Testing Resistance & Reform News: April 5 – 11, 2017

Aggressive grassroots testing resistance campaigns and a string of assessment reform policy victories highlight a very active week with standardized exam season now underway in many states.

Standardized Testing and Young Children — new FairTest assessment reform resource in English and Espanol
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/standardized-testing-and-young-children

California How Parents Can Opt Children Out of Standardized Testing
http://www.cta.org/optout

Connecticut State Removes Student Test Scores From Teacher Evaluations
https://blogcea.org/2017/04/05/mastery-test-scores-eliminated-from-teach…

Florida Why I Should Opt My Child Out of Standardized Exams
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/k-2-testing-why…
Florida Bi-Partisan Plan Could Erase Parts of School Testing Requirements
http://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/education/2017/04/04/florida-could-…
Florida Parents Continue Legal Challenge to Third Grade Retention
http://www.beaches.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/parents-continue-challen…

Indiana State Test Was Repealed for Good Reason
http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/04/07/lesson-to-learn-istep-was-repeale…

Iowa The Perils of Standardized Testing
http://www.blogforiowa.com/2017/04/10/the-perils-of-standardized-testing/

Kansas Computer Testing Problems Plague Schools
http://ksnt.com/2017/04/05/state-testing-problems-plaguing-kansas-schools/

Louisiana School Boards Opposed “Distorted” State ESSA Plan
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/letters/article_9b7eadb0-…

Maryland Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto of Bill Limiting Test-Driven School Ratings
http://www.cecildaily.com/news/state_news/article_47c45881-862e-5c3f-89f…
Maryland General Assembly Unanimously Passes “Less Testing, More Learning Act” Capping Exam Time
http://www.wmdt.com/news/maryland/md-general-assembly-unanimously-passes…

Massachusetts Supers’ Letter to Students: Your Test Score Is “Just a Number”
http://www.dcrsd.org/uploaded/District_Files/district_office/superintend…
Massachusetts Parents: Stop Overemphasis on Standardized Exams
http://somerville.wickedlocal.com/news/20170405/letter-stop-overemphasis…

Michigan Detroit Parents Organize Large Opt-Out Drive
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/education/some-detroit-parents-opting-out-of-…
Michigan Academic Success Is More Than Test Scores
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/04/08/whiston-education-es…
Michigan Stop Moving Targets for School Performance
http://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-pick-a-plan-for…

Minnesota Parents Downgrade Test Scores When Choosing Public Schools
http://www.startribune.com/survey-minneapolis-parents-ditch-test-score-i…

Nevada Legislators Consider Removing Student Test Scores From Teacher Evaluations
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/apr/11/lawmakers-how-teachers-are-eval…

New York Should There Be a Time Limit on Standardized Tests
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/273844/should-there-be-a-tim…
New York Opt-Out Groups Demand Firing of State Education Commissioner
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/58e6146de4b00ea3841db640
New York How Our School Became Urban Opt-Out Model
https://dianeravitch.net/2017/04/08/anna-allanbrook-how-our-school-becam…

Ohio Panel Will Examine How Much Testing is Too Much
http://www.timesreporter.com/news/20170404/school-tests-matter-but-how-m…
Ohio Random Thoughts on High-Stakes Testing
http://plunderbund.com/2017/04/10/some-random-thoughts-on-high-stakes-st…

Pennsylvania State is Failing Local Schools By Forcing Standardized Tests
http://www.montgomerynews.com/amblergazette/opinion/editorial-state-is-f…
Pennsylvania State Considers Changes in Testing Under ESSA
http://citizensvoice.com/news/state-considers-changes-to-pssa-1.2178530

Texas House Education Committee Unanimously Supports Overhaul of A-F School Grading System
http://keranews.org/post/texas-house-education-committee-backs-bill-over…

Virginia State Shortens Length of Mandatory Math and Reading Tests
https://thejournal.com/articles/2017/04/10/virginia-shortens-sol-math-an…

Washington Sample Opt-Out Form
http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2017/04/opt-out-form.html

University Admissions Emerson College Drops ACT/SAT Requirement
http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/news/2017/4/5/emerson-to-drop-satact-requi…

Worth Reading Testing Season Follies: Bribes and Bounties Don’t Help Learning
http://trustedk12.com/mcleod-testing-season-follies/
Worth Reading Don’t Use Kindergarten Readiness Assessments for Accountability
https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/dont-use-kindergar…

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