From opting out of tests to demonstrating at state capitals to implementing new polices, the assessment reform movement is winning more victories from coast to coast. Check out the latest examples of the damage done by standardized exam overkill along with tools developed by effective campaigns for better alternatives in this week’s clips. Your friends and allies can sign up for this free service at: http://www.fairtest.org/weekly-news-signup
National After20 Years of “Reform,” Are U.S. Students Better Off?
https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/04/america-public-school-reform-are-students-better-off/
National Common Core Standards Did Not Lead to Improved Academic Performance
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2019/04/29/common-core-work-research/
Colorado Experimental School Rating System Looks Beyond Test Scores
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2019/04/26/colorado-bill-supports-alternative-school-accountability/
Colorado District Plans to End Interim Assessments That Predict Poorly
https://durangoherald.com/articles/274671
Florida “Merit” Scholarship Test Bar Increase Could Hurt Students of Color Again
https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/2019/04/23/bright-futures-standards-could-rise-hurting-students-of-color-again/
Florida Pocket Guide to Opting Out of K-12 Tests
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/2019-opt-out-pocket-guide/
Georgia Districts Try Out Alternatives to State’s Official Tests
https://www.wabe.org/districts-test-out-possible-alternatives-to-georgia-milestones/
Idaho Ransomware Takes Down District Servers During Computer Testing
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2019/04/ransomware-takes-down-servers-at-local-school-district/
Illinois Legislators Look at Alternatives to Teacher Testing
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190427/education-officials-lawmakers-look-at-alternatives-to-teacher-testing
Indiana Test Anxiety Can Significantly Impact Exam Scores
https://www.washtimesherald.com/columns/managing-test-anxiety/article_1ecf06ec-ba1b-582d-9e87-889d082f94ca.html
Maryland Responding to Educator Pressure, State Won’t Make School Ratings Tougher
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-star-ratings-schools-20190423-story.html
Massachusetts State to Explore Consequences of Invalidated Exam Question
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32592058/state-explore-consequences-invalidated-mcas-question
Massachusetts Shut Down This Toxic Testing Regime
https://lesstestingmorelearning.tumblr.com/post/184535777014/story-27-teacher-shut-this-toxic-testing
New York Educators Call On State to Fix Flawed Testing Process
https://13wham.com/news/local/educators-call-on-state-to-fix-testing-process
New York Back-to-School Math Testing Sparks Another Round of Opt-Outs
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/math-computer-based-tests-opt-outs-1.30444897
Ohio Graduation Testing Requirements for Future Classes Remain Under Debate
http://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2019/04/ohio-graduation-requirements-under-debate/
South Carolina Teachers’ State House Rally Demands Include Less Testing
http://www.wistv.com/2019/04/29/thousands-teachers-preparing-rally-state-house/
Utah Statewide Computer Tests Suspended After Service Disruption
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900067914/rise-testing-temporarily-halted-in-utah-public-schools-following-statewide-service-interruption.html
Washington Graduation Test Hurdle May Be Eliminated
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/students-in-washington-might-get-easier-path-to-graduation/
Washington Governor Signs Law Ending “Basic Skills” Test for Teacher Ed Program Entry
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/new-law-may-make-it-easier-for-people-to-become-teachers-in-washington-state/
International United Kingdom Parents and Teachers March Against Plans to Test Four-Year-Olds
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/25/parents-and-children-march-against-plans-test-four-year-olds
Worth Reading Portfolio Assessment Instead of Standardized Testing
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/work_in_progress/2019/04/instead_of_standardized_testin.html
Worth Reading The Poet Who Couldn’t Answer State Exam Questions About Her Own Works (Again)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2019/04/28/the-writer-who-couldnt-answer-standardized-test-questions-about-her-own-work-again/#46d2ee564e8c
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office- (239) 395-6773 mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org