Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 27, 2017 – January 9, 2018I

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-focu
sed-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
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 fax-(239) 395-6779
mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org

Tags: