Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 10 - 16, 2014

It's only the middle of September but assessment reformers have already recorded an initial set of "wins" for the new school year: Pittsburgh significantly reduced district-mandated testing, and Florida suspended a controversial statewide reading exam. Building on successes of the recent past, escalating "enough is enough" pressure on federal, state and local policy-makers should produce many more victories in 2014-2015.  For a list of questions to ask your district, check out the second item in this week's collection of clips.

"Testing Reform Victories: The First Wave"  -- How Much Our Movement Has Already Accomplished  
http://fairtest.org/new-fairtest-report-testing-reform-victories-first

Key Questions to Ask Your District About School Testing
http://takingnote.learningmatters.tv/?p=7218

Connecticut Should Reduce Student Over-Testing
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-ed-cut-student-overtes...

Florida Suspends a Controversial Test as Debate Widens Over School Testing
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/testing/florida-suspends-a-contro...
Another Florida School Board Blasts Testing Overkill
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/education/2014/09/09/standardized...
Lift Florida's Test Obsession Burden
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140912/OPINION/140919833/-1/opinion...
Floridians Stand Against Testing Excess is Long Overdue
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/romano-a-stand-against-school...

Georgia Education Association Seeks Major Reduction in Testing
http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/georgia/2014/09/09/georgia-associ...

Kentucky Public Schools Under Siege by So-Called "Reformers"
http://www.kentucky.com/2014/09/15/3429862_public-schools-under-siege-by...

Massachusetts Needs Less Testing, More Learning -- A Model Letter to the Editor
http://brookline.wickedlocal.com/article/20140912/OPINION/140918288

Putting Minnesota Test Scores in Context
http://www.timberjay.com/stories/Test-scores-in-context,11683

Too Much Testing in New Mexico Schools
http://www.currentargus.com/carlsbad-news/ci_26511345/carlsbad-current-a...

New York Congressman Will File Bill to Cut Federally Mandated Testing in Half
http://www.theislandnow.com/great_neck/rep-israel-bill-seeks-to-limit-st...
New York May Slightly Relax Grad Testing Requirements
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2014/09/new_york_mulls_changes...

New Ohio School Report Cards Show Link Between Poverty and School Performance
http://xeniagazette.com/news/home_top/50621045/New-report-cards-show-lin...

Pittsburgh PA Elementary Schools To Reduce Testing Significantly
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/09/09/Pittsburgh-schools...
Fewer Exams Means More Hours for Learning
http://yinzercation.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/33-more-hours-for-learning/
Parents, Teachers Applaud Pittsburgh's Cutback in Testing
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/09/15/Pittsburgh-s-reduc...

In Texas NEA President Calls for Testing Reform
http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_28c281ac-3963-1...

Introduction to Yong Zhao's New Book, "Fatal Attraction: America's Suicidal Quest for Educational Excellence"
http://zhaolearning.com/2014/09/13/fatal-attraction-americas-suicidal-qu...

"Teach to the Test" Drives Teachers to Quit
http://www.futurity.org/standardized-testing-teachers-quit-762122/

How Young Is Too Young to be Inundated With Standardized Tests
http://www.alternet.org/education/how-young-too-young-be-inundated-tests

Good Morning Mission Hill: A Way to Highlight Your Organization's Work
http://goodmorningmissionhill.com/a-way-to-highlight-your-organizations-...

National Merit Scholarships Continue to Misuse Tests Scores to Award College Aid
http://www.examiner.com/article/national-merit-qualifying-scores-release...

Another Large, Public University Adopts Test-Optional Admissions
http://articles.philly.com/2014-09-10/news/53775454_1_test-scores-rowan-...