Illinois Schedule M Instructions: Fill & Download for Free

I’m good at math. Really good. Calculus is a college class, but some smart people take AP Calc as a high school senior. I scored a 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam after earning an A both semesters as a high school freshman. But it’s worth looking back on how I got here.When I was two and a half years old, my grandma and aunt taught me how to play blackjack. Eventually I reached the point where we’d bet with m&ms. They fostered my love of math by making it fun to calculates sums in my head.I wasn’t old enough to stay up for all of my Chicago Bears’ night games. My dad would always write the score on a post-it note so I could see it first thing the next morning. At my request, he’d write down how many points each team scored each quarter but not the final score. I wanted to add that up myself.About a month into kindergarten, I stepped off the bus and walked through my garage door (my mom was always home and our neighborhood was safe enough she could leave it open for extended periods anyways). My mom asked what I did in school that day, and one thing I mentioned was that we learned about shapes in math that day. I casually mentioned how I found the lesson easy, and further questioning from her revealed I found much of the class easy.So my mom contacted my school’s superintendent. In a 1 school district with approximately 160 students, this was a logical next step. Because there were so few students, administration was able to customize the learning experience and make sure I was properly challenged. The next day, after lunch when the other 21 kindergartners continued learning about shapes from our normal teacher, I was directed to join the 2nd grade level math class.The next summer, my mom found a 3rd grade level math workbook and had me work through it. I tested out of third grade math when I returned to school and began a new phase of my math career. I was still in Mr. Bernard’s class, like most of last year, but now I sat in the back and worked through a fourth grade textbook on my own, only asking Mr. Bernard if I had a question or needed a test printed out. After winter break, I kept the same arrangement except I was then working through the 5th grade math textbook as I had finished the 4th grade one. By the end of the year, I had started the 6th grade textbook.Most students spent a few minutes at the start of class working through Rocket math, a series of worksheets designed to help students memorize their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of single digit numbers. I already knew that, so Mr. Bernard gave me a deck of his special cards- 40 cards total cards, 4 each of every number 0–9. He taught me a game, 24, where I shuffle the deck, deal out 4 cards, then try to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to manipulate the four numbers into 24. I played that instead of working on Rocket Math in first and second grade.When I reached fifth grade, I had finished 1st-6th grade math, pre-algebra, and algebra 1 and was working on geometry. Recognizing that I needed some actual instruction instead of just reading a textbook, my schedule was adjusted. Instead of silent reading, I went and received 15 minutes of instruction from the school’s geometry teacher, then I worked on assigned problems during my normal math class.After 6th grade, my school (it was the same school from kindergarten to 8th grade) didn’t think it could adequately teach me anymore. My elementary school superintendent, my geometry teacher, my parents, and the Director of Student Services at the high school found a solution. Since the high school began at 7:30 and middle school at 8:45, I would go to the high school, take Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors 1st period, then my mom would pick me up when the class ended at 8:20 and drive me back to my middle school. In 8th grade, I took two classes at my high school: Pre-calculus Honors and Biology Honors.By my sophomore year of high school, I had already thrived in the highest level math class my school offered. Luckily, my parents were able to pay over a thousand dollars for me to take the next class online. Luckily, the Calculus teacher was willing to work with me and try to help any questions I had, even though she had never taught my current class. Sophomore year, I also advanced to the regional level of the Chem Olympiad, which I was able to participate in because I was able to take AP Chemistry, which I was able to take because I was able to take biology in eighth grade.I’ve accomplished a lot in my math career. I’ve done a lot that looks really good on a college application.But I’ve lived my whole life in a county with massive income inequality. When I was in 8th grade, my public elementary school spent over $31,000 per student. Last year, my high school spent over $23,000 per pupil. (Note: my data is from here[1]. I’m intentionally not citing the exact source because I don’t want to explicitly name the schools.) If I lived not 10 miles away, then my public high school would have spent less than $14,000 per pupil. Money doesn’t directly correspond to opportunity, but it’s fairly clear if I lived in that district I’d have had significantly fewer opportunities.My parents wouldn’t have been able to work with my superintendent to make sure I had a math class that properly challenged me. I wouldn’t have received one on one instruction in fifth and sixth grade. I wouldn’t have been invited to take math classes at the high school in seventh or eighth grade. I wouldn’t have all of the accomplishments that will make my college application look so spectacular.If I lived 10 miles away, I’d be the same person, with the same natural aptitude for learning, the same love of math, and unspectacular accomplishments. I’d be the same person my grandpa thinks is a shoo in to be accepted to top colleges, but he’d think I shouldn’t be in the conversation.If the