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.
Arizona Why 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
California State 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
Connecticut State Clarifies ESSA Plan
https://ctmirror.org/2017/07/19/education-reform-ct-clarifies-plan-before-sending-it-to-the-feds/
Florida Opt-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
Indiana ESSA 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
Maryland Concerns About Testing Time Continue Even With State Cap
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/education/ph-cc-local-testing-under-required-levels-20170720-story.html
Massachusetts Mayoral Candidate Endorses Moratorium on Tests as "Illegitimate Measurement"
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/07/mayoral_hopeful_jay_ferreira_o.html
Michigan State Drops Test-Based School Ranking System in Favor of Data Dashboard
http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-dumps-its-school-ranking-system-favor-dashboard
Minnesota Laptops, I--Pads Not Improving Test Scores
http://www.austindailyherald.com/2017/07/ipads-laptops-not-yet-improving-students-test-scores/
Michigan Project-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
Nebraska Education 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 York Teen 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
Tennessee High-Stakes Testing Is Top Reason Teachers Leave Profession
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/7/20/351724/Why-Educators-Leave-The-Profession.aspx
Texas Assessment System Changes Don't Help Education Improve
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2017/jul/22/superintendents-column-standardized-testing-debate/
Virginia School 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
University Test-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 Reading Teacher 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
1,200+ Accredited, Four-Year Colleges and Universities with ACT/SAT-Optional Policies (for Fall 2021 Admission)