Author: FairTest

Original Article location: http://diverseeducation.com/article/87965/ Admissions Movement Leaving ACT/SAT Behind October 11, 2016 | : by Pearl Stewart Hampshire College, a liberal arts institution in western Massachusetts, has for the last few years touted the success of its test-blind admissions policy each September with a new report. ­This coincides with the annual college rankings announced by […]

As fallout from November 8 continues to settle, activists across the nation are already pressing newly elected legislators to reduce testing volume, eliminate high-stakes standardized exams, and promote better forms of assessment. Happy Thanksgiving to all ! NationalLessons from NCLB for the Every Student Succeeds Acthttp://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/lessons-from-NCLB AlaskaSchools Get Testing Waiver After Computer Administration Failurehttp://juneauempire.com/local/2016-11-22/alaska-schools-get-testing-waiver FloridaStudents […]

The November 8 tidal wave swamped most other news, but a number of testing-related stories and commentaries still appeared over the past week. Perversely, the ugly election results may create new opportunities for assessment reform victories at the local, state, and even federal levels. NationalFive Things to Watch on ESSA Under Trumphttp://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/11/five_things_to_watch_on_essa_u.html AlabamaBoard of Ed […]

This Election Day, education issues are not center stage for most top-of-the-ticket candidates. But down ballot, teachers, parents and community have put testing policies into play in many state and local races. And, grassroots activists know that, whatever voters decide today, the assessment reform movement will continue to pressure elected officials for fewer standardized exams, […]

Overhauling Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning: New Opportunities under the Every Student Succeeds Act The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) creates valuable opportunities to replace standardized tests with performance assessments. These can promote the engagement, creativity and critical thinking skills that have been stifled by teaching to standardized tests. States can shift to […]

From New York to California and Alaska to Florida, here’s this week’s news from around the U.S. about the surging grassroots assessment reform. Remember that friends and allies can sign up for these free updates athttps://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup AlaskaNew Law Allows Parents to Opt Children Out of Standardized Examshttp://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2016/10/now-in-effect-new-alaska-law-taking-first-step-against-common-core/ ArkansasCommissioner Seeks Input on New Directions for Accountabilityhttp://www.nwaonline.com/news/2016/oct/26/commissioner-asks-for-input-on-school-a/ […]

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the latest version of the long-standing Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It replaces the widely despised “No Child Left Behind.” The new law presents both opportunities and dangers for the testing resistance and reform movement. How can the movement use the opportunities, counter the risks, and win […]

The national wave of opposition to test misuse and overuse continues to swell even as media attention focuses on the closing days of election season. All winning candidates will have to pay heed to the rising tide of grassroots pressure for many fewer standardized exams, an end to high-stakes testing and support for better assessments. […]

With stories from 20 states, this week’s news clips demonstrate the growing breadth and depth of the national movement fighting for fewer standardized tests, no high-stakes exams and better assessments. You can have friends and allies sign up for these updates at:https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup NationalTeachers Want States to Go For Bold Changes Under ESSAhttp://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/10/nea_wants_states_to_go_for_bol.htmlNational FairTest’s “Assessment Matters” […]

This week’s top stories include several about Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS) “Walk-Ins” around the country. The coordinated events included a strong call to end high-stakes tests to make time for more teaching and learning. National School Testing Opponents Plan Next Stepshttp://www.wsj.com/articles/school-testing-opponents-plan-next-steps-147…National Assessment Matters: Constructing Model State Systems to Replace Testing Overkillhttps://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/assessment-matters-constructing-model-state-system Alabama Time […]