only difference between me being exceptional and above-average but normal is where I was born, then the only difference someone else being exceptional and above-average but normal is where they were born. The only reason an above-average but normal student isn’t me is that they weren’t given all the opportunities I was.Holistic admissions is how colleges try to make sure they admit the best and brightest students. With holistic admissions, colleges can acknowledge that no circumstances are the same. They can make sure they don’t penalize others for not looking as smart as me just because they haven’t had the opportunities to look as smart as me. Holistic admissions means acknowledging that a child with fewer chances to demonstrate their abilities isn’t necessarily less skilled than a child with more chances.Holistic admission means judging people by what they’ve done, not what they never have the opportunity to do.I’d be better off with admissions fully based on test scores, GPA, AP scores, what students have done. But I can recognize that I’m not the smartest kid in my school, let alone in my county, like many of my accomplishments suggest. I’ve just had more and better chances than others. We need holistic admissions because raw numbers could never tell the full story with any accuracy.Footnotes[1] Illinois Report Card

Yes — but they vary from state to state. Here are the rules, organized by State, alphabetically:GED in AlabamaThe Alabama Community College System is responsible for the GED exam in Alabama.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Exception with additional documentation -16Required additional documentation: Proof of withdrawal from high school, official permission from a parent or guardian, and more.GED in AlaskaIn Alaska, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, through the Alaska Job Center Network, is responsible for the GED exam.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Exception with additional documentation -16Required additional documentation:Proof of school withdrawal and written permission parent or guardian, and more.GED in ArizonaThe Arizona Department of Education Arizona (Adult Education Services) is responsible for the GED exam in Arizona.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Exception with additional documentation -16Required additional documentation: Applicants must be officially withdrawn from the last school they attended and present a notarized and dated approval letter from a parent or guardian.GED in ArkansasThe Arkansas Department of Career Education (Adult Education) is responsible for GED testing in Arkansas.Minimum Age for Testing – 16Required additional documentation for 16 and 17-year-olds: They must prove official withdrawal from their last school and hold parental approval (or by a guardian).GED in CaliforniaThe California Department of Education is responsible for High School Equivalency testing in California.The state has approved three high school equivalency tests (TASC™, GED®, and HiSET®).Minimum Age for Testing – 18 (or within 60 days of your 18th birthday)17-year-olds must be officially out of high school for no less than 60 days. They must present a written request from a prospective employer, the military, or a post-secondary educational institution.17-year-old students who pass the GED test will not receive their California High School Equivalency Certificate until they will be 18 years old. If needed, they can receive a letter of intent that proves that the state holds their certificate pending their 18th birthday.GED in ColoradoThe Colorado Department of Education is responsible for the state’s HSE (high school equivalency) testing program.Colorado also approved three HSE tests (HiSET®, TASC™, and GED®.Minimum Age for Testing – 17Required additional documentation for 16-year-olds (among other): They must have been officially withdrawn from school and present written permission by a parent or guardian.GED in ConnecticutThe Connecticut State Department of Education is responsible for GED testing in Connecticut.Minimum Age for Testing – 19Required additional documentation for 17 and 18-year-olds:Applicants 17 and 18 years of age must be officially withdrawn from school for no less than months and hold permission by parent or guardian.In Connecticut, GED testing is free for state residents under the age of 21 and veterans. All others pay a $13 registration fee which includes the cost of the GED diploma.GED in DelawareIn Delaware, the state’s Department of Education is responsible for GED testing.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Required additional documentation:Applicants 16 or 17 years of age must have a waiver issued by the Delaware Department of Education.They must be Delaware residents, officially withdrawn from high school, and be 16 years old at the time they apply for an age waiver.GED in FloridaIn Florida, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) is responsible for GED testing in Florida.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Required additional documentation: 16 and 17 years old must have approval from their school districts before they can schedule test appointments. They must hold an age waiver as well as written parental consent.GED in GeorgiaThe Technical College System of Georgia (in cooperation with GED Testing Service) is responsible for GED testing in Georgia.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 and 17-year-olds must be officially withdrawn from high school, they are required to sign up for a state-approved adult education program, and have parental consent to be able to take the GED tests. Local Adult Education Centers can provide more information.GED in HawaiiThe Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) is responsible for GED or HiSET testing in HawaiiMinimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 and 17 years old are required to be officially withdrawn from their high school and must have permission from a parent or guardian to be able to take the GED or HiSET high school equivalency exam.GED in IdahoIn Idaho, the state’s Division of Career and Technical Education is responsible for GED testing.