Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 1 - 7, 2017

Submitted by fairtest on February 7, 2017 - 2:45pm

news
other

Check out all the assessment reform activity in state legislatures as national polling shows strong public support for reducing testing overkill

National Poll Data Show Most Americans Do Not Think Standardized Tests Are Good Measure of Students or Schools
http://www.publicschooloptions.org/splash.html
http://www.publicschooloptions.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/National-PSO-11-28-16-Public-Update.pdf

Colorado Educator Ratings Don't Account for Student Poverty
http://gazette.com/colorado-educator-evaluations-do-not-account-for-disadvantaged-school-populations/article/1596168

Connecticut Failed Smarter Balanced Common Core Tests Hurt Students and Schools
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Wendy-Lecker-Failed-common-core-tests-punish-10906971.php

Florida Governor Seeks Repeal of Test-Based Teacher Bonus Program
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/os-best-brightest-teacher-bonuses-scott-20170131-story.html
Florida Challenge to Third Grade Retention Law Heads Back to Court
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/challenge-of-floridas-third-grade-retention-law-heads-back-to-court/2312016
Florida New Certification Test by Pearson Flunks Many Qualified Teachers
http://www.abcactionnews.com/longform/teachers-failing-state-certification-test-at-alarming-rates

Louisiana State Ed Super Shows New Flexibility About Tests' Role in School Grades
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2017/02/louisiana_report_card.html

Massachusetts New Opt-Out Legislative Proposal
http://www.citizensforpublicschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/MCAS-opt-out-bill.pdf
Massachusetts Public Meeting on New Accountability Standards Under ESSA
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/grading_the_schools_new_standa.html

Michigan Legislature Moves Toward Repealing "Failing" Schools Law
http://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-lawmakers-move-forward-repealing-failing-schools-law

New Mexico Ed Secretary Wants to Reduce Test Weight in Teacher Evaluation
http://nmpolitics.net/index/2017/01/skandera-wants-to-reduce-weight-of-test-scores-on-teacher-evals/
New Mexico Legislation Calls for Exploring ESSA Alternative Assessment Grant Application
https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/17%20Regular/memorials/senate/SJM001.html

New York Why You Should Continue to Opt Out in 2017 Fact Sheet
http://www.nysape.org/2017-opt-out-fact-sheet.html

Ohio Concerns About Ever-Changing Graduation Testing Requirements
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/news/local/2017/02/05/new-grad-rules-raising-local-concerns-ross-county-schools-education/97438958/

Oklahoma Lawmaker Targets Third Grade Reading Promotion Test
http://kfor.com/2017/02/02/oklahoma-lawmaker-proposes-changes-to-reading-sufficiency-act/

Pennsylvania Bill Would Ease Grad Test Requirement for Vocational and Career Ed Students
http://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/house-bill-would-ease-graduation-criteria-for-vocational-students

South Carolina ESSA Town Hall Supports Shift Away From High-Stakes Testing
http://www.wjcl.com/article/town-hall-to-improve-education-in-beaufort-county/8684646

Texas "Teaching Over Testing" Act Filed to Reduce Exam Volume and Stakes
http://www.kvue.com/news/education/hb1333-standardized-testing-reform-bill-filed/395524912

West Virginia New Governor Seeks Different Course for Testing, Accountability
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-education/20170204/justice-pursuing-a-different-course-in-education

Wisconsin State Test Scores Do Not Measure School Success
http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=33813

University Admission ACT/SAT Tests Outdated and Inaccurate
http://www.sonomastatestar.com/opinion/2017/2/2/standardized-testing-outdated-and-inaccurate

International Israeli University Will Base Admission on Course Grades Rather than Test Scores
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/1.769028

Worth Reading Is Standardized Testing a Help or a Hindrance
http://www.postbulletin.com/life/lifestyles/marcus-yao-is-standardized-testing-a-help-or-a-hindrance/article_ef439a68-7128-51b8-b964-c7ebca0bbf33.html
Worth Reading School Climate Really Does Affect Academic Success
https://thejournal.com/articles/2017/02/06/school-climate-really-does-affect-academics.aspx