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

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