Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 8 – 14, 2021

Standardized test scores from spring 2021 continue to trickle out. So far, however, there’s little evidence that the results are being used to addressed the pandemic’s fully-expected impact, as testing advocates had promised. Rhetoric abounds, but it’s hard to find concrete examples of states, districts or schools targeting resources to the neediest students or making other significant educational policy changes.

ArizonaPandemic Impacted 2021 Test Scores, Just as Expected
https://www.gilbertsunnews.com/news/pandemic-impacted-gilbert-student-achievement-tests/article_507401ce-1351-11ec-8e66-271b28e7f918.html

CaliforniaState Will Give Shorter Versions of Reading and Math Tests Next Spring
https://edsource.org/2021/california-will-give-a-short-version-of-its-standardized-math-and-english-tests-next-spring/661039

ColoradoReview Test Scores With Caution
https://www.soprissun.com/2021/09/08/test-results-require-a-closer-look/

FloridaGovernor Claims He Will Overhaul State’s School Assessment System, Reduce Testing Burden
https://floridaphoenix.com/2021/09/14/desantis-administration-wants-to-reduce-outdated-state-testing-in-fl-but-will-the-feds-approve/
Florida The Testing Game Grinds On, Just Like the Pandemic
https://grumpyoldteacher.com/2021/09/11/when-one-window-closes-another-opens/

MassachusettsMissing from Back-to-School Test-Score Fixation: A Time to Heal
https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2021/09/13/massachusetts-pandemic-back-to-school-kids-mental-health-neema-avashia

MichiganTake Spring 2021 Assessment Results with a Grain of Salt
https://wdet.org/posts/2021/09/07/91403-take-poor-michigan-assessment-results-with-a-grain-of-salt-education-advocate-says/

MississippiStudents Are More Than Test Scores
https://cdispatch.com/opinions/2021-09-13/dr-angela-farmer-the-heart-of-the-matter/

New JerseyProtests Against Restoration of High School Grad Test Requirement
https://www.nj.com/education/2021/09/nj-schools-will-require-a-new-graduation-test-starting-this-spring.html

New YorkStop Testing Kids Into a Tizzy
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-stop-testing-nyc-into-a-tizzy-20210914-uu6msklb6zhsjjomgjznt6qrrq-story.html

New York Changes to Selective High School Admissions Process May Come Soon
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/nyregion/how-the-mayors-big-decision-could-upend-nyc-school-admissions.html

North CarolinaDistricts Focus on Meeting Students’ Needs This Fall, Not Last Spring’s Test Scores
https://www.wral.com/triangle-school-districts-focusing-on-fall-term-not-spring-test-scores/19868966/

North Carolina COVID Disruptions Give State Chance to Replace Flawed School Grading System
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article254181918.html

VirginiaHigh Stakes Standardized Testing Supports Educational Racism
https://commonwealthtimes.org/2021/09/08/educational-racism-is-stopping-bright-minds-from-excelling-in-school/

Worth ReadingSchools Should Not Succumb to Test Score Design Panic
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/09/10/schools-should-not-succumb-to-testing-panic/

Worth Reading Addressing Test Score “Learning Loss” Is Not Top Priority for Students or Teachers
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-09-07-how-do-you-open-school-in-a-pandemic-start-by-asking-teachers-and-students

University AdmissionsAbout 3/4 of all U.S. Colleges, Universities Are ACT/SAT-Optional or Test-Blind/Score Free for Fall 2022
https://www.fairtest.org/1700-colleges-and-universities-do-not-require-SAT-for-2022

University Admissions Many Fewer College Applicants Submitted ACT/SAT Scores Last Year
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/09/09/study-reveals-which-applicants-didnt-submit-test-scores

University Admissions U.S. News Misuses Test Scores to Generate Bogus, Garbage Rankings
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/09/13/us-news-tweaks-its-methodology

University Admissions Debate on Value of ACT/SAT Optional Admissions: FairTest vs Test-Prep Entrepreneur
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moderated-debate-test-optional-admissions-does-it-really-work-tickets-168114423767?aff=Fairtest
(use code Fairest. for 30% discount)

Bob Schaeffer, Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-https://fairtest.org.org
email-bobschaeffer@fairtest.org

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