The number of students opting out of standardized tests in New York City has tripled this year, according to a recent NY1 story:
“Advocates estimate that more than 1,000 city students will opt out this year, more than triple the number from last year. Although state education officials insist that the tests are mandatory, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña told city principals last week that they should respect the parents’ decisions.”
Though the overall percentage of students opting out is tiny, a majority of students at several schools in Brooklyn have chosen not to take the test. It’s unclear what effect that will have on school report cards, which became integral under Mayor Michael Bloomberg.