Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 8 – 14, 2017

The pace of both testing resistance and assessment reform is definitely quickening as the late winter/early spring 2017 standardized exam season draws nearer. Great to see so many policy makers questioning the fundamental role and value of current volumes of testing and the stakes attached to them.

National“A to F” School Grading Scales Distort Public Perception of Schools
http://edwp.educ.msu.edu/green-and-write/2017/distortion-in-a-f-accountability-scales/

AlabamaFeds Question Whether ACT Test Is Aligned With State’s Standards
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/federal_officials_question_use.html

AlaskaDistrict Drops Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.newsminer.com/news/education/school-district-drops-test-requirement-for-graduation/article_298052ac-eddb-11e6-a90d-d7f516c06ad3.html

FloridaModel Grassroots Opt-Out Guides Published
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/2016-2017-opt-out-guides-are-here/

Florida Lawmakers Question Value of High-Stakes Testing
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-legislature-school-accountability-20170208-story.html

Florida Districts Move to Reduce Local Testing Mandates
http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/article132003914.html

IdahoSeniors Will No Longer Have to Pass Test to Graduate
http://www.localnews8.com/news/high-school-seniors-will-not-have-to-pass-isat-to-graduate/323529210

IndianaNew Name But Largely Same Old Failed Test
http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/02/10/new_classroom_testing_proposal_considered_by_lawmakers/

KentuckyDo State Assessments Really Do What They Say They Do?
http://www.bipps.org/kentuckys-kprep-school-assessments-supposed/

LouisianaMajor Debate About How Often Students Should Be Testing
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/education/article_10a12886-ee19-11e6-a35e-1b88d7545929.html

MaineEducators Look Beyond Testing to Measure Student Success
https://bangordailynews.com/2017/02/13/news/state/maine-educators-look-beyond-testing-to-measure-student-success/

MichiganSuperintendent Says Test Scores Measure Poverty, Not Academic Performance
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2017/02/saginaw_superintendent_says_st.html

New YorkState to Review Teacher Certification Exams
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/new-york-state-to-review_b_14653764.html

North CarolinaPromise to Cut Standardized Exams Will Be Put to the Test
https://robesonian.com/opinion/96040/promise-will-be-put-to-test

OhioSupers Criticize State ESSA Plan That Does Not Cut Testing
https://fairborndailyherald.com/news/14839/superintendents-not-happy-with-state-education-draft

OklahomaLegislators Seek Permanent Exemptions From Third Grade Promotion Test Law
http://newsok.com/article/5537823

TexasState’s Changing Testing Plans Confuse Teachers, Students
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/02/08/texas-keeps-changing-staar-test-plans-leaving-teachers-kids-unprepared

Texas A to F Ratings Spur Calls for School Assessment Change
https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/education/2017/02/10/f-ratings-spur-call-system-change/

Texas Houston Drops Stakes for Some Standardized Tests
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2017/02/13/187653/hisd-drops-some-stakes-for-state-standardized-tests-for-certain-grades/

UtahSchool Grading System Reflects State’s Failure Not Public Education
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4909415-155/op-ed-school-grading-system-is-a

West VirginiaLegislators Question Governor’s ACT Testing Proposal
http://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2017/02/w-va-educators-consider-gov-jim-justices-act-proposal/

University AdmissionWho Is Overseeing the SAT?
http://news.trust.org/item/20170214144603-ssrcq

Worth ReadingPublic Education Should Prioritize Quality Not Test Competition
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/public-education-should-prioritize-quality-not-competition/article_d963118c-ee62-11e6-b62b-c769950957ae.html

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