Testing Resistance & Reform News: June 6 - 12, 2018

With the academic year wrapping up across the U.S., education news coverage is turning to the many negative impacts of excessive testing requirements on students, teachers, schools and communities.  This fall's state and local elections can help define a new framework for assessment policy making 

National The Bottom Line on Opting Out of High-Stakes Tests
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/06/08/the-bottom-line-on-opting-out-of-high-stakes-standardized-tests/

Florida Time to Rethink Third Grade Retention Policy
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2018/06/08/time-rethink-third-grade-retentions-opinion/684467002/
Florida New Computer Test Depresses Kindergarten Readiness Scores
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-reg-vpk-school-readiness-20180605-story.html

Louisiana Lost Test Score Blocks Student From Walking at Graduation Ceremony
http://www.ksla.com/story/38391943/with-test-score-lost-senior-blocked-from-her-commencement

Maine Education Should Focus on Critical Thinking, Not Test Memorization
http://mainepublic.org/post/its-not-memory-test-education-needs-focus-critical-thinking

New Mexico Expert Challenges Validity of Test-Based "Value-Added" Teacher Evaluation
http://vamboozled.com/new-mexico-teacher-evaluation-lawsuit-updates/

New York Opt Out Leaders Say Revised Teacher Evaluation Law Does Not Go Far Enough
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/test-opt-out-teacher-evaluation-1.18991047
New York Students Talk About How One Test Kept NYC Specialized High Schools Segregated
http://hechingerreport.org/how-one-test-kept-new-york-city-high-schools-segregated/

North Carolina Students, Teachers on My Mind During Testing Season
https://www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/24957-students-and-teachers-are-on-my-mind
North Carolina Test Schools Tell Us Little About Student Success
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/06/08/n-c-teacher-test-score-says-the-year-was-a-dismal-failure-for-my-student-but-it-really-was-a-resounding-success/?utm_term=.c95b8bdc5eab

Ohio Special Ed Student Denied Graduation Over Single Test
http://fox8.com/2018/06/11/student-denied-graduation-over-state-test/

Pennsylvania Auditor to Examine Costs, Lack of Transparency on State Exams
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20180605/pa-auditor-general-to-review-spending-lack-of-transparency-on-keystone-exams
Pennsylvania New Law Requires Civics Test, But Students Will Not Have to Pass It
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/06/10/civics-test-bill-pennsylvania-legislature-karen-boback-students-not-required-to-pass/stories/201806080120

Tennessee School Rating System Eliminates A-to-F Grades Due to Flawed Test Scores
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2018/06/11/with-a-f-grades-off-the-table-tennessee-gets-creative-about-rating-its-schools-under-federal-law/

Texas Students Told They Failed Test After Grade Promotion Ceremony
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/After-Promotion-Ceremony-Some-Fort-Worth-Students-Learn-They-May-Not-Advance-484631041.html
Texas Parents Question Test-Based School Rankings
http://theleadernews.com/school-rankings-rankle-parents/

Utah State Presses Feds to Waive 95% Test Participation Requirement
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900020987/feds-reject-utah-school-testing-waiver.html

Virginia Potential Exam Irregularities Lead to Re-Testing
https://baconsrebellion.com/more-potential-irregularities-for-sol-testing/

West Virginia Teachers Should Fight Against Florida-Model Reforms
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/gazette_opinion/op_ed_commentaries/kristy-peters-want-to-know-what-not-to-do-in/article_85bdb9ad-e0fe-5907-9394-c240f96c191d.html

International Scottish Teachers Protest Blanket Testing for Primary Pupils
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16273423.Teachers_attack_blanket_testing_plan_for_primary_pupils/

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