The drumbeat of evidence documenting the damage to educational quality and equity from high-stakes exams is forcing policymakers to reconsider their commitment to testing overuse and misuse. Look for many more assessment reform victories as 2018 state legislative sessions move into high gear.
NationalNAEP “Proficient” Level Set Too High
https://www.educationdive.com/news/report-says-naeps-proficiency-term-is-misleading/514842/
District of ColumbiaNo Evidence for Test-Driven Education “Miracle”
https://gfbrandenburg.wordpress.com/2018/01/18/progress-or-not-in-dc-public-schools-after-democracy-was-discarded/
District of Columbia Two Years of Science Tests Scores Invalidated by Test-Maker Error
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2018/01/dc_will_invalidate_science-test_scores.html
FloridaState Policy Makers Fail a Simple Test
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/Romano-Once-again-state-education-leaders-fail-this-simple-test_164744050
GeorgiaTwo Atlanta School Leaders Disciplined for Testing Violation
http://www.myajc.com/news/local-education/aps-disciplined-school-leaders-over-testing-violation/PnjGrTCC5gHkjThu21kxuK/
IllinoisExam Scores Released Two Years Late
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-met-science-scores-20180116-story.html
Illinois Testing Requirements Hurts English Language Learners
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/letters-more-support-needed-for-early-english-learning-students/
IndianaWill State Adopt Confusing, Duplicate A-F School Grading System?
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/in/2018/01/16/will-indiana-go-through-with-a-confusing-plan-that-could-mean-every-school-winds-up-with-two-a-f-grades/
MichiganState Considering Alternative Tests Outside ESSA Pilot
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/01/michigan_not_pursuing_federal.html
MississippiEver-Changing School Grading System In Flux Again
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2018/jan/19/ever-changing-grade-system-public-schools-flux-aga/
Mississippi Student Data Accessed in Data Vendor Breach
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/19/mississippi-student-data-accessed-testing-vendor-breach/1050068001/
New YorkTest Security Breach Allows Access to Students’ Data
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/18/nyregion/breach-at-questar-allows-access-to-52-students-data.html
North CarolinaDo Bonuses Award the Right Teachers, and How Do We Know?
http://wunc.org/post/thousands-more-nc-teachers-get-bonuses-others-say-they-ve-been-left-out
OhioTesting Changes May Come Outside ESSA Plan
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/01/ohios_essa_plan_wins_federal_a.html
OklahomaExperts Highlight Flaws in Testing Plan
http://newsok.com/experts-highlight-flaws-in-ok-testing-plan/article/5579885
PennsylvaniaFeds Approve State ESSA Plan that De-emphasizes Test Scores
https://whyy.org/articles/feds-approve-pa-education-plan-deemphasizes-standardized-testing/
TexasOne Size Does Not Fit All in Assessment
http://amarillo.com/editorial/opinion/2018-01-22/editorial-one-size-does-not-fit-all-many-areas
Texas Legislative Candidates Express Bipartisan Disdain for State Testing System
http://www.dentonrc.com/news/news/2018/01/22/state-legislature-candidates-talk-public-schools-sanger-forum
WashingtonLinking Test to Graduation Saps Soul of Students
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/linking-test-to-graduation-saps-soul-of-students/
InternationalAssessing United Kingdom Teachers Based on Their Students’ Scores Ignores What Makes a Good Teacher
https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/measuring-teacher-effectiveness-exam-results-ignores-what-makes-a
University AdmissionsMore Colleges and Universities Backing Off ACT/SAT Requirements
https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/01/17/more-colleges-backing-off-sat-and-act-admissions-rule.aspx
University Admissions New Push to Use Student Projects in Applicant Reviews
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2018/01/a_new_push_to_use_student_projects_in_college_admissions.html
Worth ReadingComputer Testing Compounds Problems for Poor and Rural Districts
https://medium.com/s/new-school/paper-trail-df1d7be90b0f
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