high stakes

The 2014 round of standardized exam administration got underway in several states this week. As predicted by FairTest and our Testing Resistance & Reform Spring (TRRS) allies, opt-out campaigns and other forms of protest exploded in many communities. In just the past three days, we've seen so many great news clips that we could not wait until our normal Tuesday distribution date to circulate them nationally. 

Anyone who still believes that the resistance to testing misuse and overuse is confined to a few big cities and "liberal" activists, should click through this week's news clips. In fact, testing protests are spreading across "deep red" states" such as Alaska, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. And "conservative" commentators are speaking out against standardized exam overkill.

Last weekend's Network for Public Education conference in Austin provided another boost for the growing power of campaigns to overhaul school testing policies -- many plenaries and workshops addressed assessment issues.  This week's large batch of clips shows the breadth and depth of the movement. 

The Rising Tide of Opt Outs
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2014/03/opting_out_of_testing.html

Though schools across the nation are closed for winter vacation, there's been no let up in news and commentary about resistance to testing overuse and misuse.

To keep the pressure on in 2014, please include FairTest in your year-end giving.  Click on http://fairtest.org/donate or mail your check to P.O. Box 300204, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Thank you -- and best wishes for a joyous holiday week!  In the spirit of the season, the first clip is a version of how the standardized testing Grinch stole Xmas

How the Dirth Stole Learning

The movement to replace high-stakes standardized exams with better forms of assessment picks up even more steam with huge protest events, growing opt-out campaigns, and ever more evidence that test-and-punish status quo "reform" policies are an abject failure.

Chicago Educators Launch "Let Us Teach" Campaign Against Standardized Testing
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/23598511-418/chicago-teachers-union-u...
Time to Dump Standardized Tests

Judith Browne Dianis, Rhonda Brownstein, Jessica Feierman, and Monty Neill
Published on Anthony Cody’s blog, Living in Dialogue, Nov. 7, 2013

(NOTE: For a print-formatted PDF of this post please click here.)

Another week of escalating assessment reform organizing and action around the country. Journalists, both local, regional and national, are hearing the movement's message and conveying it to even broader audiences!

New NAEP Scores Add to Evidence of Failed Test-and-Punish Policies
http://www.fairtest.org/fairtest-news-release-2013-naep-results-added-evid

What Happens When Parents Stand Up and Say "No" to Testing
http://www.alternet.org/education/what-happens-when-parents-stand-and-sa...

for further information:                                                                 
Dr. Monty Neill  (617) 477-9792                           

for further information:                                                                 
Dr. Monty Neill (617) 477-9792
Bob Schaeffer    (239) 395-6773

• For more complete information on each of these (and other) points see our full FairTest Fact Sheet: Common Core Assessment Myths and Realities: Moratorium Needed From More Tests, Costs, Stress