Principal Guidance for Testing During Ramadan
Dear Building Leaders,
The following was created through collaboration between Assessment and Family
Community Partnerships, as well as consultation with an expert in the observance of
Ramadan. Thank you for your interest and willingness to support all students during
state summative testing. Please contact us with any additional questions and/or
concerns you may have.
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The Ramadan observance will begin around May 4 or 5, as it is based on the lunar
calendar, and will end around the first week of June.
Some students may participate in fasting, where they will not eat during daylight
hours.
Fasting students can be supported by scheduling tests earlier in the school day
when their energy levels may be higher. Try to avoid later in the school day if
possible.
The last 10 days of Ramadan are known to be the most difficult for fasting
students; something to keep in mind when scheduling tests.
Families may allow their children to break the fast for important school events, or
participate in partial day fasting, if they know in advance.
Staff should monitor fasting students for fatigue during this time.
If a parent requests testing to occur before the start of Ramadan for their child,
you can make a reasonable attempt to honor that request.
While it is common practice to offer snacks to students during testing, staff should
take into consideration that a fasting student would not be able to eat.
Teachers may create projects for students to work on quietly at lunch time. Schools
may also provide a quiet reading/resting room for students during lunch/snack
time.
Consider having an alternate lunch location for students who are fasting.
Inform all families of your school’s testing dates as soon as possible.

Thank you and best wishes for the summative testing season!

Will Hodges
Mwamba
State Testing Coordinator
Partnerships

Audrey Roach

Anita Koyier-

Assessments Manager

Family & Community

wthodges@seattleschools.org
amroach@seattleschools.org
aakoyiermwam@seattleschools.org