Author: FairTest

A very Happy Thanksgiving to all! FairTest is especially thankful for all the grassroots activists and policymakers who have won so many assessment reform victories in 2018. You can help the movement to end testing misuse and overuse become even stronger by making your “Giving Tuesday” donation to FairTest during this holiday week. National Debate […]

Last week’s sweeping electoral changes mean that new leaders should be more receptive to assessment reform initiatives in many jurisdictions. Contact FairTest for assistance in running your winning grassroots campaign! Florida If Anyone is to Blame for Low Test Scores, It’s the State Legislature https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/SAT-scores-still-lag-in-Florida-which-means-politicians-are-still-failing_173420937 Georgia Education Testing Policy Too Important to Be Left Up […]

You don’t need another reminder that it is Election Day. But, do remember that your vote can boost candidates who support genuine assessment reforms, not another layer of counter-productive test-and-punish schemes. If you want to change policies, you have to change the policy makers! National What Education Wonks Will Be Watching for in Election Results […]

Grassroots pressure to overhaul testing intensifies as the mid-term elections draw near. Be prepared to start meeting with newly elected policy-makers to educate them about your agenda before the year-end holidays. You can help strengthen the national assessment reform movement right now by contributing to FairTest’s upcoming “Heroes in Education” fundraiser honoring retiring Executive Director […]

for further information: Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773 mobile (239) 699-0468 embargoed for use with 2018 College Board SAT scores — Wednesday, October 25, 2018 “REDESIGNED” SAT FAILED TO SLOW TEST-OPTIONAL MOMENTUM; 130 MORE SCHOOLS DROP ADMISSIONS EXAM SINCE NEW SAT ANNOUNCED; 1,020+ COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES NOW DO NOT REQUIRE SAT OR ACT SCORES “Though a massive […]

Election Day 2018 is only two weeks away. There’s still time to identify and support candidates who will promote assessments that advance deeper learning and stronger teaching, not impose counter-productive test-and-punish policies. Remember: if you want to change bad policies, you have to change policy makers! National Vote Against Narrow-Minded School “Reformers” Who Promote Test-and-Punish […]

for further information: Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773 cell (239) 699-0468 for use with annual ACT scores, Wednesday, October 17, 2018 NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING ACT DECLINES SHARPLY AS MANY MORE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES DROP ADMISSIONS EXAMS; 1020+ SCHOOLS ARE NOW ACT/SAT-OPTIONAL; K-12 “TEST-AND-PUNISH” POLICIES DID NOT HELP “COLLEGE READINESS” The number of students taking the […]

More assessment reform progress to report with Pennsylvania about to roll back its high school exit test and Indiana offering graduation pathways that do not rely on testing. But, there are still many stories about the negative impacts of testing overkill, particularly the damage done to minority and low-income children. Arizona Educators Blast “A to […]

This week’s stories again demonstrate that the American public is fed up with testing overkill and wants assessments that support learning and teaching. You can help accelerate testing reform, honor former FairTest Executive Director Monty Neill as a “Hero in Education,” and welcome his successor, Andre Green, by clicking on http://www.fairtest.org/join-fairtest-celebrating-monty-neill-and-welcomin Arizona Education “Progress Meter” […]

Controversies continue to swirl around policies that promote standardized testing misuse and overuse, and some policy-makers are taking action. There’s real progress to report in many states — check out this week’s clips for details of assessment reform victories! California Governor Vetoes Bill Allowing Districts to Use ACT/SAT as Mandatory Grade 11 Test https://edsource.org/2018/gov-brown-vetoes-bill-to-let-districts-give-sat-or-act-as-11th-grade-test/603058 California […]