test errors

Between expensive test prep, pricey advisors, unethical, and, in this case, downright illegal behavior, ACT and SAT scores are easily “gamed” by those with financial means. To reduce the unfair advantage that people with abundant resources have in our test-reliant admissions system, FairTest leads the national movement for test-optional admissions policies. Today more than 1,000 colleges and universities have test-optional policies that evaluate an applicant's entire portfolio.

With public schools closing for the summer, many states are reviewing their 2015-2016 testing experience (once again, not a pretty picture) and planning to implement assessment reforms in coming years.  You can help stop the U.S. Department of Education from promoting testing misuse and overuse by weighing in on proposed Every Student Succeeds Act regulations.

for further information:                                                                 

Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773

                   cell (239) 699-0468

compiled by National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest)

for further information:                                                                 

Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773
                   cell (239) 699-0468

Another week of accelerating protests against high-stakes testing. If you find these news summaries useful for your assessment reform work, please contribute to help FairTest http://tinyurl.com/supportfairtest as suggested by Michelle Fine in her acceptance speech at last week's "Heroes in Education" awards presentation          

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. 

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

• 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