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Manchester School Board Reverses Position On 'Smarter Balanced' Tests

Melanie Holtsman
/
Flickr CC

  The Manchester School Board voted Wednesday night to administer the Smarter Balanced exams which would test students’ progress in meeting Common Core standards.

The vote puts an end to months of wrangling with the state Department of Education. Board members had originally voted to opt out of the test last summer but the DoE said doing so could mean the loss of millions in federal education aid.

Mayor Ted Gatsas, who also serves as Chair of the School Board, voiced his opposition to the exams. The Manchester School Board is still set to consider allowing parents to opt out of the test.

Manchester, the largest school district in the state, would have been alone in rejecting the test. Replacing the NECAP, Smarter Balanced exams are set to be given for the first time next month. 

Before becoming a reporter for NHPR, Ryan devoted many months interning with The Exchange team, helping to produce their daily talk show. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Manchester with a major in Politics and Society and a minor in Communication Arts. While in school, he also interned for a DC-based think tank. His interests include science fiction and international relations. Ryan is a life-long Manchester resident.
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