Opt-out rate rises in Seaford

Two-thirds of Seaford students refused to take the New York state English Language Arts assessment last week.

The “opt-out” movement has gained steam in the district and across Long Island in the past four years, since the new Common Core tests were first implemented in 2013. The exams are given to students in third through eighth grade. Parents have expressed concerns with the tests, saying they are written above grade level, cause students unnecessary stress and force teachers to focus on test preparation.

According to figures released by the district last week, 742 of 1,095 students in the six testing grades refused the tests, or 68 percent. The opt-out rate in Seaford climbed from 25 percent in 2014 to 61 percent last year.

“We did have a sizable refusal rate,” said Superintendent Brian Conboy, adding that his hope is that the state will develop tests that parents as well as educators can be confident in.

The highest refusal rate this year was at the middle school, where 144 of 200 eighth-graders — 72 percent — did not take the test. Opt-out rates were also higher at Seaford Manor Elementary School than at the Harbor School.

“I’m happy with the numbers,” said Michelle Vitale, who has a daughter in eighth grade and a son in sixth grade. “I’d like to say that people are starting to realize the damaging effect the tests are having on kids, how not age appropriate the tests are.”

Four years ago, her children were among a handful refusing the tests. For the last two years, they have been in the majority.

Vitale said her concern is that the tests are given so late in the school year that the results, which are released in the summer, don’t provide any meaningful feedback to the teachers.

Heather Umhafer, the leader of Seaford’s opt-out movement, said she was unsure if the numbers would rise from last year, but it appeared there was a late wave of parents turning in their refusal letters.

“The numbers seem to be larger this year across the board,” she said. “I think people are fed up with the state not listening to the parents. They really have to make some serious changes.”