NEW YORK - Fewer mandated students will be going in for the first day of summer school Wednesday.
But that's not necessarily because they're getting smarter.
The drop is the result of a 2014 law that eased passing marks for struggling students.
The legislation requires state exams not be the only metric used for passing students.
Some have criticized the move, claiming it lowers the bar of achievement.
More than 16,000 students between third and eighth grade are attending summer school this year.
That's down from last year and a high of over 32,000 kids back in 2013.