Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 19 – 25, 2020

Cutbacks in the number of standardized tests . . . elimination of high-stakes exam requirements . . . implementation of performance assessments — across the U.S., assessment reformers are winning major policy victories and promoting alternatives that advance better teaching and learning.

Colorado Students Take Advantage of Multiple Pathways to High School Graduation
https://www.timescall.com/2020/02/22/graduation-requirements/

Colorado State’s High School Social Studies Exam Might Just Disappear
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2020/02/21/colorado-high-school-social-studies-exam/

Connecticut Teachers Explain Student Stress From Standardized Tests
https://www.wfsb.com/news/teachers-explain-how-standardized-testing-causes-stress-on-students/article_59770182-52ae-11ea-9d3f-1f0ee55d2465.html
Connecticut The Latest High-Stakes Testing Cheating Scandal
https://www.darientimes.com/news/article/Darien-school-is-latest-in-CT-cheating-scandals-15067326.php
Connecticut Local Board Looks to Develop Test Opt-Out Policy
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/school_board_testing_opt-out/id_118424

Florida Ending High-Stakes Testing Would Improve Education
https://www.gainesville.com/opinion/20200220/amanda-lacy-shitama-ending-high-stakes-testing-would-improve-education

Georgia Testing Reduction Bill Passed by Key Legislative Committee
https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-education/testing-cutback-advancing-through-georgia-senate/h24M8MqqSGCDztKxCySjnN/

Illinois Chicago Schools Agree to Overhaul Testing Practices After “Irregularities” Are Documented
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/report-shows-irregularities-in-highstakes-cps-exam/56990dea-9d3e-445e-a062-65a1c957fa23

Indiana Constant Testing Sucks Joy Out of Learning
https://www.heraldbulletin.com/opinion/columns/shane-phipps-column-constant-testing-sucks-joy-out-of-learning/article_e3488934-5688-11ea-b43a-7b213e6179a3.html

Louisiana Thousands of Exams Voided for “Irregularities”
https://thelensnola.org/2020/02/18/standardized-tests-voided-at-three-dozen-new-orleans-schools-due-to-irregularities/

Massachusetts Boston Selective Schools Seek Vendor to Create Bias-Free Entrance Exam
https://www.universalhub.com/2020/bps-makes-it-official-asks-company-write-exam

Michigan Fight Over Third Grade Retention Law Escalates
https://sbloom2.wordpress.com/2020/02/23/third-grade-punishment-laws/

New Jersey Plan to Overhaul Teacher Evaluation
https://www.newjerseynewsnetwork.com/story/41755470/new-jersey-will-soon-change-the-way-they-evaluate-their-school-teachers

Ohio Voucher Schools Escape Test Score Scrutiny
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2020/02/voucher-schools-escape-test-score-scrutiny.html

Pennsylvania School Board Wants to Replace State Assessment System
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/article240428776.html

Texas Poll Finds Broad Public Concern About Value of Standardized Tests
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article240442496.html

University Admissions University of St. Thomas Drops ACT/SAT Application Requirements
http://www.startribune.com/university-of-st-thomas-goes-test-optional/568094252/
University Admissions St. Bonaventure University Goes Test-Optional
https://www.sbu.edu/about-sbu/news-events/latest-news/news-release/2020/02/23/st.-bonaventure-to-adopt-test-optional-policy-for-standardized-tests-with-conditions

International Chile’s SAT Shut Down By Student Protests
https://www.ozy.com/around-the-world/theyre-shutting-down-chiles-sat/275179/

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

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