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Don't want your kid to take an FSA test? You'll be hearing from the principal

Saanich school district principals will confirm with parents why their child won't take a Foundation Skills Assessment test

The Saanich school board is returning to old ways of dealing with Foundation Skills Assessment tests exemptions in its schools.

"This year the recommendation going to the board is that it return to the normal practice," said board chair Wayne Hunter. "It's different than Victoria and different than last year. We're saying that according to the ministry there are three exemptions and parents have to exempt [kids] under one of those three."

The board is returning to the practice in place until 2010. Prior to that, when parents sought exemption for a child from the FSA tests a school principal would contact the parent to clarify the requirement of FSA testing and ensure the exemption was valid. The three criteria for exemption are emergency, extended illness or extenuating circumstances. The past two years principals were instructed to allow all exemptions requested.

FSA tests are administered between mid January and the end of February to Grade 4 and 7 students.