Testing Resistance & Reform News: August 31 – September 6, 2016

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:https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup

Multiple StatesComputer Testing Errors Likely Disrupted Student Scores
https://marketbrief.edweek.org/marketplace-k-12/state-testing-disruptions-likely-produced-dips-and-gains-in-student-scores-study-says/

CaliforniaState Must Move Ahead on New Approach to Education Accountability
https://edsource.org/2016/california-must-move-ahead-on-new-approach-to-school-accountability/568708

California Single-Number School Rankings Miss Key Factors
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_california/2016/08/single_number_school_rankings_miss_tasty_ingredients.html

ColoradoMultiple Pathways for Obtaining a High School Diploma
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2016/08/colorado_expands_students_options_for_earning_high_school_diploma.html

Colorado Opt-Outs Take Toll on State Test
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/optout-option-takes-toll-on-tests

ConnecticutSBAC Results Are Not Educationally Meaningful
http://jonathanpelto.com/2016/09/02/hey-malloy-whats-deal-new-common-core-sbac-test-results/

District of ColumbiaHow DC Could Become National Model for Helping Schools Under Every Student Succeeds Act
http://www.citizenseffectiveschools.org/How%20DC%20Could%20Become%20National%20Model%20for%20Improving%20Low-achieving%20Schools_8.16.2016.pdf

District of Columbia Why You Should Not Take Test Scores Seriously
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/09/04/how-can-anyone-take-standardized-test-scores-seriously-when-stuff-like-this-happens/

FloridaTime to Reconsider Test-Score-Based Teacher Bonus Program
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/time-to-reconsider-floridas-best-and-brightest-bonus-state-board-vice/2291724

Florida District Loses Testing Lawsuit; Punishes Students
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-hernando-school-district-loses-lawsuit-punishes-kids/2292085

IndianaDistrict Cuts Time Devoted to Testing
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/community/acs-recaptures-instructional-time-by-reducing-time-spent-on-standardized/article_95bcd1d8-c68e-5fe7-a42a-6165acc479f7.html

Kansas“Maker Movement” Challenges Test-Heavy Curriculum
http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/national/article_709bb178-fbf5-5256-ba56-3850ae1abfd3.html

KentuckyEducation Commissioner Touts New Approach to School Accountability
https://insiderlouisville.com/metro/kentuckys-education-commissioner-reflects-on-first-year/

MassachusettsA “Modest Proposal” to Test Private School Students
http://www.wbur.org/edify/2016/09/02/guest-commentary-a-modest-proposal-to-test-our-forgotten-students

MinnesotaSchool Accountability System to Change Under ESSA
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/09/01/minnesota-school-test-scores

MississippiPolitically Manipulated Grading Scheme Guarantees Fixed Number of “Failing” Schools
http://www.msparentscampaign.org/component/content/article?id=1420

New JerseyPARCC Test Remains a Hot-Button Issue
https://njmonthly.com/articles/just-for-the-web/parcc-tests-hot-button-issue/

New Jersey Raising PARCC Stakes a Major Blunder
http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/09/04/editorial-raising-parcc-stakes-major-blunder/89869712/

New MexicoSchools “Uneducate” Kids By Focusing on Testing
http://www.rrobserver.com/opinion/columns/article_4480341c-7164-11e6-964b-cbdbc8cf9e14.html

OhioTeachers Say Tentative Contract Includes Less Student Testing
http://wksu.org/post/teachers-union-says-tentative-contract-includes-less-student-testing

OklahomaFinland As a Model for Assessment Reform
http://www.newson6.com/story/32884709/educate-oklahoma-finland-part-1

PennsylvaniaState Senator Plans to Sue Over Testing Requirements
https://gadflyonthewallblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/state-senator-get-ready-to-sue-the-pa-department-of-education-over-common-core-testing/

South CarolinaMath Problem in Understanding Test Scores
http://www.postandcourier.com/20160902/160909917/letter-math-problem

TennesseeNashville Polls Teachers About How to Change Testing
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2016/09/01/nashville-schools-survey-eyes-testing-hope-guide-changes/89658686/

TexasTest Results Unused Due to Computerized Administration Problems
https://communityimpact.com/houston/sugar-land-missouri-city/education/2016/08/31/fort-bend-isd-experiences-staar-test-glitches-some-results-unused/

VirginiaStandardized Tests Drive Curricula
http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/letters/phelps-standardized-tests-drive-cirricula/article_ddd1044f-7e58-5f1d-b7ff-4f1aa6df146d.html

Virginia Developing Authentic Measures for Student Academic Learning, Engagement and Success
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/city-of-richmond/article_69eb9c98-32cc-526b-b8fa-c4985f73c3e2.html

InternationalWhy Finland Continues to Reject U.S. School “Reforms”
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/08/30/education-reform-common-core-finland-us-schools-column/89511246/

ACT/SATWhat’s Up with Test-Optional Admissions Policies?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/w-kent-barnds/whats-up-with-testoptiona_b_11329878.html

Worth Reading“Accountability:” Reclaiming the Worst Word in Education
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2016/08/29/accountability-reclaiming-the-worst-word-in-education.html

Worth Reading How to Think Like Shakespeare
http://www.chronicle.com/article/How-to-Think-Like-Shakespeare/237593

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