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Katonah-Lewisboro's Testing Opt-out Rate Below State Level

CROSS RIVER, N.Y. -- The rate of Katonah-Lewisboro students opting out of state ELA and math exams is lower than the statewide figure, new data show.

The Katonah-Lewisboro school board.

The Katonah-Lewisboro school board.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

The data, released by the New York State Department of Education (SED), show that Katonah-Lewisboro's rate is 11 percent, versus the statewide rate of roughly 20 percent.

The tests are for students in grades three through eight. 

Katonah-Lewisboro Superintendent Andrew Selesnick announced the difference at Thursday's school board meeting. Selesnick added that the rates vary for school districts across Westchester County, calling them “a little bit all over the map.”

The superintendent also announced that a more detailed discussion about Katonah-Lewisboro's test scores will take place at a future meeting.

In a statement, state Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch defended the merits of the state tests, adding that more communication with parents about their value is needed.

"Without an annual testing program, the progress of our neediest students may be ignored or forgotten, leaving these students to fall further behind," Tisch said in her statement. "This cannot happen.”

Katonah-Lewisboro's full results here available here, beginning on page 1613.

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