With new state assessments kicking into full swing across the country, schools are seeing more and more parents wanting to opt out their children. Determining whether states allow assessment opt-outs can be complex and is constantly evolving. In some states the answer is clear: State policies either allow or prohibit state assessment opt-outs, or state departments of education issue clear guidance that opt-outs are not allowed. In many states, however, the guidance as to whether opt-outs are allowed is far less clear, as departments of education are often silent on the issue. Additionally, many states have no consequences in place for not participating in mandatory assessments, adding a further wrinkle to defining what it means for states to truly prohibit opt-outs. This ECS Education Trends report highlights a number of ways states are addressing this issue. An appendix provides a brief snapshot of information related to assessment opt-outs across the 50 states and District of Columbia, where available.