Testing Resistance & Reform News: January 6 - 12, 2021

National States Move to Suspend "A to F" School Report Cards, Create Flexibility for "Accountability" 
https://www.k12dive.com/news/states-move-to-suspend-school-report-cards-create-accountability-flexibili/592681/
National Webinar on What School Accountability Should Look Like in a Time of COVID with Assessment Reform allies Lorrie Shepard and Angela Valenzuela
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/opinion-what-should-school-accountability-look-like-in-a-time-of-covid/2021/01

Colorado School Standardized Testing Will Be Key Issue in 2021 Legislative Session
https://co.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/11/22226029/colorado-2021-legislative-preview-testing-and-funding-will-be-key-issues

Florida With Exit Exam Requirement Waived, High School Graduation Rate Hit 90% in 2020
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-florida-high-school-graduation-rates-20210107-43rlhgh4svblrml7cvmjv4b7am-story.html

Georgia Appeals Court Hears New Challenge to Atlanta Test-Cheating Convictions
https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/appeals-court-hears-challenges-to-aps-test-cheating-convictions/XSBICGAH5ZC6DBN3RN5QJBQIZA/

Indiana Political Leaders Want Students to Take Tests But Without Consequences for Scores
https://in.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/7/22217585/indiana-ilearn-covid-hold-harmless

Maine Listen to Educators and Lift Annual Testing Mandate
https://bangordailynews.com/2021/01/05/opinion/contributors/evolving-our-educational-expectations-for-2021/

Massachusetts High School Seniors Will Not Have to Pass State Test to Graduate in Spring 2021
https://www.wbur.org/edify/2021/01/05/mcas-senior-graduation-test-coronavirus

Minnesota Standardized Testing During COVID Becomes Flashpoint for English Learners
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/01/11/standardized-tests-during-covid19-become-a-flashpoint-for-minnesota-students-learning-english

Mississippi State Wants to Waive Some Standardized Testing Requirements
https://www.wlbt.com/2021/01/07/state-wants-waive-testing-requirements-high-school-seniors-third-graders-wake-covid-/

Missouri 94% of State Teachers Support Suspending Spring 2021 Standardized Exams
https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2021/01/05/missouri-schools-msta-survey-94-teachers-support-suspending-state-tests/4135412001/

New Jersey High School Seniors Won't Have to Pass Exit Exam to Graduate; Teachers Will Not Be Evaluated by Students' Test Scores
https://www.nj.com/education/2021/01/nj-seniors-dont-have-to-pass-exit-exam-teachers-wont-be-rated-on-student-performance.html

New York Spare the Tests, Support the Children
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-spare-the-tests-support-the-children-20210112-ef2hznkuxzauplgtndruaqwlcm-story.html

North Carolina State Seeks School "Accountability" Waiver but Insists on In-Person Testing During Pandemic
https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/despite-covid-19-cases-at-record-high-n-c-students-still-required-to-take-in/article_9f53f756-51cb-11eb-96e4-f31a0c0b51e8.html

Pennsylvania Will Parents Be Asked to Proctor District Exams at Home?
https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/will-pa-schools

Rhode Island Teachers Concerned About Validity of English Learner Tests
https://turnto10.com/i-team/english-learner-proficiency-tests-draw-concern-from-educators-organizations

Texas State Seeks to Move All Standardized Exams Online
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/Texas-relatively-close-to-ready-for-moving-15850744.php

Virginia Students Can Opt Out of Most State Tests
https://www.dailypress.com/news/education/dp-nw-sol-tests-coronavirus-20210109-jwxiopgcs5f4hlk2eqryiulmta-story.html
Virginia English Learners Urged to Come to School to Take Tests
https://richmond.com/news/local/english-learners-are-being-asked-to-come-to-school-in-person-to-take-standardized-test/article_49f807dd-41b5-51ef-ba8c-587d3ddb14df.html

University Admissions "Top 100" MBA Programs That Are Waiving GMAT/GRE Score Requirements
https://poetsandquants.com/2021/01/10/top-100-mba-programs-that-are-now-waiving-gmat-gre-tests/?pq-category=admissions

Worth Reading Learning Disabilities Association Says Meeting Needs of Students and Schools Should Take Priority Over Standardized Testing
https://www.k12dive.com/news/supporting-schools-must-take-priority-over-costly-standardized-tests/593022/

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