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age may also qualify if they are officially withdrawn from their high school program, have parental consent, and have applied for and received a GED Age Waiver.GED in IllinoisThe Illinois Community College Board (Adult Education & Literacy) is responsible for GED, TASC, and HiSET testing in Illinois.Minimum Age for Testing – 1817 year-olds must hold an official withdrawal letter from their last school and present a letter of consent from a parent or guardian.Applicants must also pass the Constitution Test to earn their High School Equivalency Certificate. Illinois uses three options, the HiSET, TASC, and GED exams.GED in IndianaThe Indiana Department of Workforce Development is responsible for HSE (high school equivalency) testing, in Indiana: TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion).Minimum Age for Testing – 18 and applicants must be Indiana residents.16 and 17-year-olds may also take the test if they have an exit interview form from the last school they attended as well as a letter of recommendation from their school and parental consent.GED in IowaThe Iowa Department of Education is responsible for high school equivalency testing in the state. Iowa uses the HiSET exam.Minimum Age for Testing – 1716-year-olds may also apply if they hold an official withdrawal form from their last school and parental consent.Students must sign up for an Adult Education and Literacy program, complete the pre-CASAS Assessment (Math & Reading), and pass the Official Practice Test (OPT).GED in KansasThe Kansas Board of Regents is responsible for GED testing in the state and issues the Kansas State High School Diploma upon successful completion of the four GED subtests.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds may also qualify, but they present a Compulsory School Attendance Disclaimer or a Compulsory Attendance Exemption Form signed by a parent or a legal guardian.These forms need to be from the school district in which the applicant resides.GED in KentuckyIn Kentucky, the Council on Postsecondary Education/Commonwealth of Kentucky is responsible for GED testing in the state.Minimum Age for Testing – 19Applicants aged 17 or 18 must be officially withdrawn from school for at least 90 days (certified by their school district) and hold parental consent to qualify for scheduling their tests (more restrictions apply so get well-informed).GED in LouisianaThe Louisiana Department of Education is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing (HiSET in Louisiana).Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 and 17-year-olds must enroll in a state-approved adult education program and hold an approved age waiver signed by the local superintendent and have official parental consent.GED in MaineThe Maine Department of Education (DOE) is responsible for the state’s HSE (high school equivalency) program. Maine uses the HiSET exam for this program.Minimum Age for Testing – 18You may qualify to take the HiSET exam at age 17 if you can prove that you been out of school for at least one year, are homeschooled, or hold a state-approved “Immediate Need” waiver.Sixteen-year-olds cannot take the high school equivalency test in Maine.GED in MarylandIn Maryland, the Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation is responsible for GED testing.Minimum Age for Testing – 18You must be a resident of Maryland and Maryland subsidizes GED testing. for state residents. Candidates under the age of 19 years need to be officially withdrawn from their high school program.16 and 17-year-olds may also be eligible if they additionally provide approval from the school district and from a parent or guardian. They must also meet some further criteria.GED in MassachusettsThe Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (High School Equivalency Office) is responsible for high school equivalency testing.Massachusetts uses two alternatives for this purpose, the HiSET, and the GED.Minimum Age for GED or HiSET Testing – 1816 or 17-year-olds may also qualify if they present an official Letter of Withdrawal from the last school they attended that was approved by the Massachusetts High School Equivalency Office. This document must include the last date of school attendance and date of withdrawal, and be issued and signed by the school’s Principal/Headmaster/Head of Guidance.GED in MichiganThe Michigan Workforce Development Agency (Division of Education and Career Success) is responsible for the state’s GED testing program.Minimum Age for Testing – 18The applicant’s former high school class must have graduated in order to receive a GED diploma.Applicants 16 and 17 years old may also take the GED tests if they are Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs graduates or completed the state’s National Guard Youth Challenge Program.GED in MinnesotaThe Minnesota Department of Education is responsible for GED testing in the state.Minimum Age for Testing – 19Applicants 17 and 18 years of age may also qualify for GED testing if they have been withdrawn from high school for no less than one year and meet some other requirements.GED in MississippiIn Mississippi, the State Department of Education is responsible for GED testing.