Topping this week's news: more jurisdictions roll back graduation exams, another state's computer testing system collapses, and activists across the country press for more assessment reforms at the same time test-and-punish advocates push for even more counter-productive tests.
The 2016-2017 academic year is barely underway, but grassroots assessment reform pressure is already producing positive changes in both K-12 schools and university admission policies.
This week's news clips reinforce the trend summarized in FairTest's new report "Testing Reform Victories 2016." The upcoming academic year will feature fewer tests with reduced consequences attached to them along with an initial wave of improved assessment systems encouraged by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Obviously, the grassroots testing resistance and reform movement has much, much more to do . . . but we are beginning to make real progress in changing public policy.
With school doors opening across the country, there's a surge of stories critiquing the value of test scores and examining potential assessment reforms. If you have colleagues or friends who would benefit from receiving these weekly news clip summaries, please encourage them to sign up at: http://fairtest.org/weekly-news-signup
"Less Testing, No High-Stakes, Better Assessments" -- that's the core message parents, educators and community leaders are effectively delivering to policymakers as a new school year begins across the nation. Look for a forthcoming FairTest report on "Testing Reform Victories 2015-2016" summarizing recent successes.
The back-to-school agenda for the growing, national assessment reform movement is straight-forward: cut the volume of standardized testing; eliminate high-stakes exam misuses; encourage alternative accountability systems. Campaigns are already having an impact in many states.
