LANCASTER, Pa. — The number of Pennsylvania parents opting out of state-mandated tests is continuing to increase.

The number of students who opted out of the Pennsylvania System of Standardized Assessment exams doubled across Pennsylvania this year, reaching more than 7,500 for math and language arts.

Opt-outs accounted for less than 1 percent of test-takers in math and language arts statewide, and science opt-outs were just above 1 percent.

State law provides a religious exception that permits parents to keep their children out of state testing.

School leaders say that if the trend continues, it could call into question the significance of the test results. The scores make up the bulk of the state’s rating system for schools and play a role in teachers’ evaluations.