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 and 17-year-old applicants may also qualify if they are a year behind their 9th-grade cohort and if the school’s superintendent determines that they are eligible to take the GED tests.GED in Missouriin Missouri, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is responsible for high school equivalency testing in the state.Missouri uses the HiSET exam for this purpose. Test takers must be residents of Missouri and not be enrolled in any school program.Minimum Age for Testing – 17Applicants who are 16 years old may also qualify if they provide sufficient credits toward high school graduation in addition to written permission from their last school’s superintendent or principal of the school last attended.Sixteen-year-old homeschoolers may also be eligible and must provide parental or guardian approval.GED in MontanaThe Montana Office of Public Instruction is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency program. Montana uses the HiSET exam for this purpose.Minimum Age for Testing – 19Younger applicants (16, 17, or 18 years old) may also qualify if they meet the state’s criteria and proved an Age Waiver.Applicants need to be residents of Montana and also provide proof that they live in Montana.GED in NebraskaThe Nebraska Department of Education is responsible for the state’s GED testing program.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Nebraska residents ages 16 and 17 may also be eligible for GED testing if they provide a handwritten letter that states the circumstances of withdrawal from their regular high school program and why they want to take the GED test. They must have been withdrawn from school for at least 30 days and meet more criteria.GED in NevadaThe Nevada Department of Education (Division Adult Education) is responsible for high school equivalency testing in Nevada.Nevada offers multiple options for this purpose, the GED, HiSET, and TASC exams. Test takers must be Nevada residents.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816-17-year old may also qualify under certain conditions. They are required to have the permission of withdrawal from their school district and signed parental permission.Younger test takers may also have to pass a practice test.GED in New HampshireIn New Hampshire, the Department of Education (Bureau of Adult Education) is responsible for high school equivalency testing (in New Hampshire: the HiSET exam).Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 or 17 years old may take the HiSET exam if they passed the Official HiSET Practice Test. They also must provide permission from their school district and a parent or guardian.GED in New JerseyThe New Jersey Department of Education is responsible for high school equivalency testing in the state.New Jersey offers all three nationally available options, the GED, TASC, and HiSET exams.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 and 17-year-old test takers must prove that they are not enrolled in a school program and present permission from a parent or legal guardian.Test takers must be New Jersey residents.GED in New MexicoThe New Mexico Public Education Department is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency program.The state offers two options, the HiSET exam and the GED test.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants ages 16 and 17 can also take the GED or HiSET exam if they have a permission form from their school district as well as consent from a parent or legal guardian.GED in New York StateIn New York State, the New York State Education Department (Adult Career & Continuing Education Services) is responsible for high school equivalency testing.New York State uses the TASC exam for this purpose.Minimum Age for Testing – 16For 16, 17, and 18-year-olds there are restrictions and extra requirements.GED in North CarolinaIn North Carolina, high school equivalency testing is administered by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.The state offers three exams for this purpose, GED, HiSET, and TASC. Note that not all options may be available at the state’s community colleges.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Students ages 16 and 17 years may be eligible, though, if they meet certain requirements. They should contact their local community college’s Basic Skills Director to get permission for taking the high school equivalency exam.GED in North DakotaThe North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is responsible for GED testing.GED instruction is available at the Adult Learning Centers and satellite locations across North Dakota and also online at this website.Minimum Age for Testing – 16Students who take part in GED prep classes at a North Dakota Adult Learning Center (or satellite location) before testing may qualify to have the testing fee of the first and last test paid (if passed) by the Bank of North Dakota.Applicants must also pass a Civics exam.GED in OhioThe Ohio State Department of Education (Ohio High School Equivalence Office) is responsible for high school equivalency (GED ) testing in the state.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816, 17, and 18-year-olds may take the GED tests if they are officially withdrawn from their high school without a diploma and those applicants ages 16 and 17 must also provide a consent form signed by a parent, legal guardian, or court official.GED in OklahomaThe Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE – Adult Education Basic Division) is responsible for HSE (high school equivalency) testing in Oklahoma. Oklahoma offers three options, the HiSET, TASC, and GED exams.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 or 17 years of age may also qualify to take the HSE test if they have permission from their school district, a parent or legal guardian, and a school administrator.GED in OregonIn Oregon, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) – Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) – is responsible for the state’s GED testing program.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 and 17 years old may also qualify if they are officially withdrawn from high school, hold permission from their school district, are married or legally emancipated.Younger applicants may also qualify if they are enrolled in an Oregon Option Program for In-School Youth.GED in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania’s State Department of Education is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing program.Pennsylvania offers two options for this purpose, the GED and HiSET exams. Successful test takers will receive the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD).Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 or 17-year-olds who are officially withdrawn from secondary school may also qualify if they have completed an Age Waiver form, hold an official letter from an employer stating the applicant must pass the GED or HiSET exam for employment purposes.A letter from a post-secondary educational institution or a branch of the Armed Services requesting permission will also do, just like an official request from a state institution in which the applicant is a resident, patient, or inmate.Test takers will not receive their Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma before they turn 18. Until then they will be issued a transcript.GED in Rhode IslandRhode Island’s Department of Education is responsible for high school equivalency testing. The High School Equivalency Diploma (GED ) is administered by testing centers authorized by Rhode Island’s Board of Education.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Rhode Island residents ages 16 or 17 can also take the GED tests if they are officially withdrawn from school or provide an official Alternative Learning Plan. There are also RhodeIsland school districts that provide a high school diploma to test takers who successfully complete the National External Diploma Program (NEDP).GED in South CarolinaSouth Carolina’s Department of Education (Office of Adult Education/GED ) is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency program. South Carolina additionally introduced the two available alternative tests HiSET and TASC.Minimum Age for Testing – 19Applicants 17 or 18 years of age may be eligible for testing if they hold a South Carolina “Verification of School Withdrawal” form signed by an official from the school they last attended.16-year-olds may qualify if they are under the jurisdiction of DJJ.GED in South DakotaThe South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation is responsible for sta state’s high school equivalency (GED ) testing program.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 and 17-year-old applicants may also take the GED test if a school administrator states that the applicant has credit deficiency;if they are authorized by a court officer; if there is a court order requiring GED testing;if the applicant is under the direction of the state’s Department of Corrections;or if the applicant is enrolled in a Job Corps Program.GED in TennesseeTennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing program.Tennessee is using the HiSET exam for this purpose.Minimum Age for Testing – 1817-year-olds may also qualify if they have an age waiver form signed by the Director of Schools and if they partake in a state-approved HiSET Option Program. Sixteen-year-olds cannot take the HiSET in Tennessee.There is no state residency requirement in Tennessee.GED in TexasThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing program.Texas offers all three nationally available exams, GED, HiSET, and TASC. Successful test takers will receive the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE). Applicants must be residents of Texas.Minimum Age for Testing – 1817-year-olds may qualify if they are officially withdrawn from school and have permission from a parent or guardian.16-year-olds may qualify if they under the direction of a state agency or a Family Code court order, or if they partake in a Texas Job Corps program or the Texas Challenge Academy.GED in UtahUtah’s State Board of Education is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency (GED ) program.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Younger applicants (16 or 17 years of age) may also qualify if they provide an official letter from the school they last attended or from their school district that states that the applicant is formally withdrawn from a K-12 education program.They must additionally provide a signed permission letter from a parent or legal guardian (note that a marriage certificate can also be used for this purpose).GED in VermontVermont’s Agency of Education is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing. Vermont Adult Learning (VAL) offers prep facilities all through the state.Minimum Age for Testing – 1816 and 17-year-old applicants may also be eligible to take the GED tests if they hold written permission from a parent or a legal guardian. In Vermont, there are no further restrictions for these younger test takers.GED in VirginiaVirginia’s Department of Education (VDOE – HSE/ GED Office) is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing program.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 and 17 years old may also take the GED tests if they have officially completed a home instruction program;if their school board released them from compulsory attendance; if they are ISAEP students and scored at least 145 on all GED Ready practice tests;if they have written permission from the state Department of Correctional Education;if they have official documentation stating they have been expelled from school;or if there is a court order that they must participate in the GED testing program.GED in Washington StateThe Washington State Board of Education is responsible for the GED high school equivalency testing program in Washington State.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Candidates 16 and 17 years of age may also qualify if they are officially withdrawn from school and if they hold documentation stating that they must take the GED exam to attend a post-secondary educational institution, to enter the military, or for employment purposes.These younger applicants must have permission from a parent, guardian, or legal custodian.GED in Washington D.C.The Washington D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education is responsible for high school equivalency (GED ) testing in the District of Columbia.