Students with disabilities can take alternative tests, or check with the Opt Out Florida Network, which opposes standardized exams, for their suggestions, such as creating a portfolio of work to show your child’s progress throughout the year.

”Why is the University of Florida limiting graduation tickets to two per graduate? We understand the need to limit the crowds but two seems unreasonable when we are finally able to celebrate something this year. We have a large family who would really enjoy attending this milestone after all we’ve been through over the past year.” — Maria, Pembroke Pines

UF canceled graduation ceremonies last year due to COVID-19 and decided virus rates are low enough in Gainesville this year that it’s safe to resume. The administration is allowing the O’Connell Center, an indoor athletic facility, to fill to 20% of its capacity for each ceremony. That means about 2,000 students and guests at 14 separate ceremonies beginning April 29, according to the Independent Florida Alligator student newspaper.

The school used to offer at least six tickets per graduate, so two is a significant reduction. The two will have to sit together; that means students can’t give tickets to acquaintances who want to sit with their families. And there will be no exceptions, according to the school’s website: “There will be no availability for extra tickets for any ceremony.”

One possibility if you’re bringing additional guests: There will be a free live-streaming of the ceremonies in the 88,000-seat Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, no tickets required, although capacity will be limited to 17,000.