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From Alaska to Florida and many states in-between, the pushback against standardized testing misuse and overuse continues to accelerate. Feel free to use this week's stories and commentaries as models for your own local assessment reform work.

The assessment reform drumbeat continues to reverberate ever more strongly across the nation. As growing numbers of parents, educators, students and school leaders speak out, more policy makers begin to implement meaningful changes in testing policy.  Check out this week's developments:

National What to Expect From October 30 NAEP Scores Release

Victories -- both large and small-- in many states paint a bright picture for the grassroots assessment reform movement.  As a momentous election season draws near, politicians will be paying even more attention to the concerns of their constituents.  Parents, students, educators and community activists need to make sure policy makers know you want them to end standardized testing misuse and overuse. . . . NOW!

"Momentum" is the buzzword of the week for the assessment reform movement.  In state after state, pressure from parents, students, educators, researchers, and grassroots activists is forcing policy makers to roll-back standardized testing policies that undermine education quality and equity.  There's still a long way to go, but progress is definitely taking place!

Colorado Educators Debate Overhaul of School Accountability Rating System

More victories in rolling back high-stakes testing misuse this week, but there's still a long way to go to achieve real assessment reform.  Use these stories as ammunition in your local and statewide campaigns. 

With each passing week, it becomes ever clearer that public school assessment policies are framed more by political, ideological, and business concerns than educational evidence. Keeping the heat on politicians, exposing their motivations and documenting the financial interests of the testing industry helps build the clout necessary to win genuine reforms.

Multiple States What Happens When "Formative" and "Summative" Assessment Markets Combine

Politicians are finally beginning to heed the assessment reform message.  In state after state, grassroots activism by parents, students, educators and community leaders is forcing policy makers to roll back standardized exam requirements, particularly the high-states consequences attached to test scores.  Keep the pressure on!

Multiple States Could Testing Wreck Civics Education?

The drumbeat of criticism documenting the negative fallout from test-driven education policies grows ever louder. With each passing school day, more parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders recognize the damage being inflicted on educational quality and equity.  It's time for policymakers to pay attention . . . or be replaced!

California Assigning Single Grade to Every School Is Too Simplistic

Grade retention and diploma denials are among the worst politically motivated misuses of standardized tests.  That's why assessment reform activists have made repealing these counter-productive policies a top priority.  Check out these FairTest fact sheets for ammunition to use in your local campaigns.