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You don't need another reminder that it is Election Day.  But, do remember that your vote can boost candidates who support genuine assessment reforms, not another layer of counter-productive test-and-punish schemes.  If you want to change policies, you have to change the policy makers!

National What Education Wonks Will Be Watching for in Election Results

Grassroots pressure to overhaul testing intensifies as the mid-term elections draw near.  Be prepared to start meeting with newly elected policy-makers to educate them about your agenda before the year-end holidays.

Election Day 2018 is only two weeks away.  There's still time to identify and support candidates who will promote assessments that advance deeper learning and stronger teaching, not impose counter-productive test-and-punish policies.  Remember: if you want to change bad policies, you have to change policy makers!

National Vote Against Narrow-Minded School "Reformers" Who Promote Test-and-Punish Policies

More assessment reform progress to report with Pennsylvania about to roll back its high school exit test and Indiana offering graduation pathways that do not rely on testing.  But, there are still many stories about the negative impacts of testing overkill, particularly the damage done to minority and low-income children.

Arizona Educators Blast "A to F" School Grading Scheme

This week's stories again demonstrate that the American public is fed up with testing overkill and wants assessments that support learning and teaching.  You can help accelerate testing reform, honor former FairTest Executive Director Monty Neill as a "Hero in Education," and welcome his successor, Andre Green, by clicking on

Controversies continue to swirl around policies that promote standardized testing misuse and overuse, and some policy-makers are taking action. There's real progress to report in many states -- check out this week's clips for details of assessment reform victories!

California Governor Vetoes Bill Allowing Districts to Use ACT/SAT as Mandatory Grade 11 Test

Early fall is a very busy season for assessment reformers across the nation, as this week's stories from a third of the states plus higher education and overseas clearly show. Policy makers are paying particular attention to their constituents' concerns as Election Day draws near.

National The Flaws in NAEP "Achievement Levels"

It's only the first month of the school year, but assessment reformers are already winning victories that reverse regressive policies.  At the same time, more candidates for public office are reflecting the concerns of parents, educators and community leaders by incorporating calls to overhaul testing in their campaign platforms.

California Teachers Question New Standardized Testing Program

With every passing week, the grassroots movement organizing to replace standardized testing overkill with better forms of assessment grows stronger and spreads to more parts of the nation.  Check out these stories about local actions from Maine to California, with lots of states in between.

California New School Data Dashboard Is More User Friendly

Labor Day marks the official start of the school year in parts of the country, though classroom have been open for a few weeks in many other states.  Already, assessment reform campaigns are winning victories as more public officials heed the message that parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders are fed up with standardized exam misuse and overuse.  Could impending elections be a reason for these policy shifts?