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 and 17 years of age may also take the GED exam if they have written permission from a parent or a legal guardian and have been officially out of school for at least six months.There are more requirements and young applicants who are in an out-of-home placement program of the juvenile justice system or who are incarcerated may also be eligible for under-age GED testing if they are enrolled in a federal law GED program.GED in West VirginiaWest Virginia’s Department of Education is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing program.West Virginia uses the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) for this purpose.Minimum Age for Testing – 16There are specific guidelines for applicants 16, 17, or 18 years of age.Applicants under 18 years of age need to provide consent from a parent or legal guardian unless they are court-ordered, emancipated, or married.They all must first pass the TASC Readiness Assessment (TRA).GED in WisconsinThe Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency (GED ) testing program. A civics test must also be passed.Minimum Age for Testing – 18.5Applicants need to demonstrate that at the time of testing, they are at least 18.5 years of age or that their 9th-grade high school class has graduated.Applicants ages 17 to 18.5 may also qualify years if they have permission from their school district, through a juvenile correctional facility, or if they are signed up for the Challenge Academy.GED in WyomingWyoming’s Department of Education, through the Wyoming Community College Commission, is responsible for the state’s high school equivalency testing.Wyoming offers all three nationally available testing options: GED, TASC, and HiSET.Minimum Age for Testing – 18Applicants 16 and 17 years old may also qualify for the Wyoming High School Equivalency Certificate (HSEC) if they hold an Age Waiver.16-year-olds must additionally provide written permission from a parent, a guardian, an adult basic education instructor or a GED Examiner.A court order may also qualify these youngsters for HSE testing.

Recitation of the pledge of allegiance is very common in American schools, but no student can be required to participate, in keeping with a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943). Ever since then, any student who wants to opt out of saying the pledge, or of even standing for the pledge, must be allowed to do so.About twenty states have laws requiring the pledge in the public schools, but nearly all of these also mention the opt-out. Most other states have laws providing for the “opportunity” to say the pledge, or similarly vague language. Only about four apparently don’t mention it at all: Hawaii, Iowa, Vermont, and Wyoming.So the pledge is very common, but not required.Here is a rundown on state laws that is available on the Internet. It looks pretty authoritative, but I am not able to verify its accuracy:State Statutes Regarding the Pledge of Allegiance1.Alabama, Ala.Code 1975 § 16-43-5 “…The State Board of Education shall afford all students attending public kindergarten, primary and secondary schools the opportunity each school day to voluntarily recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States Flag.”2.Alaska, AS § 14.03.130 “The governing body shall require that the pledge of allegiance be recited regularly, as determined by the governing body….A school district shall inform all affected persons at the school of their right not to participate in the pledge of allegiance.”3.Arizona A.R.S. § 15-506 “School districts and charter schools shall: Set aside a specific time each day for those students who wish to recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag”4.Arkansas, A.C.A. § 6-16-108 “The State Board of Education shall adopt a policy to require that public school students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12) participate in a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance during the first class of each school day. …The policy shall provide that no student shall be compelled to recite the Pledge of Allegiance if the student or the student's parent or legal guardian objects to the student's participating in the exercise on religious, philosophical, or other grounds.”5.California, West's Ann.Cal.Educ.Code § 52720 “In every public elementary school each day during the school year at the beginning of the first regularly scheduled class or activity period at which the majority of the pupils of the school normally begin the schoolday, there shall be conducted appropriate patriotic exercises. The giving of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America shall satisfy the requirements of this section.”6.Colorado, C.R.S.A. § 22-1-106 “Each school district shall provide an opportunity each school day for willing students to recite the pledge of allegiance in public elementary and secondary educational institutions. Any person not wishing to participate in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be exempt from reciting the pledge of allegiance and need not participate.”7.Connecticut, C.G.S.A. § 10-230 “Each local and regional board of education shall develop a policy to ensure that time is available each school day for students in the schools under its jurisdiction to recite the "Pledge of Allegiance".”8.Delaware, Del.C. § 4105 “In the opening exercises of every free public school each morning, the teachers and pupils assembled shall salute and pledge allegiance to the American flag as follows:”9.Florida, West's F.S.A. § 1003.44 “The pledge of allegiance to the flag shall be recited at the beginning of the day in each public elementary, middle, and high school in the state. Each student shall be informed by posting a notice in a conspicuous place that the student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge.” *See