Fewer Long Island students chose to opt out of New York’s standardized testing last spring, compared to two years ago.
43% of students boycotted state assessments for grades 3 through 8 this year. That’s a big drop from 2017 when half of students boycotted the tests during the peak of Long Island’s opt-out movement.
The state Education Department has since shortened the test and reworked Common Core standards. New tests with more updates will be introduced in 2021.
Long Island is still the region with the highest opt-out numbers in the state. Opponents say the tests are too long and don’t reflect student ability.
The Education Department says it gives parents and school districts valid information on student achievement.