When New York state debuted new standardized tests for third- to eighth-graders in English and math last year, a handful of Merrick parents told school administrators that they would not allow their children to take them. Earlier this month, the number of students whose parents have joined this protest nearly doubled at Merrick Avenue Middle School, more than doubled in the North Merrick School District and more than tripled in the Merrick School District. more

In a package full of life’s little necessities, every Finnish newborn receives a precious gift –– a set of three books, courtesy of the government. more

Scores on standardized New York State English Language Arts and math tests dropped dramatically this year in both Oceanside and Island Park, worrying many parents who fear that their children will … more

A handful of parents in Merrick and North Merrick told school administrators that they would refuse to allow their children to sit for new standardized state exams, which began in elementary schools around the state this week. The parents, who believe that the standardized exams lack pedagogical merit and are harmful to students, say they would like to see a grass-roots civil-disobedience movement involving other parents taking the same action that would force the state to cancel the exams. In all, 50 students did not take the exams on Tuesday, the first day they were administered, according to officials in both districts. more

With the new Common Core Standards being implemented, New York state seems in line to roll out new, more difficult Regents Exams in the next school year, making them more akin to Advance Placement … more

Next week, when students return to classes, they will be greeted by new teachers, meet some new classmates and may even notice the shiny floors and clean desks. more

New York State released the results of its 2012 standardized tests last week. Many of Oceanside’s scores stayed nearly the same or increased, while there were large fluctuations in how Island Park students fared on the tests. more

The New York State Department of Education recently released its report cards for school districts, charting how well students performed on the 2009-10 state tests. And both Oceanside and Island … more