Testing Resistance & Reform News: May 16-22, 2013
The assessment reform movement continues to gather steam. This week's stories highlight high-stakes testing protests -- and victories -- in more than a dozen states with additional resistance activities planned for the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
Remember that previous editions of these updates are available at:http://fairtest.org/news
South Carolina Exit Exam Could be History
http://www.thestate.com/2013/05/15/2773149/sc-high-school-graduation-exit.htmlFlorida Test-Based Teacher Evaluation Lawsuit May Impact Other States
http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/Florida-Teacher-Lawsuit-Could-Spread-to-Other-States.htmlSeattle Teachers, Students Celebrate Historic Victory Against Standardized Tests
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/5/20/seattle_teachers_students_win_historic_victory
School Testing Fails the Test
http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/saturdaysoapbox/1136335-14/saturday-soapbox-school-testing-fails-testTexas Senate Passes Bill Reducing Testing in Lower Grades
http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/21/lege-clears-bill-reducing-testing-lower-grades/Why I Opted Out of Standardized Tests -- by FairTest Board member Nikhil Goyal
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nikhilgoyal/2013/05/22/opting-out-of-teacher-evaluation-tests/Am I Part of the Problem or the Solution, featuring FairTest Board member Deborah Meier
http://dianeravitch.net/2013/05/18/deborah-meier-am-i-part-of-the-problem-or-the-solution/Chicago Parents Say "No" to Excessive Standardized Testing
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id"1572GAO Finds 40 States Probed Cheating Allegations
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2013/05/40_states_probed_alleged_cheating_on_tests_federal_report_finds.html
see FairTest Survey on Confirmed Cases of Cheating
http://www.fairtest.org/2013-Cheating-Report-PressReleaseProvidence Student Union Challenges Ed. Commission to Debate Grad Test Requirement
http://www.providencestudentunion.org/2013/05/20/students-invite-commissioner-to-debate-necap-graduation-requirement/New Jersey Activists to Protest Tax Breaks for Pearson Testing Company
http://njeducationnews.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/may-23-pearson-protest/
Take the Pearson Test to See Whether You Also Qualify for Millions in Tax Breaks
http://njeducationnews.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/take-the-pearson-test-see-if-you-qualify-for-millions-in-tax-breaks-too/Upcoming New York State Rally Against High-Stakes Tests and For Better Educational Practices
http://shar.es/Zs6H2Parents Take Stand Against Standardized Test
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/parents-take-stand-against-standardized-testsSchools Add to Test Load Just to Assess Questions
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/20/education/to-sharpen-student-testing-another-round-of-tests.html
Teachers Union Opposes Over-Testing Students
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/opinion/testing-students-again-the-teachers-union-view.html?_r=0Principals Launch Campaign Against High-Stakes, Common Core Tests
http://andreagabor.com/2013/05/15/round-two-new-york-city-principals-mount-a-campaign-against-unfair-testing/
Principals Pledge Not to Use Test Scores to Screen Students
http://www.alternet.org/education/new-york-city-principals-we-wont-use-test-scores-screen-studentsWhy Our New Educator Evaluation System is Unethical
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/05/20/principal-why-our-new-educator-evaluation-system-is-unethical/Testing Companies Are Clear Winners in High-Stakes Exams Debate
http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2013/05/clear_winners_in_school_testin.htmlColumbia Teachers Graduates Protest Award to Leading Promoter of High-Stakes Exams
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/05/21/quiet-protest-staged-at-teachers-college-graduation/How to Avoid Nevada's Testing Train Wreck
http://www.rgj.com/article/20130519/OPED04/305190071/How-avoid-state-s-testing-train-wreckForum Takes on Standardized Testing
http://thenotebook.org/blog/135987/forum-takes-standardized-testingTesting Policies Becomes Local School Board Election Issue
http://www.lohud.com/article/20130516/NEWS/305160076/Ossining-school-board-candidates-disagree-over-testing-systemFallout from Computer Testing Glitch Continues
http://newsok.com/fallout-of-oklahoma-school-testing-glitch-continues/article/3826097Oklahoma Investigates Field Test Opt-Out Campaign
http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Jenks_schools_scrutinized_by_state_education_department/20130519_11_a1_theokl857604?subj=1A Family Decides to Opt Out
http://bluehatmovement.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/opting-out-updated/Campaign for Artful Resistance -- a creative initiative from Save Our Schools
http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/get-involved/the-campaign-for-artful-resistance-2/Authentic Assessments Must Be Included in Teachers' Tool Box -- by Oregon's chief state education officer
http://pamplinmedia.com/pt/10-opinion/152550-new-way-needed-to-gauge-student-progressSpinning Around Again on Education Testing Carousel
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130519-OPINION-305190331Student Test Scores Are Faulty Measure of Teacher Effectiveness
http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2013/05/student_test_scores_are_faulty.htmlWhat if Finland's Great Teachers Taught in the U.S.?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/05/15/what-if-finlands-great-teachers-taught-in-u-s-schools-not-what-you-think/How Michelle Rhee Misled Education Reform
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/113096/how-michelle-rhee-misled-education-reform#Education Reform in the New Jim Crow Era
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/16406-education-reform-in-the-new-jim-crow-eraTeachers Call Social and Emotional Learning "The Missing Piece" in Schools
http://casel.org/themissingpiece/Change the Purpose of Education
More than 1000 four-year colleges and universities do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor-degree applicants.