Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 21 – 27, 2018

With state testing season beginning in some states as soon as next week, FairTest is pleased to offer freshly updated, free fact sheets on how to opt-out. Please circulate widely!

http://www.fairtest.org/why-you-can-boycott-testing-without-fear
http://www.fairtest.org/federal-law-and-regulations-opting-out-under-essa
http://www.fairtest.org/get-involved/opting-out

NationalMost Candidates for Governor Seats Criticize Current Testing Policies
https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2018/02/21/what_would-be_governors_have_to_say_about_education_110518.html

ArizonaStudents Can Choose From Menu of Tests to Meet High School Exam Requirement
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona-education/2018/02/26/arizona-high-school-students-testing-options-azmerit-sat-act-ap-cambridge/373497002/

District of ColumbiaWhen Test Scores Are All That Matters, Bad Things Are Bound to Result
https://themerrowreport.com/2018/02/21/educational-anorexia-bulimia-in-washington-dc-and-elsewhere/

FloridaAssessment Reform Leader Runs for School Board
http://keysweekly.com/42/two-file-for-school-seats/

Florida Tests May Not Be Scored in Time to Determine Graduation
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/2018/02/21/tough-graduation-decision-ahead-for-pasco-county-school-board-superintendent-warns/

GeorgiaWhy School Leaders Fake Academic Success
https://theconversation.com/why-school-leaders-fake-academic-success-91034

Georgia Results Mixed From Attempts to Help Cheated Atlanta Students
https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/aps-has-spent-million-far-helping-cheated-students-the-results-are-mixed/EWHjFs6x1sq5IA2I28xGiM/

IllinoisTests Don’t Measure What Makes a Great School
https://soundcloud.com/chicagosprogressivetalk/the-ben-joravsky-show-020818
(starting at minute 32:00)
Illinois Community Members Discuss School Rating Systems
http://hpherald.com/2018/02/21/community-members-education-advocates-discuss-public-school-rating-systems-education-forum/

IndianaTime to Educate Education Policy Makers
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/20180225/schooling-education-policymakers

IowaLawmakers Wade Into Disputed $31 Million Testing Contract Award
https://marketbrief.edweek.org/marketplace-k-12/iowa-lawmakers-wade-disputed-award-31-million-state-testing-contract/

Iowa Federal Politicians’ Attempts to “Fix” Education Hurt Local Schools
http://www.hamburgreporter.com/opinion/20180226/mark-l-hopkins-fixing-american-education-politics

MassachusettsStandardized Testing Town Hall: Friend or Foe of #edjustice
https://www.facebook.com/events/1802115023417232/

NevadaFocus on Test Scores Limits Funding for the Arts
http://www.rgj.com/story/life/arts/2018/02/24/nevada-educators-plan-how-get-art-back-schools/370421002/

New JerseyParents Pressure New Governor to Move Quickly on Assessment Reform
https://www.facebook.com/montclaircaresaboutschools/posts/893230790837845

New Jersey Will State Be Next to Leave PARCC Behind?
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2018/02/illinois_steps_back_from_parcc.html

New MexicoEducators File Court Motion to Bar “Value-Added” Teacher Ratings
http://vamboozled.com/new-mexicos-motion-for-summary-judgment-following-houstons-precedent-setting-ruling/

New YorkWhat Are “Innovative Assessments”
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2018/02/21/new-york-has-debated-innovative-tests-but-what-does-that-actually-mean/

NorthDakotaDon’t Let Faulty Test Scores Define Our Schools
https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/4406811-juelke-dont-let-faulty-test-scores-define-our-schools

TennesseeLong Delays in Returning Scores Makes Test Results Useless
http://www.dailypostathenian.com/news/article_399f59e2-18a7-11e8-8086-10604b9f0f43.html

UtahPainting a More Accurate Picture of Utah Schools
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900010684/letter-a-more-accurate-picture-of-education-in-utah.html

WashingtonEliminate State Exit Exam for English Language Learners
http://www.tukwilareporter.com/letters/state-testing-should-be-eliminated/

University AdmissionsTest-Optional Policy Gives Low-Income Students a Chance at College
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180224/national-louis-program-gives-low-income-students-their-chance-at-college

Worth ReadingGood Assessments Must Include Student Work
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2018/02/good_tests_must_include_student_work.html

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

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