The anti-testing furor in New York State has reached new heights, thanks in large part to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his total disinterest in what parents and educators say students need.

The number of public school students across the state who opted out of either or both state tests for grades 3 through 8 may have tripled, from about 60,000 last year to organizers’ estimates of more than 190,000 this year. While New York City has not released figures, the percentage of students refusing the test in the city, while much smaller than in the surrounding suburbs, also appeared to be notably larger than last year.

The decision to opt out is a parent’s decision to make, child by child. With about 1 in 7 parents having made that important and personal decision this year, parents have made a powerful statement to the governor about what they think of his zealous embrace of high-stakes testing.

Our governor has been so obsessed with wreaking vengeance on teachers’ unions, who did not endorse him for re-election, and so attentive to the demands of the hedge funders who financed his campaign that he neglected to listen to parents — or even recognize their concerns.

Parents reject the notion that test scores are the be-all and end-all for how to judge students, schools and teachers. They believe that using standardized testing to judge and punish hurts their children by causing undue stress, narrowing the curriculum and increasing the time spent on test prep at the expense of creative teaching and learning.

Standardized testing has a role to spotlight achievement gaps, but when it is becomes a hammer to punish schools and teachers, it does real damage.

Parents have sent a loud message. The governor needs to listen.