Frazier ex rel. Frazier v. Winn, C.A.11 (Fla.)2008, 535 F.3d 127910.Georgia, Ga. Code Ann., § 20-2-310 “Each student in the public schools of this state shall be afforded the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America during each school day.”11.Idaho, I.C. § 33-1602 “Every public school shall offer the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem in grades one (1) through twelve (12) at the beginning of each school day.”12.Illinois, 105 ILCS 5/27-3 “The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited each school day by pupils in elementary and secondary educational institutions supported or maintained in whole or in part by public funds.”13.Indiana, IC 20-30-5-0.5 “The governing body of each school corporation shall provide a daily opportunity for students of the school corporation to voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom or on school grounds.”14.Kansas, K.S.A. 72-5308. “The state board of education shall prepare for the use of the public schools a program providing for patriotic exercises the board deems to be expedient, under such instructions as may best meet the varied requirements of the different grades in such schools. The program of patriotic observation of every school district shall include: (1) A daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America”15.Kentucky, KRS § 158.175 “The board of education of each school district shall establish a policy and develop procedures whereby the pupils in each elementary and secondary school may participate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States at the commencement of each school day.”16.*Louisiana, LSA-R.S. 17:2115 “Each parish and city school board in the state shall also permit the proper authorities of each school to allow the opportunity for group recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag". Such recitation shall occur at the commencement of the first class of each day in all grades and in all public schools.”17.Maine, 20-A M.R.S.A. § 4010 “A school administrative unit shall allow every student enrolled in the school administrative unit the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at some point during a school day in which students are required to attend. A school administrative unit may not require a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”18.Maryland, MD Code, Education § 7-105 “Each county board shall: Require all students and teachers in charge to stand and face the flag and while standing give an approved salute and recite in unison the pledge of allegiance as follows: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”… Any student or teacher who wishes to be excused from the requirements of subsection (c)(3) of this section shall be excused.”19.Massachusetts, M.G.L.A. 71 § 69 “Each teacher at the commencement of the first class of each day in all grades in all public schools shall lead the class in a group recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag".”20.Michigan, M.C.L.A. 380.1347a “Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, the board of a school district or intermediate school district or board of directors of a public school academy shall ensure that an opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States is offered each school day to all public school pupils in each public school it operates.”21.Minnesota, M.S.A. § 121A.11 “All public and charter school students shall recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America one or more times each week. school district or charter school that has a student handbook or school policy guide must include a statement that anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for any personal reasons may elect not to do so and that students must respect another person's right to make that choice.”22.Mississippi, Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-7 “The pledge of allegiance to the Mississippi flag shall be taught in the public schools of this state, along with the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.”23.Missouri, V.A.M.S. 171.021 “Every school in this state which is supported in whole or in part by public moneys shall ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America is recited in at least one scheduled class of every pupil enrolled in that school no less often than once per week. No student shall be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”24.Montana, MCA 20-7-133 “Except as provided in subsection (4), the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America must be recited in all public schools of the state.”25.Nevada, N.R.S. 389.040 “Each public school shall set aside appropriate time at the beginning of each school day for pupils to pledge their allegiance to the flag of the United States.”26.New Hampshire, N.H. Rev. Stat. § 194:15-c “A school district shall authorize a period of time during the school day for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Pupil participation in the recitation of the pledge of allegiance shall be voluntary.”27.New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 18A:36-3 “Every board of education shall: Require the pupils in each school in the district on every school day to salute the United States flag and repeat the following pledge of allegiance to the flag.”28.New Mexico, N. M. S. A. 1978, § 22-5-4.5 “Local school boards shall provide that the pledge of allegiance shall be recited daily in each public school in the school district according to regulations adopted by the state board [department].”29.New York, McKinney's Education Law § 802 “It shall be the duty of the commissioner to prepare, for the use of the public schools of the state, a program providing for a salute to the flag and a daily pledge of allegiance to the flag, and instruction in its correct use and display which shall include, as a minimum, specific instruction regarding respect for the flag of the United States of America, its display and use as provided by federal statute and regulation and such other patriotic exercises as may be deemed by him to be expedient, under such regulations and instructions as may best meet the varied requirements of the different grades in such schools.”30.North Carolina, N.C.G.S.A. § 116-69.1 “The school shall (i) display the United States and North Carolina flags in each classroom when available, (ii) require the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis, and (iii) provide instruction on the meaning and historical origins of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.” The school shall not compel any person to stand, salute the flag, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. If flags are donated or are otherwise available, flags shall be displayed in each classroom.31.