The test often associated with common core, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career exams are being administered this week in many Louisiana school systems. State Superintendent of Education John White  says student participation on the first day of testing was at 99%. There had been some concern that parents might opt out of their students taking the exams because of the current chaos involving common core in the state.

White told the Louisiana Radio Network,

"While there are a small number of isolated instances where there were comparatively large numbers of students not participating. The overwhelming majority participated in the test."

The majority of students not participating in the exams were in school systems in Calcasieu, Jackson, Red River and Central.  White has invited superintendents in those school systems to meet with him face to face to discuss their concerns.

"And we can work out the appropriate approach based on their input, so that BESE can address the situation. We do not want to denigrate the schools or communities that are outliers."

White says his office is committed to not unfairly criticizing districts and communities where significant numbers of students decline to take the standardized exams. The testing process will continue today in most school districts in our state.

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