The test-and-punish customary suspects are circling the wagons in an attempt to pre-empt widespread waivers of standardized exam mandates for the upcoming school year (if and when it begins). Their fallback position is accepting waivers of test-related consequences, but still relying on scores to “track achievement.” Real assessment reformers recognize that this approach is designed to avoid debating the many problems of test overuse and misuse while keeping the same-old systems in place. Education policy makers need to hear the message loud and clear: cancel all 2020-2021 testing requirements NOW to focus on the real needs of students and educators dealing with a pandemic.
NationalTrump Administration Likely to Resist Additional Federal Testing Waivers
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/07/devos-not-give-testing-waivers-next-year.html
ArizonaSchool Board Members Seek State Test Suspension as Part of School Opening Plan
https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/school-board-members-seek-oct-1-reopening-date/article_4e8079ce-caaf-11ea-a31f-3383fef583bd.html
ConnecticutState Education Association Seek Academic Testing Limits if Schools Reopen
https://www.courant.com/coronavirus/hc-news-coronavirus-cea-learning-plan-20200721-pueejfvqszgxxnykckosdw7kgi-story.html
Georgia96% of Survey Respondents Agree with State’s Testing Waiver Request
https://allongeorgia.com/georgia-education-k12/georgia-submits-request-for-waiver-of-standardized-testing-requirements-in-2020-21/
IndianaTeachers Seek School Test Reduction or Elimination as a Condition for Reopening Classrooms
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2020/07/22/indiana-education-what-teachers-asking-gov-eric-holcomb/5470620002/
MichiganPolitical Fight Over Extending School Exam Waiver for Another Year
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/battle-michigan-schools-over-need-standardized-tests-year
New YorkCity Council Calling for Cancellation of State Tests
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2020/7/23/21336318/school-hasnt-started-yet-but-nyc-council-members-are-already-calling-to-cancel-state-tests
New York Bill to Overhaul Selective Exam High School Admissions Remains Unresolved
https://www.kingscountypolitics.com/shsat-bill-remians-unresolved-as-legislative-session-ends-this-week/
TennesseeEditorial: State Should Waive Standardized Testing Again This Year
https://www.crossville-chronicle.com/opinion/editorials/our-view/article_22eb994a-d038-11ea-8505-4785c547cbaa.html
TexasLegislators Call for Another Suspension of State Testing
https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20200725/opinion-texas-should-put-staar-on-hold-this-school-year
Texas Bipartisan Support for Lifting State Standardized Exam Burden
https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/education/state-legislators-from-both-parties-ask-texas-governor-to-delay-staar-tests/501-2785a80a-e40b-4166-aeda-c16fe6735ca2
Texas Governor Waives Some Grade Promotion Test Requirements
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/27/staar-texas-fifth-eighth-grade/
University AdmissionsPandemic and Protests May Spell End for ACT/SAT Requirements
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-21/what-virus-protests-for-u-s-college-admissions-quicktake
University Admissions Exam Centers May Be COVID-19 Super-Spreaders
https://www.businessinsider.com/standardized-testing-poses-health-risks-and-causes-students-stress-2020-7
Bob Schaeffer, interim Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org