Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 14 - 20, 2013

In just the past week, stories from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan and Georgia document the growing reach (and clout) of the assessment reform movement. Keep escalating the pressure !  (and send us links to good clips for circulation)  

Students, Teachers, Parents Push Back Against High-Stakes Testing Across Nation
  http://www.educatedreporter.com/2013/02/students-teachers-push-back-against.html

Schools in Crisis, "Reforms" (including test mania) Not Working, Says Federal Panel
  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/19/us-usa-education-equity-idUSBRE91I15820130219

Too Much MCAS Reliance: Mass. Students Lose Out on Arts, Activities
  http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/02/20/more-than-massachusetts-professors-and-researchers-urge-less-reliance-mcas-test/ob8GSYGdp0Kc0TNTnXHNVI/story.html

Open Letter to Arne Duncan from Chicago Teachers
  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/02/15/open-letter-to-arne-duncan-from-chicago-teachers/

Student "Zombies" Protest Rhode Island High-Stakes Testing
  http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2013/02/student-zombies-march-on-ri-department-of-education-in-protest.html

Voters Crowd Texas Hearing to Demand Saner Testing Policies
  http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/19/bill-reduce-state-tests-draws-support-hearing/

Superintendents Criticize High-Stakes Testing
  http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/13/4620403/superintendents-criticize-high.html

"Texas Miracle" Debunked: Lone Star State Sparks Anti-Testing Revolution
  http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/02/18/with-bushs-texas-miracle-debunked-lone-star-state-sparks-anti-testing-revolution/

Jeb Bush's "A - F" School Grading Scheme Causes Oklahoma Controversy
  http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=61&articleid=20130218_61_A9_ULNSka935248

School "Report Cards" Reflect Graders Ideology, Not Educational Quality
  http://nepc.colorado.edu/newsletter/2013/02/review-Students-First-Grades

Florida May Delay Some Common Core Standards and Tests
  http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/florida-lawmakers-might-delay-new-education-standards-testing-some-grades

Editorial: High-Stakes Tests Are Killing Our Schools
  http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20130213/OPINION01/302130015/Editorial-High-stakes-tests-killing-our-schools

Excessive Testing Fleeces Public Schools
  http://dianeravitch.net/2013/02/11/the-fleecing-of-public-education/

Commentary: Georgia Wastes Money on Testing
  http://savannahnow.com/column/2013-02-15/commentary-georgia-wastes-money-testing#.USDm7FfInoR

Gym Class Becomes Test Prep
  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/education/gym-class-isnt-just-fun-and-games-anymore.html

Legal Consequences of High-Stakes Value-Added Teacher Evaluation
  http://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/article/view/1298

Canadian Teachers Question Focus on Testing -- Protests Going Global
  http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Teachers+question+focus+testing/7962364/story.html

Real Accountability or Illusion of Success: A Call to Review Testing in Ontario
  http://testingillusion.ca/press-release/

Is Community-Based Accountability the Wave of the Future?
  http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2013/02/could_community_based_accounta.html