Anyone who believes that test-and-punish policies are primarily about “reforming” education, not a mix of politics and ideology, should read this week’s news clips. In the K-12 arena, many assessment requirements are faith-based, rather than evidence-driven. Fortunately, colleges and universities, where data and mission still guide decisions, continue to lead the way beyond reliance on standardized exam scores.
Arizona Governor’s Inaccurate Statements About Test Scores Advance Ideological Agenda
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/fact-check/2020/02/16/arizona-governors-claim-student-test-scores-mostly-false-fact-check/4505773002/
Connecticut Parents Discus How to Break Up with Standardized Tests
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/NHPS_standardized_tests/#.Xkbka-Urvxk.facebook
Florida Standards Revamp is Political Posturing
https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/02/12/revamping-fls-academic-standards-political-posturing-or-whats-best-for-kids/
Georgia Governor Pushes for Fewer, Shorter Mandatory Tests
https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/georgia-looking-fewer-shorter-different-big-tests/QlhEzrNciT8WdYtUJEzeoI/
Georgia Let’s Get Real with Education: Over-Testing Kills Kids’ Spirits
https://www.mdjonline.com/opinion/roger-hines-let-s-get-real-with-education/article_07bc9600-c6cc-5a65-a237-fc4a5f71a207.html
Idaho State Board Debates Educational Goals, Accountability
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/state-board-debates-education-goals-and-accountability/
Indiana Governor Signs Bill Holding Schools and Teachers “Harmless” From Flawed Exam Scores
https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/governor-signs-bill-delaying-penalties-from-new-indiana-exam.php
Indiana State House Rally Includes Call for Further Reductions in Testing Mandates
https://cbs4indy.com/2020/02/17/rally-planned-at-indiana-statehouse-to-support-public-schools/
Massachusetts High-Stakes Tests Will Never Be Better Than Authentic Assessments
http://bostonreview.net/class-inequality/lelac-almagor-high-stakes-tests-arent-better%E2%80%94and-they-never-will-be
New York Principal Accused of Handing Out Exams in Advance to Boost Scores
https://nypost.com/2020/02/15/teachers-say-brooklyn-principal-cheated-by-handing-out-exam-questions-in-advance/
Oregon District Board Votes Support of State Testing Reform Legislative Package
https://www.klcc.org/post/eugene-4j-supports-senate-bill-reduce-state-testing
Vermont Some Problems With Proficiency-Based Assessment Systems
https://vtdigger.org/2020/02/17/ben-heintz-the-inequity-of-a-proficiency-based-system/
Virginia More Testing Will Not Help Address Students’ Literacy Problems
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/more-testing-wont-fix-students-literacy-problems/2020/02/12/505fea14-4c55-11ea-967b-e074d302c7d4_story.html
University Admissions None of the Above: Test-Optional Movement Targets Move Than ACT/SAT
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/none-above-test-optional-movement-targets-more-just-sat-act
University Admissions Why Indiana University Dropped Admissions Testing Requirements
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/views/2020/02/18/indiana-university-went-test-optional-students-opinion
University Admissions Cornell Trustees Consider Adopting Test-Optional Policy
https://cornellsun.com/2020/02/12/trustee-viewpoint-the-conversation-on-standardized-testing-marches-on/
Bob Schaeffer, interim Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
contributor: The Scandal of Standardized Tests: Why We Need to Drop the SAT & ACT
(forthcoming, Teachers College Press, April 2020)
office- (239) 395-6773 mobile- (239) 699-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org