The numbers are in. Thousands of students across Western New York sat out the first day of the English Language Arts state tests. WBFO'S Focus on Education reporter Eileen Buckley says some of the highest numbers occurred in the West Seneca School District.
"For a number of years now, we've had a bad system forced upon us. We have worked very hard to educate parents and students," said Joe Cantafio, President of the West Seneca Teachers Association.
About 70% or more than 2,000 students in 3rd through 8th grades opted out of the English Language Arts exam in the West Seneca School District.
The union leader considers opt out a victory for students, teachers and democracy.
"We trust parents to make the best decision for their children," said Cantafio.
Many of the parents and students that participated say it is 'civil disobedience', calling it a way of fighting back against too much Common Core testing.
For the teachers, it's a battle against Governor Cuomo and making changes for students.
In the Lake Shore Central School District, about 57% of students opted out in the Lake Shore Central School District.
Schools Superintendent James Przepasniak said he was not surprised by the numbers saying, "We've been receiving letters from out parents over the past week or so," said Przepasniak. The superintendent tells WBFO News he expects similar opt out numbers next week for the math exam. But Przepasniak discourages parents from opting out, saying the testing is still needed to gage a students progress.
In the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District, where just last week the school board backed off of a boycott of state testing, the District's opt out tally is at about 37%.
The Buffalo School District tells WBFO News they won't have final numbers until after the make-up day on Friday for the ELA's. The city district does not hand out refusal forms ahead of the tests.
