BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — New York public school students are sitting this week for the second round of Common Core tests.

Students in grades three through eight across the state's 700 school districts began the first of three days of math testing on Tuesday. The students took English language arts assessments in March.

For the past two years, at least 20 percent of eligible students have opted out in protest of the annual assessments that are required by the federal government but opposed by many parents and teachers as unfair and unnecessary.

State education leaders have responded by including fewer questions and giving students more time to complete them.

About 39 percent of students who took the math assessments last year scored in the proficient range. About 38 percent scored proficient in English.

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