APRIL 27, 2016

CONTACT: JOHN COLLINS, 212-681-1380

ICYMI: Students in Cities Across New York State Continue to Opt In

(New York, NY) – The latest data from the state’s major cities shows that New York families are continuing to say yes to the

test.

The New York Daily News: “Opt-out rates in the city are holding steady at about 2 percent, which is similar to last year,

according to activists with United to Counter the Core.” (Read the full article here: http://nydn.us/1qNdn8m)

City & State: “Opt-out numbers remain low in Buffalo, other New York cities… Buffalo Public Schools posted opt-out rates that

fell from 9 percent to 7.7 percent on English language arts and from 15 percent to 8 percent on the math tests, preliminary

numbers compiled by the opt-out advocacy group United to Counter the Core show.” (Read the full article here:

http://bit.ly/26saASB)

The Journal News: “About 8 percent of Yonkers students opted out of math exams and 6.25 percent opted out of ELA state

exams, down from 11 percent on math and 7 percent on ELA in 2015.” (Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/1SNspYg;

http://bit.ly/1WRKa8F)

Syracuse Post-Standard: “The number of students refusing to take the state math assessment exams last week dropped

slightly at most school districts in Onondaga County... Based on the percentages reported by school districts, the median

percentage of students opting out of the math tests declined from 29 percent last year to 26 percent this year.” In the Syracuse

School District, opt out rates remained flat on English tests and dropped 2 percent on Math tests. (Read the full article here:

http://bit.ly/1SNpZsO)

ABOUT HIGH ACHIEVEMENT NEW YORK

High Achievement New York provides New York parents, teachers, business and community leaders with an organized

platform to support the Common Core, as well as provide information on what the new standards will mean for our

children and the future of New York State. It seeks to provide community and educator driven solutions to issues that

arise as Common Core is integrated into local schools.

Coalition members include: Albany Colonie Chamber of Commerce, America Achieves, American Association of

University Women, Association for a Better New York, Bethlehem Parents for Excellence, Buffalo ReformEd, Buffalo

Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Urban League, Business Council of New York State, Business Council of Westchester,

Center for American Progress, Committee for Hispanic Families and Children, Chautauqua County Chamber of

Commerce, Council For a Strong America, Educators 4 Excellence, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier,

National Council of La Raza, New York Campaign for Achievement Now, New York Urban League, Otsego County

Chamber of Commerce, Partnership for Inner-City Education, Parent Power Project- Rochester, Printing Industries

Alliance, Rochester Business Alliance, StudentsFirstNY, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, Urban League of

Rochester, and Urban League of Westchester.

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