‘Opt-outs’ rise again

More than 1,000 kids refuse math tests

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After a record number of students opted out of English Language Arts assessments for three-though-eighth graders April 14 to 16, that number continued to grow last week during the three-day math assessments for the same students.

According to Dr. Cynthia Seniuk, assistant superintendent for curriculum, 1,019 students refused the math exams, up from 856 students who refused the ELA portion. District officials said that 2,203 students were eligible for the exams. Thirty-nine percent of students refused the ELA exams while 46 percent opted out of the math portion.

The “opt-out” movement began two years ago, with the implementation of exams tied to the Common Core State Standards. Each year in Baldwin, and communities across Long Island, the movement has grown. A little more than 250 students refused last year’s assessments.