Testing Resistance & Reform News: Dec. 14 – 20, 2016

Thousands of readers like you — grassroots activists, educators, journalists, and policy-makers — rely on these weekly news clips to stay on top of assessment reform initiatives around the nation. Your year-end contribution makes it possible for FairTest to publish these updates as well as advocacy tools such as the new fact sheets linked in today’s first item.

Please help give FairTest the financial strength to support the growing national testing resistance and reform movement in 2017 by making your most generous possible donation today. Simply click onhttps://donatenow.networkforgood.org/fairtestor mail your check toP.O. Box 300204, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

NationalPersonalized Learning or Continuous Online Testing — new FairTest fact sheet
http://www.fairtest.org/personalized-learning-or-continuous-online-testing

National Proposal for a Model State Assessment System
http://www.p21.org/news-events/p21blog/2103-a-proposal-for-a-model-assessment-system

CaliforniaFeds Insist that State Administer Out-of-Date Science Tests
https://edsource.org/2016/federal-government-insists-again-that-california-administer-old-science-tests/574278

ColoradoState School Board Seeks New, Shorter Tests
http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2016/12/15/time-to-find-new-shorter-standardized-tests-state-board-directs-education-department/

FloridaSenate Budget Chair Will Try to Cut State Exam Requirements
http://www.news4jax.com/education/budget-chairman-wants-serious-look-at-testing

Florida District Reduced Local Testing Mandate
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20161211/volusia-county-schools-slashes-district-assessments-for-students

IndianaSchools Question Accuracy of Test Scores
http://www.dailyjournal.net/2016/12/14/in_dispute/

Indiana Teacher Bonuses Based on Flawed Exams
http://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indianas-40m-teacher-bonus-program-based-on-flawed-formula-says-educators-union

MassachusettsSuperintendent Calls for School Accountability Reset
http://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/time-for-school-accountability-reset/

Massachusetts Many Ways to Evaluate Students Beyond Tests
http://www.telegram.com/news/20161215/panel-says-there-are-many-ways-to-measure-students-beyond-tests

MontanaState Develops New Assessment Plan Under New Federal Law
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/education/montana-drafts-school-plan-to-meet-new-federal-law/article_1098b13a-d7a2-5939-9064-b8e8a6e1da6c.html

OhioState Board Delays New Grad Testing Rules
http://www.ideastream.org/news/ohio-high-school-graduation-rules-delayed

OklahomaWhat’s Wrong with A-to-F School Grades
https://okeducationtruths.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/one-more-chance-to-get-it-right/

PennsylvaniaNew School Grades Would Put Less Weight on Testing
http://www.dailyprogress.com/new-grades-for-schools-would-give-less-weight-to-testing/article_31288800-03e7-5698-9659-3359071fb66e.html

Pennsylvania Standardized Testing Is Not the Answer for Evaluating Schools or Students
http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/standardized-testing-is-not-the-answer-for-evaluating-schools-or/article_f8bcf7c0-c629-11e6-aeae-e37b75edb823.html

South CarolinaEducators Oppose A-to-F School Grading Plan
http://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia/wire/educators-oppose-rating-schools-with-a-through-f-grades/article_18b9134d-4a5b-5066-bd74-e3c7f1ceec1b.html

TennesseeEducation Administrators Criticize School Grades
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Education/2016/12/13/Area-education-administrations-grade-system-report-cards.html?ci=featured&lp=1&ti=

TexasLocal Board Calls for Repeal of State’s School Letter-Grade Rating System
http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/csisd-opposes-letter-grade-rating-system/article_27094e9b-1950-5d98-99e5-8bc0e4e73fd4.html

West VirginiaSchool Grading System Undermines Educational Quality
http://www.register-herald.com/news/raleigh-boe-debates-the-a-f-grading-system/article_5e122d40-43fa-53f7-9608-199977c3adbc.html

West Virginia If Student Grades Were This Flawed, Parents Would Not Tolerate It
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazette-op-ed-commentaries/20161214/carol-young-if-students-grades-were-this-flawed-parents-wouldnt-tolerate-it-gazette

WisconsinLegislators Get “F” for Civics Test
http://www.gazettextra.com/20161218/our_views_legislators_get_f_for_civics_test

InternationalPutting PISA Results to the Test — Poverty Is Major Cause of U.S. Poor Sores
http://www.turnaroundusa.org/2015-pisa-analysis/

Worth ReadingThe Myth of Grading Student Performance
http://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/the-myth-of-grading-student-performance/article_ba872fc0-b6b6-11e6-a8a1-4337f96c6e0d.html

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