Testing Resistance & Reform News: April 26 – May 2, 2017

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 Testing
http://tucson.com/news/local/education/new-arizona-school-rating-system-relies-less-on-testing-emphasizes/article_49631721-7643-50c0-83f5-3a6df2a25393.html

ConnecticutStandardized Test Data Still Too “Squishy” for Teacher Evaluations
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/op-ed_standardized_test_data_still_too_squishy_for_teacher_evaluations/

FloridaAssessment Reformers Hopeful That Legislative Package Brings Meaningful Testing Changes
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2017-04-27/fewer-better-tests-bills-form-education-trains-push-different-agendas

Florida Teacher Bonuses Based on Old ACT/SAT Scores Is a Silly Policy
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-viewpoint-florida-teachers-best-and-brightest-20170426-story.html

GeorgiaAre State Tests Inappropriate for Young Children
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2017/04/23/georgia-milestones-are-state-tests-inappropriate-for-young-students/

IllinoisLawmakers Look to Ease Teacher Licensure Testing Requirements
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2017/04/illinois_lawmakers_look_to_overhaul_teacher_licensure_testing_requirements.html

MarylandCap Placed on Standardized Testing
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/maryland/cap-placed-on-standardized-testing-in-maryland/435916902

MassachusettsSchool Committee Debates Opt-Out Policy
http://somerville.wickedlocal.com/news/20170425/somerville-school-committee-discuss-necessity-for-students-opting-out-of-mcas

MississippiWill Testing Technology Be Able to Handle the Load?
https://djournal.com/news/districts-balance-funding-tech-testing/

New JerseyStudent Says PARCC Testing Takes Joy Out of Learning
http://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/04/27/parcc-testing-jessica-langer/100987138/

New YorkOpting Out a Way for Parents to Make a Statement
http://www.fltimes.com/opinion/opting-out-a-way-for-parents-to-make-a-statement/article_9f6cb846-2d2f-11e7-9923-d72464a4220d.html

New York Assessing Student Progress Without Standardized Tests
https://mets2006.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/how-would-we-assess-student-progress-without-standardized-tests/

New York Explosive Growth for Test-Grading Business
http://www.newsday.com/business/test-grading-business-helps-lynbrook-firm-double-revenues-in-5-years-1.13534415

OhioLocal Officials Say Students Take Too Many Standardized Exams
http://www.toledoblade.com/Education/2017/04/30/Students-tested-too-much-local-officials-say.html

Ohio Standardized Testing Takes Up Too Much Classroom Time
http://www.dispatch.com/opinion/20170428/letter-standardized-tests-too-time-consuming

OregonOpt-Out Movement Forces Evaluation of State Tests
http://klcc.org/post/evaluating-state-state-tests

Oregon Smarter Balanced High School Tests Eliminated
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2017/05/oregon_to_drop_smarter_balanced_in_high_school.html

PennsylvaniaWe May Finally Be Ending The Testing Obsession
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2017/04/put_down_your_pencils_-_its_ti.html

Pennsylvania Standardized Exam Reform Legislation Gets Broad Support
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-04-27/education/bills-to-reform-standardized-testing-get-broad-support/a57456-2

Pennsylvania Student Says: Stop the Incessant Testing and Focus on Education
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/opinion/guest/stop-the-testing-and-focus-on-education/article_4e38cdc4-d033-59a5-a8cc-64b3012e96e3.html

South CarolinaProfessor Says Students Are Over-Tested, Over-Stressed
http://wbtw.com/2017/05/02/professor-says-schools-overtesting-south-carolina-students/

TennesseeMatt Damon Narrates New Documentary About State Testing Problems
http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2017/04/27/matt-damons-latest-role-the-voice-of-an-education-documentary-featuring-tennessee-testing/

TexasStandardized Exam Season Begins As “Teaching Over Testing Act” Moves Through Legislature
http://kxan.com/2017/05/01/as-bill-to-reduce-standardized-tests-is-debated-staar-testing-begins/

Texas Legislators Move to Knock Out Whatever Teeth STAAR Tests Have Left
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2017/04/25/will-texas-continue-scaling-back-dependence-staar-tests

VirginiaThe Promise of ESSA to Reduce Test Stress
http://neatoday.org/2017/04/26/the-promise-of-essa-in-reducing-test-stress/

WashingtonGrad Testing Requirements Considered in Special Legislative Session
http://www.king5.com/news/education/hundreds-wont-graduate-without-special-session-action/434389674

InternationalBritish Members of Parliament Say Tests Are Too Stressful for Many Pupils
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4461400/SATs-stressful-pupils-say-MPs.html

University AdmissionsHow a Little Known Standardized Test Harms Community College Students
http://washingtonmonthly.com/2017/04/17/how-a-little-known-standardized-test-harms-community-college-students/

Worth ReadingIs There Really a Link Between Test Scores and America’s Economic Future?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/04/27/is-there-really-a-link-between-test-scores-and-americas-economic-future/

Worth Reading Computerized Test Design Can Hurt Young Children’s Scores
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2017/04/computer_based_tests_young_students_research.html

Worth Reading Every Child Can Learn — Just Not in the Same Way
http://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article147016649.html

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