By Emily Auers, M.S. CCC-SLP
Recently, members of the Board of Trustees have engaged in helpful conversations with parents about opting out of i-Ready, and we sincerely appreciate their willingness to listen and respond. While important questions remain, these conversations represent meaningful progress in the right direction, and we hope continued dialogue will bring greater clarity and consistency for families across the district.
Context
During the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees meeting on July 28, a parent spoke about their concerns with i-Ready and their own experience navigating the system.
The parent shared that their children have been opted out of the i-Ready diagnostic assessments and weekly Personalized Instruction lessons for the past two-and-a-half years.
They encouraged other parents to ask questions about their options and raised concerns about whether those options are being communicated clearly to families. The parent later clarified to WPC that they were initially told that opting out of the i-Ready weekly lessons was not an option.
Other families report receiving similar responses, but their requests ended with the initial denial. The difference appears to be in what happens next.
Rather than accepting the initial denial, the parent from the meeting responded by revoking their consent for their children to use the i-Ready software platform.
“The district says parents cannot opt out. I informed each of the schools that my children would not participate, and on both occasions the two schools accommodated my decision,” the parent said. “I provide books to read and drawing supplies. On testing days, I let them get extra sleep or take them to work with me.”
This parent expressed appreciation for a school administrator who understood that they were advocating for their children rather than trying to be adversarial.
Nevada Law Recognizes Parents as Active Participants
Nevada law does not treat parents as passive participants in their children’s education.
NRS 392.457 directs Nevada’s parental and family engagement framework to include the empowerment of parents and families to advocate for their children. It also promotes an equal partnership between parents, families, and schools in making decisions that affect children and in influencing school policies, practices, and programs.
NRS 392.4575, which governs Nevada’s educational involvement accords, identifies school responsibilities that include providing proper instruction and interaction, maximizing each pupil’s educational and social experience, seeking the best interests of each pupil, and making school staff available to parents to discuss concerns regarding their children.
These laws do not, by themselves, establish a specific statutory right to opt a child out of i-Ready.
But they establish something important:
Nevada’s statutory framework expressly recognizes and encourages parents as advocates and partners in their children’s education.
Parents are not merely passive recipients of educational decisions. Nevada’s parental-engagement framework contemplates parents asking questions, communicating with schools, advocating for their children and participating meaningfully in decisions affecting their education.
What WCSD Has Told Parents
A member of the Washoe Parent Coalition reached out directly to a WCSD trustee about both components of i-Ready: the diagnostic assessments and the weekly Personalized Instruction lessons.
The trustee explained that i-Ready is a district-adopted instructional resource and assessment tool approved for use in WCSD schools.
The trustee was also clear that WCSD does not have a formal opt-out right specifically for i-Ready lessons or diagnostic assessments and that schools are expected to implement adopted curriculum, instructional materials, and assessment systems as directed by the district.
Importantly, the trustee’s response did not simply end with “no.”
The trustee acknowledged that families have differing perspectives regarding instructional screen time and digital learning tools and encouraged parents with concerns to contact their school principal, who can review the situation and provide appropriate support.
That was helpful guidance, and WPC appreciates the willingness of trustees to engage constructively with parents on this issue.
What Actually Requires a Student to Use This Particular Platform?
If WCSD considers i-Ready Personalized Instruction mandatory for every student, parents can reasonably ask the district to identify the policy, regulation, curriculum adoption, or statutory authority establishing that requirement.
Parents should be able to understand not only that something is being described as “required,” but what authority makes it required and whether that requirement applies to the underlying curriculum, the instructional resource selected to teach it, or both.
A requirement that a student learn mathematics or English language arts is not necessarily the same question as whether that student must receive part of that instruction through the i-Ready software platform.
Questions are not inherently adversarial. Asking for clarity about an instructional decision affecting your child is responsible advocacy.
You can ask:
“Please point me to the WCSD policy, regulation, curriculum adoption, or Nevada statute that requires my child to use this specific digital instructional platform.”
Communicate your concerns clearly and respectfully.
Respect does not require agreement.
Remember: Teachers and principals are often implementing district expectations they did not create. A respectful approach helps keep the focus where it belongs: on the child and the educational concern being raised.
Four Step Takeaway For Families Who Want to Opt Out:
Start with your school.
Follow the steps outlined here to revoke your consent for either the i-Ready assessments, weekly lessons or both.
If you are told you cannot revoke your consent, ask for the written authority that overrides your parental consent.
If your concern remains unresolved, continue respectfully through the appropriate district channels.
Ultimately, Parents Have a Decision to Make
Based on the records and communications WPC has reviewed, WCSD’s position is that i-Ready is a district-adopted instructional resource and assessment tool, schools are expected to implement district-adopted materials and assessment systems, and there is no formal i-Ready opt-out right recognized by the district.
Parents should understand that position.
But understanding an argument is not the same thing as being persuaded by it.
WPC remains unconvinced that describing i-Ready Personalized Instruction as “curriculum” fully resolves the question of whether an individual child must use a particular digital instructional platform over an expressed lack of parental consent.
If you believe this form of instruction is not appropriate for your child, you ultimately have a decision to make: accept the district’s position, or continue to withhold your consent.
Nevada’s parental-involvement framework expressly recognizes parents as advocates and partners in their children’s education.
Parents should feel empowered to fulfill that role.
The goal is informed parental advocacy.
WPC is here to help parents understand the process, formulate their questions, and advocate for an alternative when they believe i-Ready is not the right fit for their child.
If you have asked your school about opting out of i-Ready, WPC would like to hear about your experience.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. WPC is not advising parents that Nevada law creates a specific legal right to opt out of i-Ready. Rather, we encourage families to understand their rights, ask questions, request applicable policies and guidance, and advocate for their children. Laws, regulations, district policies, and individual circumstances may differ. Parents seeking advice about their specific legal rights or situation should consult a qualified attorney.
This page is managed and written by Emily Auers who also has a personal Substack
Sources & Supporting Materials
Direct correspondence between a WCSD parent and a WCSD trustee — July 2026. The trustee stated that WCSD does not have a formal opt-out right specifically for i-Ready lessons or diagnostic assessments and directed families with concerns to contact their school principal for individual review and appropriate support.
Parent communications shared with WPC — July–August 2026. Accounts from WCSD parents regarding requests to decline i-Ready or receive alternative instruction. Identifying information has been withheld to protect families’ privacy.
Source Note: Some sources cited in this article are private correspondence provided directly to WPC. Statements based on those communications are characterized as parent or trustee reports rather than presented as independent findings.
