Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 27 - October 3, 2017
Many of this week's stories reflect the growing recognition that standardized exam scores do not accurately reflect the realities of student academic achievement or school quality. That's why an ever-increasing number of states and districts are cutting back on the volume of tests and the stakes attached to their results.
Arizona State's School Letter Grades Are Meaningless
http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/joannaallhands/2017/09/27/arizona-school-letter-grades-meaningless/704155001/
California Flat-Lining Smarter Balance Scores Lead to Questions About Test
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/27/california-school-test-scores-why-are-they-flatlining/
District of Columbia Pioneering New Directions Beyond NCLB
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/59d33463e4b043b4fb095c23
Florida State Must Overhaul Test-Score Based Teacher Bonus Program
http://www.ocala.com/opinion/20171003/editorial-state-must-fix-bonus-program
Georgia Governor Rejects ESSA Plan That Would Have Reduced Testing Emphasis
http://www.myajc.com/news/local-education/georgia-gov-nathan-deal-rejects-state-education-plan/Kan1YQIY10kZ9yv81PjahJ/
Georgia Seeking Alternatives to Standardized Tests
http://www.myajc.com/news/local-education/georgia-search-for-alternative-standardized-state-tests/VTiTaH5QeVMSSkFEuQnSvL/
Indiana Clarification Needed on Graduation Requirement Changes
http://news.wjct.org/post/educators-want-clarity-graduation-requirement-changes
Kentucky Big Problems with Big Data
https://insiderlouisville.com/business/data-scientist-big-problem-with-big-data/
Massachusetts A Better Way to Measure School Quality
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-better-way-to-measure-school-quality.html
Missouri Kindergarten Assessment Hell
http://missourieducationwatchdog.com/kindergarten-in-2017-assessment-hell/
New Jersey Future of PARCC Test Will Be Determined by Gubernatorial Election Outcome
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/njspotlight/njspotlight_20170929_Latest_PARCC_Results_Released__But_Fate_of_Tests_After_Elections_Is_Murky.html
Ohio State Report Does Not Reflect District Success
http://www.sent-trib.com/news/front_page/otsego-school-board-state-grade-card-score-doesn-t-reflect/article_6dd0a3ac-8c2a-5f92-ade5-37ee2c4a25de.html
Ohio State Mandated Testing Compromises Educational Goals
http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/20171002/letter-to-editor-state-education-testing-compromises-educational-goals
Pennsylvania Educators, Parents Hope Pendulum is Swinging on Standardized Testing
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-education-pssa-testing-changes-in-classroom-20170912-story.html
South Carolina Let Teachers Teach!
http://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/letter-let-us-teach/article_76fd3da2-a397-11e7-8582-c7dd89787077.html
Tennessee Confusion Over Growth Model With Missing Data From Cancelled Test
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2017/09/28/theres-always-been-confusion-surrounding-tennessees-growth-model-with-a-missing-year-of-data-new-questions-pile-on/
Texas Lawmakers Seek to Delay, Waive Testing Requirements for Students Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
http://www.kristv.com/story/36479931/lawmakers-ask-to-delay-waive-standardized-tests-for-students-impacted-by-harvey
Utah There Should Be More to School Grades Than Test Mastery
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2017/09/29/tribune-editorial-theres-more-to-a-grade-than-test-mastery/
Vermont Testing Changes Make Past Data Useless
http://www.stowetoday.com/news_and_citizen/news/local_news/two-years-of-student-data-trashed-after-change/article_564249b8-a45a-11e7-bb48-9b3949324f82.html
Vermont Keeping Standardized Exams in Perspective
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/meg-woolmington-standardized-testing-in-perspective,520899
Virginia Parents Should Opt Their Children Out of State Tests
http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/commentary/jeffrey-opt-out-of-sols/article_944742c1-682a-538b-8302-375459cf9050.html
Virginia State Withholds Accreditation From School That Encouraged Cheating
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/state-withholds-accreditation-from-petersburg-school-accused-of-helping-students/article_6e930b90-4baa-5173-b89b-5dc5d4325b5c.html
University Admissions New SAT Scores Sow Confusion
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/new-sat-scores-sow-confusion-over-how-to-tell-a-good-result/2017/09/25/8732abce-a1f5-11e7-ade1-76d061d56efa_story.html
University Admission Class of 2017 SAT Scores Are Meaningless, Test Redesign Was Marketing Ploy
http://fairtest.org/reaction-class-2017-sat-results
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office- (239) 395-6773 fax- (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org
More than 1000 four-year colleges and universities do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor-degree applicants.