You can tell that a new school year is beginning across the U.S. by the surge in testing-related coverage — this week’s clips include news from 20 states as well as national overviews. FairTest is especially pleased that so many stories and columns include strong criticisms of standardized exam misuse and overuse, reflecting a growing consensus for assessment reform that is also revealed in recent public opinion polls.
NationalMany States Begin Shedding K-12 Exam Mandates
https://www.districtadministration.com/article/states-begin-shedding-standardized-tests-k12
National New Poll Finds Little Public Support for Standardized Testing
http://pdkpoll.org/results#measuring-school-quality
AlabamaState Board Member Wants to Institutionalize Special Ed. Students to Boost Average Test Scores
http://www.rawstory.com/2017/08/alabama-state-school-board-member-wants-to-institutionalize-special-needs-students-to-boost-test-scores/
ArizonaSchool Grades Delayed to Massage Ranking Formula
http://tucson.com/news/local/state-issued-letter-grades-for-arizona-schools-will-likely-be/article_1548cf97-1e35-58f3-b8d9-9656d6bea4a5.html
CaliforniaState Board Dismisses Complaints From Test-and-Punish Advocates
https://edsource.org/2017/national-group-sharply-criticizes-states-plan-for-every-student-succeeds-act/586312
California Test Scores Delayed Indefinitely Due to “Data Issues”
http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-essential-education-updates-southern-california-s-standardized-test-score-1503703716-htmlstory.html
California Parents Prep Kids for Kindergarten Entrance Tests
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toddler-test-prep-1032351
ColoradoState Asks Feds for More Time to Integrate Opt-Out Policy Into ESSA Plan
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2017/08/25/colorado-tells-feds-it-needs-more-time-to-rethink-opt-out-policy/
FloridaGovernor Candidate Says Testing Cripples Education
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170822/graham-education-her-primary-commitment
IdahoNew Graduation Requirements Stir Debate Over Tests’ Value
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/new-graduation-requirements-stir-debate-value-test-scores/
IndianaSuperintendent of Education Says, “We Assess Kids to Death”
http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/2438328.html
MarylandSchool Test Scores Can be Highly Misleading
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-parcc-scores-20170825-story.html
Maryland The Limits of Standardized Testing
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-parcc-20170824-story.html
Maryland State Board of Education Debates School Rating System
http://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-tweaks-star-rating-system-for-schools/12049164
MassachusettsMoving Beyond MCAS: Current School Quality Measures Are Incomplete, Inaccurate
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/moving-beyond-mcas/
MinnesotaAggregated Test Scores Mislead on School Performance
http://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2017/08/27/aggregated-test-scores-mislead-school-performance/593807001/
New JerseyReplacing High-Stakes Testing with Broader Education?
http://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/25/njea-marie-blistan-new-president/104942726/
New MexicoDo School Grades Show Real Academic Performance or “Noise”?
http://www.ladailypost.com/content/wadt-guide-school-grades-real-or-noise
New Mexico Time to Dump PARCC Tests?
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-08-24/education/time-to-dump-new-mexico-student-parcc-tests/a59135-1
New YorkTeachers Call Test Scores “Virtually Meaningless”
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-08-23/education/ny-teachers-call-latest-test-scores-meaningless/a59115-1
New York 225,000 Students Opted Out of State Tests in 2017
http://www.nysape.org/nysape-pr-2017-opt-out-results.html
North CarolinaThe Failure of Using Business-Model Practices Like VAM in Education
https://www.ednc.org/2017/08/09/cost-business-education-world/
OhioTest Scores Don’t Tell Us Anything We Did Not Already Know
http://www.dailycall.com/opinion/columns/27322/the-great-debate-rages-on
PennsylvaniaSpending Too Much Time on Testing and Not Getting Enough Back
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2017/08/24/editorial-costs-standardized-testing-continue-grow/593225001/
TennesseeParents Should Opt Out of Standardized Testing Madness
http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/08/24/parents-should-opt-out-standardized-testing-madness/594774001/
Tennessee Weeks Into New School Year, Last Spring’s Test Scores Still Not Available
http://wjhl.com/2017/08/25/weeks-into-new-school-year-and-some-tn-ready-official-test-scores-are-still-not-available/
VirginiaPrincipal and Teachers Fired at School Where Staff Cheated on Exams
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/central-virginia/tri-cities/petersburg/teachers-fired-principal-out-at-petersburg-school-where-staff-helped/article_a2dd285c-5191-5e61-bdb3-0a11cf7ddd92.html
WashingtonESSA Plan Moves Beyond No Child Left Behind
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/before-and-after-washingtons-plan-for-the-every-student-succeeds-act/
West VirginiaMore Changes to Draft ESSA Plan
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-education/20170826/wvs-essa-plan-seeing-further-changes-praise-criticism
InternationalPrincipals in India Say Students Gain Nothing From Competency Tests
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-principals-say-students-gain-nothing-from-competency-tests/story-d3L20MRhxEVy5C5oVEYWzK.html
UniversityUniversity Bloomfield College Now Has Test-Optional Admissions Policy
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/bloomfield/2017/08/28/bloomfield-college-now-has-test-optional-policy/609846001/
University California State System Eliminates Placement-Test Based Remedial Courses
http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/CSU-finally-ends-remedial-classes-that-delay-11946283.php
Worth ReadingNew Book “Beyond Test Scores: A Better Way to Measure School Quality”
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674976399
Worth Reading Closing Schools with Low Scores Does Not Help Most Students
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/08/24/closing-failing-schools-doesnt-help-most-students.html
Worth Reading Questions Parents Should Ask Schools About Testing Their Children
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1844518558897873&set=a.137773602905719.26097.100000192405525&type=3&theater
Support Heroes in EducationBe sure to order your tickets or make your contribution for FairTest’sOctober 26“Heroes in Education” award reception honoring Schott Foundation head John Jackson and Mass. Teachers Association President Barbara Madeloni. Details at:http://www.fairtest.org/fairtest-to-honor-jackson-and-madeloni
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
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