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.
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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CaliforniaFeds Insist that State Administer Out-of-Date Science Tests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