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A bill allowing students to refuse standardized tests passed New Jersey's Assembly Education Committee on Thursday. (Ty Wright | AP Photo )

TRENTON — New Jersey schools would have to accommodate students who don't want to take standardized tests and a task force would study the implementation and effectiveness of PARCC under bills approved today by the state Assembly Education Committee.

The two-bill package is the latest legislation aimed at the ongoing Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exams, new computerized tests in math and English for grades 3-11. Both bills would need approval from the full state Assembly and Senate as well as Gov. Chris Christie before becoming laws.

The state currently has no formal policy on whether students can refuse a standardized test, leaving school districts to decide on their own how to handle students who "opt out."

Some districts have allowed students to read in another room, but other districts have made students stay in the classroom during testing.

A Hope Township eighth grader testified at Thursday's committee meeting that she was forced to stare at her blank computer screen, and a Clark Township teen told NJ Advance Media earlier this week he was pressured into taking PARCC even though he had submitted a refusal letter.

Under the proposed opt out bill (A4165) a student's parent or guardian would have 14 days before the test is given to notify the school district or charter school, in writing, that the student will not be taking the test. The school would then be required to provide "educationally appropriate alternative activities" in another room for students not taking the test.

"Not every parent will want their child to opt out of the test," said Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Essex), one of the bill's co-sponsors, "but those who do should have that option."

The second bill (A4268) would create a task force to study what the state has done to support the administration of PARCC, how much it costs school districts and whether school were technologically ready for PARCC. The panel would also be charged with studying the use of students results and confidential student and family data.

A final report would be due no later than six months after the task force organizes, and it would need to hold at least four public hearings.

Other proposed PARCC legislation already approved by the Assembly, including a bill that would delay any impact of PARCC on students and teacher for three years, has not yet been discussed by the Senate Education Committee.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.