Some schools miss out on grant access after testing opt-outs
The revelation — state education officials call it a consequence, not a sanction — conflicts with widespread assurances to parents that there would be no harm in sitting their children out of the controversial Common Core tests.
[...] for the past two years, many schools have seen double-digit opt-out rates as parents have protested the high-stakes tests as unfair and unnecessary, taking the schools out of the running for Reward School status.
A memo from Public Advocate Letitia James, who serves as a liaison between New Yorkers and their government, in advance of the assessments reminded parents of the right to refuse the test "with no consequences to you, your child or your child's school."
New York State Allies for Public Education, an advocacy group that advised parents on opting out, said low participation should be waived for schools that otherwise qualified for Reward School status.