k-12

for further information:
Bob Schaeffer  (239) 395-6773
                   cell  (239) 699-0468

for immediate release, Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Over the summer, there's been a sharp increase in investigative reports about the companies that make standardized exams, the fraudulent school grades derived from them, and the collateral damage from testing overkill. All of this will be valuable ammunition to escalate assessment reform campaigns when school resumes as soon as next week in some parts of the south and west.

How much more evidence do policy makers need before they recognize that test-and-punish policies have failed? Learning gains have stagnated, progress toward closing the "achievement gap" has stalled, and their constituents increasingly reject the strategy. Even some of their strongest newspaper editorial page allies -- including the New York Times and Los Angeles Times -- are saying that it is time to look at alternative approaches.  Enough is enough!

Major National Survey Finds Parents Strongly Oppose Standardized Testing Misuse and Overuse

See FairTest short report on grassroots testing resistance in 8 states/districts based on interviews with activists, The Spring 2013 Testing Reform Uprising.

We will post a more detailed report later this summer - so check back.

FairTest: Constituents must pressure Congress to overhaul NCLB - Washington Post Answer Sheet column.

Read the column here. (PDF)

for further information:
Dr. Monty Neill    (617) 477-9792
or Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773
                                       
for immediate release, Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Assessment that Supports Education

Recently, Boston area students and teachers organized an excellent conference, “Creating the Schools We Deserve.” It focused on what schools should be like and how we can win them. The conversations made clear that most people have never had the privilege of experiencing the kind of life-affirming, engaging, supportive, and multicultural schooling we can see at Boston’s Mission Hill School.   

Building a Successful Assessment Reform Movement -- A Three-Part Series by FairTest

FairTest staff analyze the growing resistance to high-stakes tests and propose steps toward growing a larger, more effective movement. Part I discusses the need for over-arching strategies to guide the work. Part II explains why we need to push for authentic assessments. And Part III offers specific tactics activists can employ.