Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 18 - 24, 2013

Though schools across the nation are closed for winter vacation, there's been no let up in news and commentary about resistance to testing overuse and misuse.

To keep the pressure on in 2014, please include FairTest in your year-end giving.  Click on http://fairtest.org/donate or mail your check to P.O. Box 300204, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Thank you -- and best wishes for a joyous holiday week!  In the spirit of the season, the first clip is a version of how the standardized testing Grinch stole Xmas

How the Dirth Stole Learning
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/23/how-the-d...

California Governor Blasts Federal Test-Driven School Policy
http://www.scpr.org/blogs/education/2013/12/17/15427/as-state-awaits-fed...

Growing New Mexico Opt Out Movement
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_24777393/parent-movement-em...
New Mexico Website Helps Families Opt Out of Tests
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3247962.shtml?cat=504#.UrIiu7TWvAO
Students Protest End-of-Course Tests
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3253789.shtml?cat=504#.UrYVZoXWvAO

More Connecticut Students Opt Out of State Tests
http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/More-opting-out-of-state-tests-50...

Maryland Parents Say Standardized Tests Are Outdated
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/montgomery-parents-say-mar...

New York to Examine Rocky Rollout of Common Core Testing
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/State-Ed-Regents-appoint-task-fo...
Report Fails to Fix Many Flaws
http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Report-fails-to-fix-Common-Cor...
New York Teachers Talk Testing -- You Tube Videos
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTDp0kcHMYXNLtZmiTvv-w
Passions High at Long Island Common Core Forum
http://www.antonnews.com/glencoverecordpilot/news/34865-passions-high-at...

Major Errors Found in DC Teachers Value-Added Evaluations
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/23/errors-fo...

SC Lawmakers Should Stop Trying to Micromanage Schools and Teachers
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20131222/OPINION/312221008/-1/news02

Time to Investigate Pearson in Texas
http://www.gazettextra.com/article/20131223/ARTICLES/131229919/1034

Tech Issues May Stall Shift to Online Standardized Exams
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/12/22/tech-issues-may...
see FairTest Common Core Testing Myths Fact Sheet
http://www.fairtest.org/common-core-assessments-factsheet

States Debate Common Core Test Cut-off Scores
http://e-news.edweek.org/ct/28580298:24852008263:m:1:219220256:809E8BED8...

Are Recent School "Reforms" Imperiling Long-Term Gains
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-jennings/are-current-school-reform_b_...

Test-Driven Education Policies Snuff Out Creativity
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/opinion/article/Where-has-all-the-creati...

As the Socio-Economic Achievement Gap Grows, What Can be Done to "Fix" Public Schools
http://thesoutherneronline.com/frontpage/?p=9230

New Movie: "Standardized Lies, Money & Civil Rights: How Testing is Ruining Education"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCF9IF_0Tc

Exposing the Education "Reformers" Big Lie
http://www.salon.com/2013/12/20/exposing_the_education_reformers_big_lie...

Deconstructing PISA Scores: Implications for Real School "Reform"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-weiss/pisa-implications_b_4441077.html

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-   (239) 395-6773    fax-  (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org