Testing Resistance & Reform News: March 21 - 27, 2018
Entering the peak weeks of school testing season, pressure from students, educators and community leaders for genuine assessment reform is accelerating as more people recognize how much classroom learning time is undermined by standardized exam overkill.
Multiple States Did Changed Test Questions Cause Decline in Smarter Balanced Test Scores
https://jaypgreene.com/2018/03/26/did-changed-test-questions-cause-national-decline-in-smarter-balanced-scores/
Colorado Testing Fixation Rushes Students Past Real Learning
https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/2018/03/25/opinion-start-school-later-and-let-learners-take-their-time/445465002/
Florida State Uses "Mumbo-Jumbo" Calculation to Select "High-Impact Teachers"
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-lauren-ritchie-high-impact-teachers-meaningless-20180322-story.html
Hawaii Teachers Push to Reduce Standardized Testing
http://www.khon2.com/news/local-news/teachers-push-to-reduce-standardized-testing-for-hawaii-public-schools/1064609297
Illinois Teachers. Parents and Community Push Back Against Testing
https://www.ctunet.com/media/chicago-union-teacher/downloadable-pdf/Mar-Apr-2018-CUT-FINAL_reduced.pdf -- see esp. pp 10-11
Indiana Pressure From Educators Blocks Bad School Grading Plan
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/20180323/making-the-grade
Indiana Is the Thinking Behind ISTEP Testing Fair?
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/opinion/columns/shane-phipps-column-is-the-thinking-behind-istep-testing-really/article_e843cf9e-8c03-5ded-9647-e0d0a396e9f8.html
Mississippi Educators, Lawmakers Push for Move Away From State Testing
http://www.wdam.com/story/37798622/educators-and-lawmakers-push-for-a-move-away-from-state-testing
New York Opt-Out Leader Explains the True Costs of the Tests
https://vimeo.com/261373078/e139f7bab6
New York Petition to End Test-Based Teacher Evaluation
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/repeal-nys-teacher-evaluatio
North Carolina Timing of Supplemental Nutrition Benefits Affects Test Scores
https://sanford.duke.edu/articles/timing-snap-benefit-affects-children%E2%80%99s-test-grades
Ohio Let Real People, NotComputers, Grade Writing Tests
http://www.theintelligencer.net/opinion/editorials/2018/03/let-real-people-grade-the-tests/
Ohio State Senate Agrees to Eliminate Use of "Value-Added" Score to Evaluate Teachers
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/03/ohio_senate_backs_change_in_te.html
Oregon Oppose Mono-culture of School Testing
http://www.bendbulletin.com/opinion/6106779-151/letters
Pennsylvania Teachers Must Speak Out Against Standardized Tests
https://gadflyonthewallblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/the-lone-voice-of-dissent-against-standardized-testing/
Tennessee Bill Would Lower State Test Weight on Student Grades
http://www.lebanondemocrat.com/Education/2018/03/26/Bill-could-lower-TN-Ready-weight-on-student-grades.html
Utah Testing Season is the Real March "Madness"
https://news.hjnews.com/logan_hj/one-teacher-s-take-on-testing-and-other-grade-school/article_e9019fe1-f123-5950-8a3e-e875bc117c91.html
Washington New School Report Cards Show Many Factor Beyond Test Scores
http://www.krem.com/article/news/local/northwest/new-database-helps-wash-parents-keep-track-of-their-childs-schools/293-530454696
Worth Reading New Book by Sir Ken Robinson: You Can Change the System
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-03-21-sir-ken-robinson-s-next-act-you-are-the-system-and-you-can-change-education
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
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