The debate over whether students, teachers, and schools should face annual testing mandates — if classrooms reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic — is escalating. At both the federal and state levels, policymakers need to hear from their constituents — particularly public education stakeholders — about the need to continue standardized exam waivers for at least another year. Colleges and graduate schools continue to provide practical models of how to make high-stakes educational decisions without relying on test scores.
NationalThe Misguided Push to Reintroduce Student Testing During a Pandemic
https://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/newsletter-testing-covid-080620
National Don’t Rush to “Diagnose” Learning Loss with Standardized Exams
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/08/06/dont-rush-to-diagnose-learning-loss-with.html
National Educators “National Day of Action” Includes Demand to Cancel Annual Student Testing
https://pagosadailypost.com/2020/08/05/teachers-rally-on-national-day-of-action-as-school-reopening-debate-continues/
ArkansasTeachers Association Seeks Suspension of 2020-2021 Annual Tests
https://www.ktlo.com/2020/08/04/aea-asks-for-suspension-of-standardized-testing-in-upcoming-school-year/
CaliforniaTo Test or Not to Test — Should Returning Students Face Standardized Exams?
http://laschoolreport.com/to-test-or-not-to-test-students-missed-a-lot-of-learning-this-spring-but-experts-disagree-on-how-or-even-whether-to-measure-covid-slide/
California How Should Student Success Be Defined in the 2020-2021 School Year?
https://calmatters.org/commentary/my-turn/2020/08/how-should-california-define-student-success-in-2020/
IndianaPandemic Prompts Review of Testing Requirements
https://wsbt.com/news/operation-education/operation-education-looking-at-the-future-of-standardized-testing-in-indiana-schools
MassachusettsLegislative Hearing Considers Bill Extending Standardized Exam Moratorium by Four Years
https://www.lowellsun.com/2020/08/10/lawmakers-hear-bill-that-would-suspend-mcas-testing-for-four-years/
New YorkAssessing College Readiness Through Authentic High School Work
https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/assessing-college-readiness-authentic-student-work-report?utm
North CarolinaWithout Federal Waiver, Students in Virtual Classes May Be Forced to Attend School for Standardized Testing
https://greensboro.com/news/local_news/even-n-c-students-in-virtual-classes-may-have-to-come-to-school-for-standardized/article_702a97b9-87e9-5f59-a464-5d04cc4ac509.html
PennsylvaniaEducation Groups Seek Testing Suspension
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/covid-19/2020/08/education-groups-seek-legislative-action/
TennesseeSchool Board Resolution Asks State to Cancel Annual Testing
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/franklin/2020/08/11/franklin-special-board-asks-state-halt-tnready-2020-21/3341208001/
TexasStudent Questions Value of State Standardized Testing
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/san-antonio/news/2020/07/31/texas-high-school-student-speaks-on-staar-testing
VirginiaState Waives Accreditation Requirements for Two Years Due to Testing Suspension
https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/education/virginia-waives-accreditation-ratings-for-2021-22-school-year/article_7fcf74ef-4224-5966-b99b-572c0affb21f.html
University Admission400+ Colleges and Universities Affirm ACT/SAT “Optional Means Optional”
https://www.nacacnet.org/news–publications/newsroom/test-optional-means-test-optional/
University Should MBA Programs Make the GMAT and GRE Optional
https://poetsandquants.com/2020/08/05/should-mba-programs-make-the-gmat-gre-optional/
University Admissions Physicians Call for Waiving Medical College Entrance Test
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/935352
Worth ReadingStates’ School Aid Budget Cuts Reduced Test Scores, Especially for Low-Income and Minority Students
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/08/budget_cuts_during_the_last_re.html
Bob Schaeffer, interim Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org