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LAS VEGAS (AP) — More Nevada students opted out of the state-mandated Common Core test this year compared to last year, when technical issues caused a system-wide meltdown that left most unable to finish the exam.
The opt-outs were slightly up statewide for the Spring 2016 testing period. Elementary and middle school students take the Smarter Balanced Assessment, which helps track the reading and math progress of each student and school in the country, the Las Vegas Sun (http://bit.ly/29OYrE8 ) reported.
The opt-outs decreased in Clark County, the largest district in the state and the fifth-largest in the country. School records show that 56 students opted out of the assessment this year, while 75 sat out the exam in 2015.
The unofficial leader of Nevada's opt-out movement, real estate agent John Eppolito, says opt-out rates are low because a lack of media coverage has left many families unaware of issues with the test.
"It's very hard to educate parents. Most don't have any idea what's going on," he said. "If parents knew, a lot more would opt out."
Eppolito led a charge to ban Common Core during last year's legislative session.
The online assessment has attracted controversy for a couple reasons. Eppolito and some other activists worry that the test is being used by the federal government to collect personal data on students, although education data groups like the Data Quality Campaign say the information is aggregated by the time it reaches them.
Others say the test is intrusive and stressful, not only for students but for school staff as well. The exams can take hours to days to finish.
The legality of opting out of standardized tests is somewhat unclear. Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt reviewed the issue and said it was up to each school district to decide how to handle test refusals.
Parents in Clark County have to fill out a form acknowledging the consequences for schools when students don't take the test. And Kim Punzal said she has been bombarded with emails and voicemails from school staff asking her to reconsider letter her son take the exam at Ober Elementary in Summerlin.
The district said administrators don't stop principals and teachers from reaching out to parents directly.
"Principals are educators, and they're always going to have conversations about what's best for the students," said Mike Barton, the district's chief student achievement officer.
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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com
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