Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 16 – 22, 2020

Awaiting President-elect Biden’s official nomination of the next U.S. Secretary of Education, pressure is building on the incoming administration to suspend this springs federal standardized exam mandates. Many states are already taking their own actions to reduce testing requirements and consequences. To keep the heat on policy-makers, please encourage friends and allies to join the thousands who have already signed the “National Call to Suspend High-Stakes Testing in Spring 2021”

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/suspend-high-stakes-student-testing/manage

NationalMandating Standardized Exams This Spring Would Be a Mistake
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-testing-students-this-spring-would-be-a-mistake/2020/12

National Pandemic Offers Opportunity to Reduce Testing Mandates Permanently
https://www.educationnext.org/pandemic-offers-opportunity-reduce-standardized-testing/

National State Education Chiefs Seek “Flexibility” in Student Assessment
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/state-schools-chiefs-push-biden-for-wiggle-room-on-accountability-during-pandemic/2020/12

ArizonaTeachers Oppose Resumption of State Testing This Year
https://kjzz.org/content/1643626/aea-disappointed-az-board-education-support-standardized-testing-spring

ColoradoPetition Calls for Waiver of English Language Learner Exams
https://co.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/15/22177065/access-test-english-learners-colorado-petition

GeorgiaState Drastically Cuts Weight of Final Exams After Feds Rebuff Testing Waiver Request
https://www.wrdw.com/2020/12/22/state-board-of-education-approves-01-final-exam-grade-proposal/

Georgia Teachers Rally to Suspend Standardized Testing
https://www.ajc.com/education/teachers-rally-for-stop-to-georgia-school-testing-plans-during-pandemic/TB5SXWY2PVADVBHHJ37BQWY3IU/

Georgia Why Test What Cannot Be Taught During Pandemic?
https://coastalcourier.com/news/public-address-concerns-dec-8-boe-meeting/

IdahoState Board Waives College Entrance Exam Requirement for High School Seniors
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/state-board-waives-college-entrance-exam-requirement-for-class-of-2021/

IllinoisEducators Want Standardized Tests Postponed
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/unions-want-standardized-school-testing-postponed

MassachusettsOpposition to State Standardized Exams Grows
https://www.amherstbulletin.com/Educators-parents-rally-against-state-s-efforts-to-move-forward-with-MCAS-testing-this-school-year-37679893

Massachusetts The Human Case for Ending High-Stakes Testing
https://senatorjocomerford.org/the-human-case-for-ending-high-stakes-testing/

New YorkNYC Middle Schools Will Not Use Test Score “Screens” for Admission
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/18/22188384/changes-nyc-school-application-process
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Oklahoma“A to F” School Ratings Suspended This Year; Let’s Cancel Them Forever
https://www.tulsakids.com/oklahomas-a-f-school-rating-is-cancelled-this-year-lets-cancel-it-forever/

TexasState Tests Not Worth the Cost Under COVID
https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/your-voice/2020/12/22/staar-testing-not-worth-cost-during-covid-pandemic/3994881001/

Texas Teachers Call In Sick to Protest Plan for In-Person Standardized Tests
https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/some-houston-area-teachers-say-theyll-call-out-sick-on-tuesday-in-protest/285-6770198d-251c-4ee0-9226-442e293ee5ce

VirginiaPandemic Should Prompt Reassessment of Role of School Testing
https://starexponent.com/opinion/hutchins-pandemic-should-prompt-a-reassessment-of-test-success/article_5b0e5b62-fc50-53ed-81f8-c6c17fd0672a.html

University AdmissionsHow COVID-19 Is Pushing More Colleges to Go ACT/SAT Optional
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-the-coronavirus-is-pushing-colleges-to-go-test-optional

Worth ReadingSix (Bad) Arguments for Administering the Big State Tests This Year
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2020/12/15/six-arguments-for-giving-the-big-standardized-tests-this-school-year-and-why-bidens-education-secretary-should-ignore-them/

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

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