OAR 581-021-0009: Exemptions

(1) The school district may excuse students from a state required program or learning activity, where necessary, to accommodate students' disabilities or religious beliefs: (a) Approval of the exemption shall be based upon and shall include: (A) A written request from the student's parent or guardian or the student, if the student is 18 years of age or older or a legally emancipated minor, listing the reasons for the request and a proposed alternative for an individualized learning activity which substitutes for the period of time exempt from the program and meets the goals of the learning activity or course being exempt; (B) An evaluation of the request and approval by appropriate school personnel (the alternative should be consistent with the student's educational progress and career goals as described in OARs 581-022-2270 and 581-022-2060). (b) Following approval by the district school board, and upon completion of the alternative, credit shall be granted to the student. (2) The school district may approve and grant credit to a student for the alternative to a state required program or learning activity if the procedures in section (1) of this rule are followed. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this rule do not apply to exemption from participating in Oregon’s statewide summative assessments, which are defined as statewide assessments used to meet both participation and performance requirements for state and federal systems accountability. Exemption from Oregon’s statewide summative assessments is instead governed by Section 2, chapter 519, Oregon Laws 2015 (Enrolled House Bill 2655). ODE will annually publish notice about Oregon’s statewide summative assessments and an opt-out form as required under by Section 2, chapter 519, Oregon Laws 2015 (Enrolled House Bill 2655). (4) Subsection (3) of this rule will sunset as of July 1, 2021.