High Stakes Testing Rollback Continues: Assessment Reform News–March 2023

Bills to roll back high-stakes exam overkill and replace standardized tests with performance assessments are advancing in multiple state legislatures.  Check out FairTest’s directory of model assessment reform proposals at: https://fairtest.org/model-legislation/


Alabama 
State Ed Board Considers Dropping High School ACT Test Requirement
https://www.al.com/educationlab/2023/03/alabama-considers-dropping-high-school-act-test-requirement.html

California 
The Challenge of Determining the Meaning of Test Scores
https://www.delmartimes.net/our-columns/story/2023-03-13/education-matters-the-challenge-of-interpreting-test-scores

Colorado 
New Bill Encourages Innovative Educational Assessments That Encourage Deeper Learning
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2023A/bills/2023a_1239_01.pdf
Colorado Supers Want Changes in State Accountability System
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2951896447997-denver-area-school-supers-want-changes-to-state-accountability-system

Florida 
A Test-Based “Achievement” Mirage
https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/achievement-mirages

Louisiana 
Board Considers Waiving Graduation Test Requirement for English Language Learners
https://www.wdsu.com/article/louisiana-leap-test-bese-board-emergency-waiver/43237476

Michigan
 Legislature Sends Bill Repealing Third Grade Retention Law to Governor
https://detroit.chalkbeat.org/2023/3/7/23629746/michigan-third-grade-retention-reading-repeal-gov-gretchen-whitmer-house
Michigan Lawmakers Want to Nix A-to-F School Grading Scheme
https://detroit.chalkbeat.org/2023/3/13/23638609/michigan-school-grades-a-f-eliminate-regina-weiss
Nebraska Legislature Hears Testimony on Bill to Eliminate “Basic Skills” Test for New Teachers
https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-legislature-teachers-testing-requirements/43299761

New Jersey 
State Fails to Do Promised Review of Proposed 2024 Grad Test Cut Scores
https://edlawcenter.org/news/archives/secondary-reform/nj-state-board-of-education,-njdoe-fail-to-do-their-homework.html

New York 
NYC Schools Turn to Computerized Test Prep Before State Exams
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-schools-turn-to-screen-based-learning-ahead-of-state-tests

North Carolina Licensing Exam Hurdle Blocks Popular Art Teacher
https://www.wunc.org/education/2023-03-13/ms-art-teaching-exam-stands-cumberland-thompson-fayetteville

Tennessee 
Third Grade Reading Test Law Could Retain 2,700+ Young Children in Memphis Alone
https://tn.chalkbeat.org/2023/3/10/23634651/memphis-shelby-county-schools-third-grade-retention-law-bill-lee-mississippi-reading-tcap
Tennessee What Should the State Learn from Michigan’s Action to Repeal Third Grade Retention Law
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2951896447997-denver-area-school-supers-want-changes-to-state-accountability-system

Texas 
Concerns Rise as First Computerized School Tests Are About to Begin
https://www.khou.com/article/news/news-explainers/the-why/texas-staar-test-changes/285-3f29f14c-0a2b-4787-ab57-aa64cb3ce436

University Admissions 
Brown Is Final “Ivy” to Extend ACT/SAT-Optional Policy Through at Least Fall 2024 
https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2023/03/brown-extends-test-optional-policy-for-2023-24-admissions-cycle

Worth Reading
 Lessons Never Learned: From VAM to SOR
https://radicalscholarship.com/2023/03/06/lessons-never-learned-from-vam-to-sor/