Testing Resistance & Reform News: July 19 – 25, 2017

Believe it or not, we’re on the verge of another school year. Classrooms in several southern states, including Florida, welcome students back in barely two weeks. Fortunately, children (and teachers) in many jurisdictions will face fewer standardized exams and less high-stakes testing in 2017-2018 because of the mounting successes of the grassroots assessment reform movement. This week’s news clips report more signs of progress.

ArizonaWhy It’s Hard to Tell What Test Scores Really Mean


https://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2017/07/21/a-few-thoughts-on-the-new-azmerit-scores

CaliforniaState Proposes Minimal Sanctions for Low Testing Participation
https://edsource.org/2017/california-proposes-minimal-sanctions-for-low-participation-in-state-tests/585098

California Legislative Leader Says Smarter Balanced Consortium Tests Fail to Give Teachers Useful Data
https://www.cabinetreport.com/curriculum-instruction/data-flap-could-lead-ca-to-drop-test-consortium

ConnecticutState Clarifies ESSA Plan
https://ctmirror.org/2017/07/19/education-reform-ct-clarifies-plan-before-sending-it-to-the-feds/

FloridaOpt-Out Group Expects Boost in Grassroots Support From Court Decision
https://www.flanews.com/2017/07/18/opt-out-florida-expects-boost-in-support-from-florida-supreme-court-ruling/

Florida County Schools Eliminate Many District-Mandated Tests
http://www.theledger.com/news/20170724/polk-students-will-face-fewer-tests-during-coming-school-year

IndianaESSA Plan Still Being Shaped
http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/compliance-with-every-student-succeeds-act-still-being-shaped/article_4e1c92b2-fb98-5ebd-a32f-b3c2f325d1ab.html

MarylandConcerns About Testing Time Continue Even With State Cap
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/education/ph-cc-local-testing-under-required-levels-20170720-story.html

MassachusettsMayoral Candidate Endorses Moratorium on Tests as “Illegitimate Measurement”
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/07/mayoral_hopeful_jay_ferreira_o.html

MichiganState Drops Test-Based School Ranking System in Favor of Data Dashboard
http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-dumps-its-school-ranking-system-favor-dashboard

MinnesotaLaptops, I–Pads Not Improving Test Scores
http://www.austindailyherald.com/2017/07/ipads-laptops-not-yet-improving-students-test-scores/

MichiganProject-Based Learning Improved Learning in Low-Income Schools
https://www.edutopia.org/article/new-study-shows-impact-pbl-student-achievement-nell-duke-anne-lise-halvorsen

NebraskaEducation Policy Is Failing Our Children
http://www.theindependent.com/opinion/another_opinion/federal-education-policy-is-failing-our-children/article_e71a781c-6e5d-11e7-9edd-c72e50a497f0.html

New YorkTeen Petitions for Scoring Change After Finding Error in State Geometry Exam
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/long-island-teen-finds-error-on-regents-geometry-exam-1.13807876

TennesseeHigh-Stakes Testing Is Top Reason Teachers Leave Profession
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/7/20/351724/Why-Educators-Leave-The-Profession.aspx

TexasAssessment System Changes Don’t Help Education Improve
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2017/jul/22/superintendents-column-standardized-testing-debate/

VirginiaSchool a Victim of Test Policies
http://www.dailyprogress.com/opinion/opinion-letter-yancey-a-victim-of-test-policies/article_43a86d04-6e50-11e7-872c-ff36fa344f6c.html

UniversityTest-Optional Policy Announced by University of Evansville
https://www.evansville.edu/news/articleDetail.cfm?articleId=1097

University Dominican College No Longer Requires ACT/SAT Scores
https://www.dc.edu/college-becomes-first-county-not-require-sat-act/

Worth ReadingTeacher Tests Test Teachers
http://prospect.org/article/teacher-tests-test-teachers

Worth Reading Meeting Needs of Diverse Learners Through Performance Assessments
http://www.annenberginstitute.org/blog/vue-spotlight-meeting-needs-diverse-learners-through-performance-based-assessment

FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
web-http://www.fairtest.org

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