Montclair Opt-Out Movement Spills Over to NJASK and NJBCT Exams

It’s no secret that Montclair parents and students are showing widespread opposition to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exam (PARCC).

According to final totals released by the school district, almost half of all students refused to take the state-mandated exam during its two rounds of testing this year, including 79.3 percent at Montclair High School. [See related Patch article]

But is this “no test” backlash beginning to spill over to other state-mandated exams?

According to numbers released by Interim Superintendent Ron Bolandi, 31 parents refused to allow their kids to take the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) Science exam and the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT), which were administered during the week of May 26.

Refusal totals for the NJASK Science test:

Bradford: 1

Bullock: 5

Edgemont: none

Hillside: none

Northeast: none

Watchung: none

Glenfield: 16

Mt. Hebron: 4

Renaissance: 5

Refusal Totals for the NJBCT

Montclair High School: none

Send Montclair news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com