Testing Resistance & Reform News: June 29 - July 5, 2016
Though school is out for the summer and the long, holiday weekend slowed coverage, there's still plenty of assessment reform news. Please add your voice at the Save Our Schools rally, march and conference in Washington DC at the end of this week
http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/
National Lawmakers Press Ed. Secretary Over Every Student Succeeds Act Draft Regulations
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/06/senate_essa_oversight_hearing_school_ratings_timeline.html
National The Parts of ESSA Regulations That Most Concern Members of Congress
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/07/ESSA_draft_accountability_concerns_congress.html
National Keep the Pressure on Washington By Speaking Out Against Test-and-Punish Proposals
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-department-must-drop-proposed-accountability-regulations
National How Will ESSA's Innovative Assessment Pilot Program Work?
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/06/how_will_essas_innovative_asse.htm
Alaska State Drops Last Remaining Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.adn.com/alaska-news/education/2016/06/30/students-no-longer-need-national-tests-to-graduate/
California Seeking to Redefine "Accountability" in ESSA Era
http://laschoolreport.com/california-in-the-age-of-essa-can-schools-be-held-accountable-without-real-consequences/
Connecticut The Outrageous Costs of Smarter Balanced Testing
http://ctviewpoints.org/2016/06/29/cost-of-sbac-testing-in-connecticut-is-unconscionable-unnecessary/
Florida Portfolios Put Assessment Where It Belongs . . . With Classroom Teachers
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/portfolios-put-assessment-where-it-belongs-with-teachers/
Illinois Assessment Reformers Push Back Against Plan to Use Test Scores in Chicago Teacher Ratings
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/parcc-count-cps-teacher-school-ratings/
Indiana Scores From Pearson Tests Delayed Again
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/ISTEP-scores-again-delayed-13896176
Iowa Test Score Rankings Mask Quality Schools
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/education/k-12-education/standardized-test-score-rankings-mask-quality-schools-cedar-rapids-officials-say-20160703
Kentucky Schools Expect Less Testing Will Promote More Learning
http://www.wlky.com/news/jcps-hoping-to-reduce-assessments-increase-achievement-during-school-year/40264076
Massachusetts State Senate Votes to End Mandate Tying Educator Evaluation to Student Test Scores
http://aftma.net/2016/06/ma-senate-approves-amendment-eliminate-ddm-mandate-2/
Massachusetts Don't Use Test Scores To Judge Teacher Quality
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/columns/2016/06/30/diane-ravitch-don-use-test-scores-judge-teacher-quality/x8YQTRHOJQIKNgkIhOakCO/story.html
Massachusetts Boston Weighs Changes to Admissions Rules for Exam Schools
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/07/01/boston-explores-changes-exam-school-admissions-foster-greater-diversity/bFOSHWh3kjNcbmvPcCnyhO/story.html
Texas Moms Share Why They Opt Their Children Out of State Tests
http://www.pleasantonexpress.com/news/2016-06-29/Front_Page/Moms_share_why_they_opt_children_out_of_STAAR_001.html
Texas Survey Shows Most Unhappy with State Exams
http://kxan.com/2016/06/30/survey-most-unhappy-with-staar-exam/
Washington Promote Learning Over Mandated Testing
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article87117352.html
More than 1000 four-year colleges and universities do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor-degree applicants.