Testing Resistance & Reform News: October 26 - November 1, 2016

Alaska New Law Allows Parents to Opt Children Out of Standardized Exams
http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2016/10/now-in-effect-new-alaska-law-taking-first-step-against-common-core/

Arkansas Commissioner Seeks Input on New Directions for Accountability
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2016/oct/26/commissioner-asks-for-input-on-school-a/

California State Rejects Feds Push to Administer Old Science Tests
https://edsource.org/2016/california-officials-reject-federal-governments-push-to-administer-old-science-tests/571171
California Strengths and Weaknesses of New District Accountability Plan
https://edsource.org/2016/finally-districts-accountability-plans-may-be-easier-to-read-and-use/571441

Connecticut Tempers Flare Over Using Student Scores to Evaluate Teachers
http://ctmirror.org/2016/10/25/grading-teachers-tempers-flare-over-use-of-student-test-scores/
Connecticut Reader Responds to Standardized Test Scores
http://woodbridgetownnews.com/letter-reader-responds-standardized-test-scores/

Florida Educators Speak Out on Test-Based Grade Retention
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/teachers-perspectives-on-3rd-grade-retention-in-seminole/
Florida Music Teacher Faces Firing for Test Administration Problems
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/tampa-teacher-facing-firing-describes-year-end-music-test-as-her-worst/2300320

Georgia Districts Request to Replace State Grade School Testing Denied
http://www.newtoncitizen.com/news/school/ncss-request-for-alternative-testing-denied/article_e64c4fda-1d8c-56fa-a462-f4c48282e7d4.html

Illinois Strong Link Between Poverty and Tests Scores Continues
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161031/news/161039759/

Indiana School Leaders Demand Replacement of State Test
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/10/26/school-leaders-demand-action-istep-replacement/92779862/
Indiana Superintendents' Letter
http://www.thehoosiertopics.com/news/2016-11-01/Columns/Questioning_results_of_ISTEP.html

Michigan Voters Overwhelmingly Oppose Closing Schools Based on Test Scores
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/voters_overwhelmingly_oppose_c.html

New Jersey PARCC Requirements Unfair, Premature
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/10/26/parcc-requirements-unfair-premature/92765760/
New Jersey Board Decries PARCC Grad Test Bar
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_2b3dcd5a-9f7e-11e6-b4b8-b3cde1f67932.html
New Jersey More Students Refused PARCC Tests in 2016
http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/fewer-millburn-high-school-students-take-n-j-standardized-test-in-2016-1.1682881

New Mexico Trial Date Set in Lawsuit Against Teacher Evaluation System
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/unions-finally-get-trial-date-in-state-s-maligned-teacher/article_70205dd3-69ab-5f21-95c8-ffaad8c2e046.html

New York Selective Arts High School Should Let Applicants Demonstrate Talents, Not Test Scores
http://citylimits.org/2016/10/28/cityviews-citys-arts-high-schools-must-let-kids-demonstrate-talent-rather-than-rely-on-tests/

Ohio Local School Board Opposes State-Mandated Testing
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-education/northmont-school-board-opposes-state-testing/yCBgdrLjCJDKHQOaKDB9TM/
Ohio New Graduation Testing Requirements Under Fire
http://madison-press.com/news/188582/new-graduation-requirements-under-fire

Oklahoma Tulsa Super Says State A-to-F School Grades Deeply Flawed
http://www.newson6.com/story/33499362/tps-superintendent-state-a-f-report-cards-deeply-flawed
Oklahoma Analysis Shows Strong Correlation Between School Ratings and Student Poverty
http://kosu.org/post/analysis-shows-correlation-between-poverty-and-low-performing-schools

Pennsylvania Error Correction Changes Score Reports of 625 Schools
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/10/error_is_fixed_in_school_repor.html#incart_river_index 
Pennsylvania House Approves Bill Allowing Grad Test Flexibility for Vocational Education Students
http://www.tribdem.com/news/house-approves-bill-giving-test-options-to-vocational-students/article_c4d3421e-9f1b-11e6-ad9c-938167b94e1c.html

Tennessee District to Reconsider Teacher Evaluation System
http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2016/10/31/knox-schools-reconsider-teacher-evalulation-system/93079982/

Texas El Paso Test Cheating Trial Testimony
http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/education/episd/2016/10/25/ex-episd-official-gina-oaxaca-denies-scam-role/92731612/
Texas State Seeks Input on New Federal Education Law But Restrictions Linger
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/State-seeks-input-on-new-eduction-law-but-10423894.php

Utah State's School Grading System Makes Everything Worse
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4506407-155/editorial-utahs-system-of-grading-schools

Wyoming Parents Across America Comments on State ESSA Implementation
http://parentsacrossamerica.org/paa-comments-essa-wyoming-community-roundtable/

ACT/SAT College Admissions Process Unfairly Favors Higher-Income Applicants
http://thewellesleynews.com/2016/10/26/college-admissions-process-unfairly-favors-higher-income-applicants/#comment-2026

International U.K Teachers Threaten Test Boycott as Government Promises Assessment Policy Review
https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/union-ballots-sats-boycott-mps-call-testing-be-suspended

Worth Reading Large Racial Gaps on New Teacher Certification Test
http://hechingerreport.org/on-a-classroom-based-test-for-new-teachers-black-teachers-score-lower/
Worth Reading New Advocacy Group Criticizes Federal Teacher-Prep Regulations
https://dianeravitch.net/2016/11/01/the-federal-teacher-prep-regulations-are-costly-and-harmful/