Testing Resistance & Reform News: January 22 – 28, 2020

FairTest is pleased to announce that well-known testing expert Akil Bello has joined our assessment reform team. He will enhance our capacity to win more victories in rolling back standardized testing misuse and overuse while promoting better forms of assessment. You can now reach Akil at akil@fairtest.org

National After Two Decades of Testing Obsession, Scant Progress in Ensuring Bright Prospects for All Students
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/01/22/nation-shows-scant-progress-in-assuring-bright.html

National Will “Opportunity Gap” Replace “Achievement Gap”?
https://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/newsletter-opportunity-gap-012320

Multiple States Standards-Based Grading: Hope vs Reality
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-01-20-standards-based-grading-hope-vs-reality

California Proposal Would End “Basic Skills” Test Requirement for Teacher Candidates with Good Grades
https://atascaderonews.com/news/local-news/education/cunningham-introduces-legislation-to-address-teacher-shortage/

Colorado Better Ways to Choose Schools Than Relying on Simplistic Rankings
https://www.denverpost.com/2020/01/23/better-way-pick-schools-denvers-spf-rating-system/

Florida Ranking Schools Does Not Close Test Score Gaps
https://www.alligator.org/news/ranking-schools-doesn-t-close-achievement-gap-in-alachua-county/article_b3e65070-3e7f-11ea-85b4-9b1663b4adc5.html
Florida State Seeks to Extend “Accountabaloney” to Pre-Schools
https://accountabaloney.com/index.php/2020/01/26/why-is-academic-accountability-essential-for-pre-school-vouchers-but-not-k-12-vouchers/

Louisiana Audit Finds Missing Test Scores at Charter Schools
https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_19fbed86-3e10-11ea-95dd-df3e6f68438d.html

Massachusetts Report Urges State to Take Holistic View of Schools Beyond Standardized Exams
https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/01/23/rennie-report-condition-education
Massachusetts Plan Would Allow Teacher Licensing Based on Work Experience Instead of Test Scores
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2020/01/27/state-eyes-plan-improve-diversity-among-teachers/9AhbFNLZ5rn7JDKrGJLteI/story.html

Michigan School District Tells Parents It Does Not Support Third Grade Reading Retention Law
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/01/24/why-dearborn-public-schools-does-not-support-michigans-read-by-third-grade-law/#/questions

Mississippi Bills Filed to Remove History Testing Requirement
https://www.wtok.com/content/news/Miles-Bills-to-be-filed-to-remove-US-history-as-assessment-requirement-567216791.html

New York School Leader Removed for Allegedly Helping Students on State Tests
https://nypost.com/2020/01/25/maspeth-high-school-dean-who-allegedly-helped-kids-cheat-is-removed/

North Carolina IStation vs Amplify — Reading Test Contract Fight Continues
https://www.wnct.com/news/north-carolina/new-temporary-contract-for-nc-school-reading-tests-okd/

Pennsylvania Plan for New Teacher Evaluations Would Limit Impact of Standardized Exams
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/plan-for-new-teacher-evaluations-would-limit-impact-of-standardized/article_6c335e04-9243-5b33-8276-09077977fe18.html

Texas Legislator Says, Let’s Give STAAR Test the Boot
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/01/15/as-a-texas-legislator-im-determined-to-get-rid-of-the-staar-test/

Vermont State Board Hears Testimony on Proficiency Based Grading
https://vtdigger.org/2020/01/23/state-board-of-education-hears-all-sides-on-proficiency-based-grading/

University Admissions Indiana University Will Not Require Applicants to Submit ACT/SAT Scores
https://www.educationdive.com/news/indiana-us-flagship-goes-test-optional/570907/
University Admissions New FairTest Staffer Akil Bello Interviewed on Test-Optional Admissions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDiPVL62BYY&list=PL83D671EF21453CC0&index=102

International British Parents Want Government to Scrap Tests
https://www.tes.com/news/scrap-sats-and-judge-schools-happiness-say-parents

Worth Reading Stop Trying to Standardize Students
https://www.standard.net/opinion/guest-commentary/guest-op-ed-education-that-helps-students-increase-will-power/article_81223284-9759-508e-9050-8008b4f8323d.html

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
email- bobschaeffer@fairtest.org

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