PORTSMOUTH — The School Department received 77 “opt-out” requests from families of students who refused to take the PARCC test beginning March 16, Assistant Superintendent Thomas W. Kenworthy told the School Committee Tuesday night.

PARCC (Partnership for Assessments of Readiness for College and Careers) is the new state assessment test that began this year. Rhode Island is partnering with Massachusetts and 10 other states, plus the District of Columbia, in using PARCC to measure students’ knowledge of Common Core State Standards in reading, writing and math. Another round of testing will be given in May.

Mr. Kenworfthy said after seven full days of testing, the “logistics of testing have gone well in all of our schools” and that there were only minor glitches here and there.” He thanked teachers, administrators and the technology department for their efforts in ensuring that the testing has gone smoothly.

The 77 requests to refuse the test are only “the ones we know of,” said Mr. Kenworthy, adding that the “opt-out movement” has to some degree been fueled by misinformation. He said he’s responded to each inquiry himself and that all discussions have been cordial.

“We agree to disagree,” said Mr. Kenworthy.

One concern he has is with the participation rate for the test. The R.I. Department of Education has set a 95 percent participation rate as a goal for each school. Schools that fall under that rate are not able to demonstrate annual progress and cannot be considered a “commended” school, he said.

“That label stays with the school,” he said.

If the completion rate falls under 95 percent for the district as a whole, Portsmouth could lose about $250,000 in annual Title 1 funds, said Mr. Kenworthy.

Rhode Island schools received a waiver from the 95 percent goal this year, but that won’t be the case going forward, said Mr. Kenworthy. “There is this misperception that it’s not going to matter,” he said.

On a more positive note, Mr. Kenworthy said he’s received feedback from students indicating that the PARCC test may not be as difficult for some as first perceived.

“One of the comments I’m hearing is that the actual test is easier than the practice test,” he said, adding that the district should get the results of the testing by the end of the summer or the beginning of the next school year.

Extension for A.D.

In other business Tuesday night, the committee unanimously approved a new three-year contract for Athletic Director Stephen H. Trezvant.

The contract calls for a base salary of $65,000 starting the next fiscal year beginning July 1. With retirement benefits, health insurance, professional development expenses and other incidentals, his full compensation comes to $83,756. The contract calls for a 2 percent increase for each year of the contract.

Post-prom donation

The committee also donated $1,000 to Portsmouth High School’s post-prom party for the Class of 2015, to be held June 3. The Town Council had made an identical donation Monday night.

Next meeting April 7

The School Committee will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. The meeting will be held at Town Hall if it’s available, otherwise in the high school library.