Resist the Tests 2016

Welcome! This page lists standardized test resistance, refusal and reform actions and events by state. These include opting out, public forums and meetings, rallies, news conferences, legislative action days, and more.

If you have an action or event to share, let us know at fairtest@fairtest.org and we will post it here.

You can use the hashtags #resistthetests and #optout2016 to post your actions on Facebook and Twitter.

Protests against standardized testing misuse and overuse have exploded across the nation and will escalate in 2016. The movement has already won victories, with some states reversing high-stakes policies and reducing testing. But we need to keep up the pressure for larger wins. The Testing Resistance and Reform network of local, state and national groups fights for assessment that helps all students succeed in a high-quality education. We unite around three goals:

1. Stop high-stakes use of standardized tests;
2. Reduce the number of standardized exams, saving time and money for real learning; and
3. Replace the mostly-multiple-choice tests with performance-based assessments and evidence of learning from students’ ongoing classwork.

Need help with resistance questions or issues? For a list of FairTest and United Opt Out state contacts, see http://www.fairtest.org/get_involved/state_resources.

Subscribe to weekly testing resistance and reform news summary at http://www.fairtest.org/weekly-news-signup or read them at http://www.fairtest.org/news/other.

Events and Actions by State, beginning March 15, 2016

• Alabama
  
• Alaska
  
• Arizona
  
• Arkansas
  
• California
  
• Colorado
  
• Connecticut
  
• Delaware
  
• Florida
  
• For more information, see https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/

  • PAST FL EVENTS

    • March 28 – Winter Haven. Community Forum at 1251 Jim Keene Blvd. 6:30 PM. Send questions in advance to testing@theledger.com.
      
• Georgia

  • April – Opt Out meetings are happening and opting out is starting despite lots of resistance. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/OptOutGeorgia1/ – have to join, events are down right side.
    

• Hawaii
  
• Idaho
  
• Illinois
  
• For Chicago information, see http://morethanascorechicago.org/

  • PAST IL EVENTS:

    • Chicago area – “Let’s Talk Testing” public meetings: Avondale (3/18), Oak Park (3/21), Bridgeport (3/22), North Center (3/23), Belmont-Cragin (3/26), Rogers Park (3/28) and St. James Presbyterian Church, 6554 N Rockwell (March 28). For more information: info@morethanascorechicago.org ; 413-3OPTOUT
      [For updates, see http://morethanascorechicago.org/2016/02/25/lets-talk-testing-2/]
    • More than 70% of 8th graders at Addams on the SE side refused PARCC April 1
      #optout #boycottPARCC #ShutItDown
      
• Indiana
  
• Iowa
  
• Kansas
  
• Kentucky
  
• Louisiana
  
• Maine
  
• Maryland

  • April 15, Baltimore, noon walk out against the PARCC test. 1:00 PM rally. https://twitter.com/AlgebraProject/status/719664655027867648

• Massachusetts
  
• For more resources, see http://www.citizensforpublicschools.org/less-testing-more-learning-ma-campaign/

  • May 17, Boston, student walkout at 1:00 PM, to City Hall at 2. One of 4 demands is an end to high-stakes testing.
    

  • May 22 – student led protest organized by 4th graders, in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Meet at 10 AM at G&P playground, 44 Linnean St., to make signs, then march to Harvard Square by T-stop. All welcome.

    
    

  • MA PAST EVENTS
    • March 16, Cambridge, Education Forum

    • March 30, Boston, “Take the Test” Day, organized by YOUNG for legislators and others, hourly testing 10-4, State House, Rm 511.

    • March 30 – New Bedford Library, Testing – Opt Out – Public Education Discussion – 613 Pleasant St., 6:30 – 8:30 PM; more info, Ricardo Rosa: ricardorosa1973@yahoo.com

    • April 2, Ludlow, Opt Out Meeting, Hubbard Memorial Library, 10 AM till 12 noon.

    • Tuesday, April 5th Hingham, Opt Out informational meeting, Sons of Italy Hall, 88 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy, 7-8 PM; teachers from four or more towns among participants/presenters.

    • April 7, Q&A on testing, Ludlow Community Center, 91 Claudias Way, Ludlow
      
    • April 9, Lynn Tech annex – Lynn Teachers & MA Ed Justice Alliance event includes workshops on testing; 9-3, testing workshops before lunch; see https://www.facebook.com/events/929242453864134/
      
    • April 12, Norton – Mass Teachers Assn meeting at Norton Middle School, 6:30 – 7:30.
      
    • Tuesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. Community discussion on public schools, the charter cap and testing, at the LTC Center, 246 Market St. Lowell, MA 01852.
• Michigan
  
• Minnesota
  
• Mississippi

  • April 7 – Greenville, MS Assn. of Educators: ESSA Parent & Community Meeting 6-7:30 PM, 712 McAllister St., Greenville, MS
    

• Missouri
  
• Montana
  
• Nebraska
  
• Nevada

  • Ongoing: Protect Nevada’s Children, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633653620234619/, focuses on data mining, calls for opting out of state exams (SBAC)
    

• New Hampshire
  
• New Jersey
  
• For more resources, see http://www.saveourschoolsnj.org/refusing-parcc-test

  • May 4, rally and testimony at state board of education against use of PARCC test for graduation – 50,000 have not yet passed; by New Jersey Kids and Families; http://njkidsandfamilies.org/.
    

  • May 20, Rutgers Research Conference on “School Reform, Communities, and Social Justice.” Open to public, limited space. More info at http://tinyurl.com/edreformandsocialjustice
    
  • NJ PAST EVENTS
    • March 22nd in Monroe a showing of Defies Measurement and discussion. Details here
    • March 23 – PARCC information session, 340 Greentree Rd, Sewell, NJ
    • March 24th in Camden a panel discussion about the PARCC test and understanding your rights as parents. Details here
    • March 24th in Jersey City a panel discussion about PARCC, graduation requirements and your rights as parents. Details here
    • March 28th in South Brunswick a panel discussion about PARCC and your rights as parents. Details here
    • March 31st in Maplewood a panel discussion about PARCC and your rights as parents. Details here
    • March 31: Panel Discussion ‘Opting Out of the PARCC Test’ at Hilton Branch – The Village Green http://villagegreennj.com/schools-kids/panel-discussion-asks-implications-opting-parcc-march-31/
    • April 6, 9:30 AM – Protest against use of PARCC as graduation test, in front of NJ Dept. of Education during Board of Ed meeting; 100 River View Plaza, Trenton; more info at https://www.facebook.com/events/245830279091165

• New Mexico

  • April 14, forum on testing with Jesse Hagopian (More than a Score) and others, 6 PM, Santa Fe Higher Education Center 1950 Siringo Road
    

• New York
  • Regular updates on NY actions are available at http://www.nysape.org/eventspressletters.html and for more resources for action, see http://www.nysape.org/resources.html
    
  • April 30, 2016•12:30 PM “Buffalo Students Deserve” Rally, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY
    Host Contact Info: wny@nysutmail.org
    
  • April – Opt Out rates are reported higher in lower Hudson Valley districts than last year. See http://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2016/04/05/common-core-opt-out/82621670/.

  • NY PAST EVENTS
    • March 28 – ‘The State of Public Education,’ film and discussion, Southhampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Ln, 7 pm
    • March – Local public forums across state (e.g., 15 on Long Island)
    • March – multiple trucks with opt out signs in English and Spanish
    • March – public outreach via paid ads (local unions), postcards/letters to parents
    • March 30, press conference, NYC, City Hall, to demand Chancellor Farina inform parents of their right to opt out; 10 AM; multiple city and state organizations.
    • March 30, Manhattan, Conversation about Testing, Auditorium of PS185/208, 21 W 111th, 6:30 PM.
    • April 4, Twitter storm to support “Twas the Night B4 #optout2016”; if you are on Twitter or Facebook, support by joining the Twitter storm at https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/39791-twas-the-night-b4-optout2016
    • April 6, Thousands opt out, growing numbers of people of color, http://tinyurl.com/h599777
    • April 5, Half of Long Island students opting out, http://tinyurl.com/zr866yr
    • April 5, Big opt out numbers in lower Hudson Valley, http://tinyurl.com/hhwflnx
    • April 5, One third opt out in Monroe County (Rochester area), http://tinyurl.com/hatrao8

• North Carolina
  
• North Dakota
  
• Ohio
  
• Oklahoma
  
• Oregon
  • OREGON PAST EVENTS
    • Monday March 28, Mythbusting the “Facts” About Public Education, Ford Alumni Center, University of Oregon, Room 202

• Pennsylvania
  
• Rhode Island
  
• South Carolina
  
• South Dakota
  
• Tennessee

  • TN PAST EVENTS

    • March 11 – 223 students (41%) opt out at Normal Park School, Chattanooga
      
• Texas

  • Ongoing, Houston opt out academy – see details at http://www.houstoncvpe.org/opt_out_academy
    

• Utah
  
• Vermont
  
• Virginia
  
• Washington

  • WA PAST EVENTS:

    March 31 – April 6, Seattle Opt Out Bus stops at schools and other locales, concludes at School Board with a news conference. More info and photos at
    https://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/opt-out-bus-spring-tour-in-seattle/
    

• West Virginia