Testing Resistance & Reform News: March 21 - 27, 2018

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
office-   (239) 395-6773   fax-  (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
web-  http://www.fairtest.org