Happy New Yearto the thousands of readers of FairTest’s weekly assessment reform news clips. With this first issue of 2018, we want to remind you that previous editions are archived athttps://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/news/other. Friends, allies and other interested people may sign up for a free subscription by clicking onhttps://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup
NationalBig Blows Struck Against Testing Overuse in 2018
http://neatoday.org/2018/01/04/educators-strike-big-blow-to-the-overuse-of-standardized-testing/
National States Can Apply for Innovative Assessment Pilot Under ESSA
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/01/trump_start_essa_innovative_tests.html
NationalIs the Smarter Balanced Test Broken?
https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2018/01/04/is_the_smarter_balanced_national_test_broken_110243.html
AlabamaSchool Letter-Grading Law is a Failure
http://www.decaturdaily.com/opinion/editorials/letter-grade-law-a-failure/article_36496881-ff05-5e35-816f-9f59797a96ab.html
FloridaExperts Say Swapping ACT/SAT for State High School Test is Flawed
http://www.wral.com/proposal-to-swap-tests-hits-obstacle/17237735/
Florida Legislation Would End Requirement to Rate Teachers on Student Test Scores
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/school-zone/os-teachers-merit-pay-florida-20180104-story.html
GeorgiaSchool Emphasizes Relationships Rather Than Test Scores
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2018/01/01/what-if-schools-focused-on-improving-relationships-rather-than-test-scores/
Georgia Students Pulled From Classes to Take Field Tests That Do Not Count
http://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-students-missing-class-for-state-tests/article_769469be-f1c4-11e7-b319-673aa9f835f0.html
IllinoisAlternatives to High School Equivalency Test Planned
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-plans-to-offer-high-school-equivalency-alternatives/article_ff9191ba-4c99-5815-b502-deed356c6294.html
IndianaTeach Your Students, Not the Test
https://sbloom2.wordpress.com/2018/01/06/resolution-2-teach-your-students-not-the-test/
LouisianaRethinking Test-Based Grade Retention
http://hechingerreport.org/held-back-not-helped/
MissouriSchools Spend Too Much Time, Money on Standardized Tests
http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/schools-spend-too-much-time-money-on-standardized-tests/article_f726717e-d20a-56d7-b558-caa7203a65ea.html
New HampshireState Must Review Smarter Balance Test Validity
https://truthinamericaneducation.com/common-core-assessments/open-letter-new-hampshire-education-commissioner-edelblut/
OhioFight Over Role of Test Scores in Teacher Ratings
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/01/test_scores_need_to_stay_in_te.html
Ohio Board May Suspend Test Score Graduation Requirement
http://www.timesreporter.com/news/20180108/high-school-graduation-requirements-could-be-softened-for-classes-of-2019-and-2020
TennesseeWidespread Criticism of State Testing System
https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/legislators-school-administrators-criticize-state-testing-requirements/article_298e6f41-d95c-5c0e-a337-736f73aa4269.html
TexasDistricts Creating Locally Based Assessment Systems
http://keranews.org/post/north-texas-school-districts-tapped-state-create-local-accountability-systems
VirginiaStandardized Testing Debate Escalates
http://wvtf.org/post/going-debate-over-standardized-testing-virginia
Virginia Educators Collaborate on Performance Assessment Design
http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/education/area-educators-collaborate-on-testing/article_9cf2242c-f01e-11e7-b78b-a3696f358413.html
West VirginiaBoard Seeks Waiver of Early Childhood Testing Plan
https://www.wvnews.com/theet/news/school-boards-looks-to-approve-dates-to-begin-budgeting-waive/article_9932ae6f-d78b-599e-98d0-deb7422bb3a9.html
University AdmissionsWorcester Polytech Celebrates 10-Years of Test-Optional Policy Success
https://www.wpi.edu/news/wpi-marks-10-years-test-optional-status
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
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