*North Dakota, NDCC, 15.1-19-03.1 “A school board may authorize the voluntary recitation of the pledge of allegiance by a teacher or one or more students at the beginning of each schoolday. A student may not be required to recite the pledge of allegiance, stand during the recitation of the pledge of allegiance, or salute the American flag.”32.*Ohio, R.C. § 3313.602 “The board of education of each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district shall adopt a policy specifying whether or not oral recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the flag shall be a part of the school's program and, if so, establishing a time and manner for the recitation.”33.Oklahoma, 70 http://Okl.St.Ann. § 24-106 “Students are authorized to recite, at the beginning of each school day, the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America as enumerated at 36 U.S.C., Section 172. Each student shall be informed by posting a notice in a conspicuous place that students not wishing to participate in the pledge shall not be required to do so.”34.Oregon HB 3014 (2013)35.Pennsylvania, 24 P.S. § 7-771 “All supervising officers and teachers in charge of public, private or parochial schools shall cause the Flag of the United States of America to be displayed in every classroom during the hours of each school day and shall provide for the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or the national anthem at the beginning of each school day” *see Circle Schools v. Pappert, 381 F.3d 172, 173+, 191 Ed. Law Rep. 629, 629+ (3rd Cir.(Pa.) Aug 19, 2004) (NO. 03-3285) regarding private schools36.Rhode Island, Gen.Laws § 16-22-11. “All public schools, commencing with preprimary school through and including high school, shall commence each day with the following pledge: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”…Any person not wishing to participate in the “pledge of allegiance” is exempt from participation and need not participate in the pledge.”37.South Carolina, Code 1976 § 59-1-455 “Beginning with the 1991-92 school year, all public school students, commencing with grades kindergarten through and including high school, shall during the course of each school day's activities at a specific time which must be designated by the local school say the Pledge of Allegiance”38.*South Dakota, SDCL § 13-24-17.2 “The right to recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States shall not be limited or infringed upon, and the national anthem may be sung during any school day or school event.”39.Tennessee, T. C. A. § 49-6-1001 “Each board of education shall require the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom in the school system in which a flag is displayed.”40.Texas, V.T.C.A., Education Code § 25.082 “The board of trustees of each school district and the governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall require students, once during each school day at each campus , to recite:(1) the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Section 4.”41.Utah, U.C.A. 1953 § 53A-13-101.6 “The pledge of allegiance to the flag shall be recited once at the beginning of each day in each public school classroom in the state, led by a student in the classroom, as assigned by the classroom teacher on a rotating basis.”42.Virginia, VA Code Ann. § 22.1-202 “Each school board shall require the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in each classroom of the school division and shall ensure that the flag of the United States is in place in each such classroom”43.Washington, West's RCWA 28A.230.140 “The board of directors of every school district shall cause a United States flag being in good condition to be displayed during school hours upon or near every public school plant, except during inclement weather. They shall cause appropriate flag exercises to be held in each classroom at the beginning of the school day, and in every school at the opening of all school assemblies, at which exercises those pupils so desiring shall recite the following salute to the flag: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. Students not reciting the pledge shall maintain a respectful silence. The salute to the flag or the national anthem shall be rendered immediately preceding interschool events when feasible.”44.West Virginia, W. Va. Code, § 18-5-15b “Every instructional day in the public schools of this state shall be commenced with a pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States. Pupils who do not wish to participate in this exercise shall be excused from making such pledge.”45.Wisconsin, W.S.A. 118.06 “Every public school shall offer the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem in grades one to 12 each school day. Every private school shall offer the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem in grades one to 12 each school day unless the governing body of the private school determines that the requirement conflicts with the school's religious doctrines. No pupil may be compelled, against the pupil's objections or those of the pupil's parents or guardian, to recite the pledge or to sing the anthem.”