The new academic year has not even begun in many parts of the country, but the testing wars have started heating up. Assessment reformers are already posting victories in rolling back standardized exam misuse and overuse. Remember that you can sign up allies to receive these free weekly updates at:http://www.fairtest.org/weekly-news-signup. Archived issues are online at:http://www.fairtest.org/news
NationalAssessment Reform Movement Is Alive, Well . . . and Winning!
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/08/22/students-are-still-taking-too-many-tests.html
CaliforniaACT/SAT May Replace Smarter Balanced as 11th Grade Test
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/26/renewed-push-to-offer-sat-and-act-as-californias-11th-grade-test/
FloridaGovernor Candidates Unite to Protest Student Testing at Campaign Rally
http://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/student-testing-under-fire-at-rally/article_c9d8151e-a61c-11e8-891a-0b328f998e14.html
Florida Great Opt-Out Tee Shirts
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156654448973436&set=pcb.10156654449033436&type=3&theater&ifg=1
GeorgiaCounty School System Wants to Replace State Test
https://wfxl.com/news/local/dcss-considering-replacing-georgia-milestones-with-new-test
IdahoMisuse of Test Data Does Not Help Improve Schools
https://www.idahoednews.org/voices/community/more-straight-answers-and-facts-less-acrimony/
IndianaTwo Sets of State School Grades Confuse Parents and Educators
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/in/2018/08/23/indiana-schools-getting-2-state-grades-too-confusing-for-parents-and-educators-experts-say/
IowaState Developing New Tests After Federal Pressure
http://www.iowapublicradio.org/post/iowa-students-take-new-standardized-tests-federal-funds-stake
MichiganScience Test Scores Will Be Withheld for Two Years
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20180824/michigan-to-withhold-science-test-scores-for-two-years
New MexicoStandardized Exams Are Not True Measures of School Success
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/true-measures-of-the-success-of-schools/article_602be197-d8bd-5aca-88ef-67953a34f40c.html
New YorkStakes Can Be Raised When Opting out of State Tests
https://www.informnny.com/news/local-news/the-stakes-could-be-raised-when-opting-out-of-new-york-state-testing/1385134327
New York Should Selective High School Admissions Exams Get a Failing Grade?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/23/business/nyc-admissions-tests-shsat.html
North CarolinaState Superintendent Wants Less Testing of Youngest Children
https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/education/state-superintendent-wants-less-testing-for-ncs-youngest-students/83-588094116
PennsylvaniaReplace Grad Test Requirement with Multiple Pathways to Diploma
https://www.votervoice.net/PSBA/campaigns/60649/respond
Pennsylvania No One Ever Remembered a Teacher for Raising Standardized Test Scores
https://gadflyonthewallblog.com/2018/08/25/no-one-ever-remembered-a-teacher-for-raising-standardized-test-scores/
TennesseeGovernor Seeks Educator Input on How to Improve Testing
https://www.fox13memphis.com/top-stories/gov-haslam-seeks-school-teacher-impute-on-how-to-improve-tnready-testing/817601334
Tennessee Little Academic Progress at Schools Taken Over by State for Low Scores
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2018/08/22/its-been-six-years-since-tennessee-took-over-its-first-low-performing-schools-how-are-they-doing/
TexasSuperintendent Says Accountability Should Involve More Than a Single Letter Grade From State
https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/friendswood/news/article/Despite-A-Friendswood-ISD-citical-of-new-13177434.php
Texas Legislature and Education Agency Should Be Held Responsible for Education Problems
https://www.tribtalk.org/2018/08/24/state-officials-should-answer-for-the-quality-of-texas-public-schools/
University AdmissionsWas the August 25 SAT Compromised?
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2018/08/27/reports-circulate-saturdays-sat-included-questions-available-asia
University Admissions Another New Jersey Public University Goes Test-Optional
http://nj1015.com/another-nj-university-makes-sat-scores-optional/
University Admissions ACT Sued for Selling Disability Data to Colleges
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180807005834/en/Students-Disabilities-File-Class-Action-ACT-Test
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org