Author: FairTest

Intense controversies over testing continue at the state and local levels. Many legislatures and school boards are responding to the demands of grassroots assessment reformers by eliminating some standardized exams and reducing the stakes attached to their scores. NationalNew Federal Law May Increase Testing of English Language Learnershttp://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/24/more-testing-is-forecast-for-nations-ell.html AlabamaChanges Could Be Coming to State Testinghttp://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2017/05/30/changes-could-be-coming-to-state-testing/ […]

Across the country, the academic year is winding down. Many school districts have already closed for the summer. Yet, testing controversies remain as intense as ever with advocates for fewer standardized exams and lower stakes winning more victories. Remember that assessment reform allies can sign up to receive these free weekly news updates by clicking […]

FairTest collaborated with the National Coalition of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA) Time on Learning Committee to develop a survey that teacher unions can use with their members to expose the consequences of high-stakes testing. It can easily be adapted for use by parent, student and community groups. https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/time-to-learn-survey-impact-of-testing FloridaTeachers Criticize District-Created Course Finals Used for […]

Model Testing Survey Here are the survey questions, unformatted, that you could copy to format a survey in a tool other than JotForm. To see what the format could be, check out the pdf or the JotForm versions. The language below in brackets [ ] provides instructions for formatting but is not part of the […]

As the school year wraps up in many parts of the country, the assessment reform movement is simultaneously focused on the semester’s final round of standardized exams and on how state plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act will change testing in the future. NationalHow States Plan to Evaluate Schools in the ESSA Era: The […]

FairTest worked with the National Coalition of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA) Time on Learning Committee to develop a survey that teacher unions can use with their members to expose the consequences of high-stakes testing. It can be adapted for use by parent, student and community groups. The survey is available at https://www.jotform.com/form-templates/2017-time-to-learn-survey. For instructions on […]

Assessment reform proposals continue to move forward in many state legislatures as grassroots pressure from parents, educators and community leaders forces policy makers to reconsider standardized exam overkill. If you have friends or allies who would benefit from these weekly updates, please encourage them to sign up for this free service at:https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup CaliforniaLegislature Moves Closer […]

From state after state, there are encouraging reports of progress toward curbing standardized exam overkill and creating opportunities for alternative assessments and accountability systems. As always, grassroots activism — via opt-out campaigns, lobbying, public education, etc. — is the key to pressuring policy makers to adopt genuine reforms. ArizonaNew School Rating System Relies Less on […]

With stories from 20 states, this week’s news clips demonstrate the breadth and depth of the grassroots assessment reform movement. Effective advocacy by parents, students, educators and community leaders across the nation is pressuring more and more policy makers to cut back testing overuse and misuse, creating space for better systems of assessment. NationalLong Judged […]

As peak school testing season nears in many states, grassroots activists are winning more and more victories against standardized exam overuse and misuse. Parents, educators, community leaders and their allies need to keep pressure on policy makers to curb testing overkill and create more space for performance assessments. ArkansasRethinking School Grades http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/apr/16/new-laws-focus-on-english-learners-scho/ CaliforniaHigh Schools Turning […]