Several dozen students protested at the State Capitol on Friday and more plan to walk out of schools around New Mexico next week as frustration over a new standardized test grows.
Some lawmakers say there's confusion over the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers or PARCC tests that start Monday, especially over whether students have the right to opt out if they so choose.
One lawmaker referred to the test as a "demon" at a committee hearing Friday during which Democratic Sen. Linda Lopez of Albuquerque spoke about her bill to put on hold the state's implementation of Common Core standards.
Republican Sen. Pat Woods of Broadview says he doesn't support doing away with the standards but a discussion is important.
Education officials say millions of dollars have already been invested in the effort.
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