Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 16 - 22, 2020

    https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/suspend-high-stakes-student-testing/manage
    
National Mandating Standardized Exams This Spring Would Be a Mistake
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-testing-students-this-spring-would-be-a-mistake/2020/12
National Pandemic Offers Opportunity to Reduce Testing Mandates Permanently
https://www.educationnext.org/pandemic-offers-opportunity-reduce-standardized-testing/
National State Education Chiefs Seek "Flexibility" in Student Assessment
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/state-schools-chiefs-push-biden-for-wiggle-room-on-accountability-during-pandemic/2020/12

Arizona Teachers Oppose Resumption of State Testing This Year
https://kjzz.org/content/1643626/aea-disappointed-az-board-education-support-standardized-testing-spring

Colorado Petition Calls for Waiver of English Language Learner Exams
https://co.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/15/22177065/access-test-english-learners-colorado-petition

Georgia State Drastically Cuts Weight of Final Exams After Feds Rebuff Testing Waiver Request
https://www.wrdw.com/2020/12/22/state-board-of-education-approves-01-final-exam-grade-proposal/
Georgia Teachers Rally to Suspend Standardized Testing
https://www.ajc.com/education/teachers-rally-for-stop-to-georgia-school-testing-plans-during-pandemic/TB5SXWY2PVADVBHHJ37BQWY3IU/
Georgia Why Test What Cannot Be Taught During Pandemic?
https://coastalcourier.com/news/public-address-concerns-dec-8-boe-meeting/

Idaho State Board Waives College Entrance Exam Requirement for High School Seniors
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/state-board-waives-college-entrance-exam-requirement-for-class-of-2021/

Illinois Educators Want Standardized Tests Postponed
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/unions-want-standardized-school-testing-postponed

Massachusetts Opposition to State Standardized Exams Grows
https://www.amherstbulletin.com/Educators-parents-rally-against-state-s-efforts-to-move-forward-with-MCAS-testing-this-school-year-37679893
Massachusetts The Human Case for Ending High-Stakes Testing
https://senatorjocomerford.org/the-human-case-for-ending-high-stakes-testing/

New York NYC Middle Schools Will Not Use Test Score "Screens" for Admission
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/18/22188384/changes-nyc-school-application-process?

Oklahoma "A to F" School Ratings Suspended This Year; Let's Cancel Them Forever
https://www.tulsakids.com/oklahomas-a-f-school-rating-is-cancelled-this-year-lets-cancel-it-forever/

Texas State Tests Not Worth the Cost Under COVID
https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/your-voice/2020/12/22/staar-testing-not-worth-cost-during-covid-pandemic/3994881001/ 
Texas Teachers Call In Sick to Protest Plan for In-Person Standardized Tests
https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/some-houston-area-teachers-say-theyll-call-out-sick-on-tuesday-in-protest/285-6770198d-251c-4ee0-9226-442e293ee5ce

Virginia Pandemic Should Prompt Reassessment of Role of School Testing
https://starexponent.com/opinion/hutchins-pandemic-should-prompt-a-reassessment-of-test-success/article_5b0e5b62-fc50-53ed-81f8-c6c17fd0672a.html

University Admissions How COVID-19 Is Pushing More Colleges to Go ACT/SAT Optional
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-the-coronavirus-is-pushing-colleges-to-go-test-optional

Worth Reading Six (Bad) Arguments for Administering the Big State Tests This Year
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2020/12/15/six-arguments-for-giving-the-big-standardized-tests-this-school-year-and-why-bidens-education-secretary-should-ignore-them/

Bob Schaeffer, interim Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-  (239) 395-6773    mobile-  (239) 699-0468
web-  http://www.fairtest.org