With the prospect of a new President and Secretary of Education, pressure is rapidly building on policy makers to waive public school standardized testing mandates at least for the current academic year. The FairTest-initiated “National Call to Suspend High-Stakes Testing in Spring 2021” is a core element of this national campaign — be sure you and your assessment reform allies have signed on: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/suspend-high-stakes-student-testing
National Calls Grow to Skip Annual Standardized Exams This Spring
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/12/30/calls-are-growing-biden-do-what-devos-did-let-states-skip-annual-standardized-tests-this-spring/
Arkansas Parents Pressure Governor to Relent on Plan to Require Virtual Education Students to Take Tests at School
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2021/01/04/hutchinson-administration-wont-relent-on-standardized-school-tests-will-require-virtual-students-to-go-to-school-to-take-them
Colorado Decision on Spring Standardized Testing Looms as Major Issue in New School Year
https://co.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/23/22197917/colorado-education-stories-to-watch-in-2021
Florida Opt-Out From Testing, Testing and More Testing
https://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2021/01/testing-testing-and-more-testing.html
Georgia Ed Board Vote Minimizes Impact of End-of-Course Exam Scores on Student Grades
https://coastalcourier.com/news/state-approves-lower-eoc-test-percentage/#_=_
Iowa Superintendent Asks Legislature to Suspend Standardized Testing Requirement
https://www.stormlakepilottribune.com/story/2857625.html
Maine Schools Consider Skipping Annual Exams Due to Pandemic
https://www.pressherald.com/2021/01/04/school-districts-weigh-whether-to-give-standardized-test-to-ell-students-amid-pandemic/
Massachusetts State Moves to Reduce Testing Time and Consequences
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/dese-making-changes-mcas-access-testing-local-school-systems/AAIF4XXGDRHWRDE6XAZ6LPUP4A/
Massachusetts Give Testing Some More Time Off
https://www.gazettenet.com/Jonathan-Kahane-column-38053532
Minnesota Advocates to Rally for Postponement of English Language Learner Testing
https://www.facebook.com/events/230287575173905/
Missouri School Leaders Question Value of Taking Standardized Tests This Year
https://www.myleaderpaper.com/news/school-officials-question-value-of-taking-map-this-year/article_26bfd39e-4ae8-11eb-adf0-bb0624c252a2.html
Montana State to Submit Request to Waive Annual Federal Exam Requirement
https://www.sidneyherald.com/news/schools/superintendent-arntzen-requests-federal-assessment-waiver/article_1255cc6a-4e3f-11eb-bb02-67c529657a01.html
New York Eliminating Selective Admissions Exams Will Test White Parents
https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-new-york-citys-new-middle-school-admissions-will-test-white-parents/
Ohio Local School Leaders Urge State to Skip Exams for Another Year
https://www.journal-news.com/news/local-school-leaders-urging-state-to-skip-student-exams-for-2nd-year/S6PUE3S7KNBU3G2JO5RM3GDKM4/
Oregon State Solicits Public Feedback on Plan to Seek Standardized Test Waiver
https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Pages/Communication.aspx
Tennessee Special Legislative Session to Include Issue of Administering Standardized Tests This Year
https://tn.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/29/22205138/tennessee-governor-calls-special-session-focused-on-education
Texas State Brings Back Pearson As Test-Administration Partner
https://thefacts.com/free_share/article_467be947-bd7a-5c69-9d36-ee4bbd94710a.html
International England Head Teachers Call for Scrapping This Spring’s High School Tests
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/headteachers-call-for-gcse-and-a-level-exams-to-be-scrapped/ar-BB1cqj3y
International Zimbabwe Educators Urge Suspension of Standardized Exams to Reduce Virus Exposure
https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/04/govt-urged-to-suspend-remaining-examinations/
Higher Education College Admissions Trends for 2021 Include Extension of Test-Optional Policies
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brennanbarnard/2021/01/01/2021-college-admission-predictions/?sh=7d108c9515eb
Worth Reading There’s No Need for a Big Standardized Test This Spring
https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/big-spring-test
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