Testing Resistance & Reform News: July 26 - August 1, 2017
Disputes between states and the U.S. Department of Education over Every Student Succeeds Act testing and score reporting requirements under state are accelerating. Assessment reformers are seeking inclusion of provisions that fulfill the new law's promised flexibility without federal micromanagement. In jurisdictions still working on compliance plans, there are still opportunities to press for fewer standardized exams and a reduction of high-stakes.
Florida Senator Questions Inconsistent Use of Scores From Flawed Exam
http://weartv.com/news/local/florida-senator-questions-handling-of-algebra-exam
Florida Reliance on Flawed Test Blocks Teacher Hiring
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/35990352/rigorous-state-test-delays-hiring-teachers-statewide
Indiana Change in Federal Grad Rate Calculation May Alter School Grades
http://fox59.com/2017/07/31/change-in-federal-graduation-rate-could-impact-a-f-grades-of-indiana-schools/
Massachusetts It's Time for a Moratorium on High-Stakes Standardized Tests
http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/07/its_time_for_a_high-stakes_tes.html
Michigan State Scraps "A to F" School Grades, Moves to Dashboard System
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2017/07/without_legislative_action_michigan_scraps_a-f_grading_system.html
Michigan Forum Debates Having Students Skip Standardized Tests to Protest School Closings
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2017/07/31/detroit-freedom-schools-standardized-tests/104180446/
New Jersey What Do PARCC Scores Really Mean?
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/07/27/putting-the-latest-parcc-results-in-perspective/
New Jersey State Seeks ESSA Waiver From 8th Grade Math Test Requirement
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2017/07/after_devos_feedback_nj_asks_for_testing_waiver_from_essa.html
New Mexico Educators Want PARCC Scores Removed From Teacher Evaluations, School Grades
http://www.currentargus.com/story/news/education/2017/07/29/education-officials-want-parcc-removed-evaluations-school-grades/521456001/
New York State Geometry Test to be Rescored Due to Flawed Question
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/state-regents-geometry-exam-question-to-be-rescored-1.13822787
North Carolina Standardized Testing Makes Teaching Harder Than It Should Be
http://www.gastongazette.com/news/20170729/column-3-things-that-make-teaching-school-harder-than-it-should-be
Ohio Outcry Over Testing Requirements Forces Changes in State ESSA Plan
https://www.the74million.org/article/ohios-essa-reboot-state-school-leaders-make-big-pivot-after-outcry-over-testing-requirements
Ohio Superintendent Calls for Broader Assessment Reforms
http://www.dailycall.com/opinion/columns/26272/not-a-great-first-step-at-all
Oklahoma Test-Based School Rankings Are Misleading
https://nondoc.com/2017/07/27/school-rankings-shocking-headlines/
Oklahoma Fired Testing Company Tries to Get Back Into the Game
http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/oklahoma-s-fired-state-testing-company-trying-to-get-back/article_744f4561-2be4-5929-bb39-43f5fe4b5b6b.html
Rhode Island Schools Chief Claims Emphasis is on Teaching Not Testing
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170728/ri-education-chief-emphasizes-return-to-teaching-not-testing
South Carolina Half of School Districts Ignore State's Computer Testing Law
http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article164431772.html
Texas Criticisms of Test-Based State School Accountability System
http://northdallasgazette.com/2017/07/27/statewide-accountability-measures-modify-district-assessment/
West Virginia Proposed Accountability System Would Replace "A to F" School Grades
http://wvmetronews.com/2017/07/31/new-accountability-system-assessments-key-parts-of-west-virginia-education-proposal/
Wyoming Let Teachers, Students Break Away From Test-Driven Curriculum
http://trib.com/opinion/letters/parkin-let-students-and-teacher-do-what-works-for-them/article_81923940-c0e2-549e-9ce3-a97b3f7edae8.html
University Does the SAT Still Matter if Nearly 1,000 Schools Are Test Optional?
http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/college-game-plan/does-sat-still-matter-if-nearly-1-000-colleges-are-n786046
University Dominican College Joins Growing National Trend by Dropping ACT/SAT Admissions Exam Requirement
http://www.rocklandtimes.com/2017/07/27/dominican-college-joins-a-growing-national-trend-becomes-test-optional/
International Standardized Tests Are Killing Creativity in Australian Schools
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/comment-standarsided-tests-are-killing-creativity-in-our-schools/news-story/00630e2eb374b654a5964e790ee2e97c
Worth Reading The Collateral Damage of Testing Pressures
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/07/the-collateral-damage-of-testing-pressure/534717/
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
web- http://www.fairtest.org
1,350+ Accredited, 4-Year Colleges & Universities with ACT/SAT-Optional Testing Policies for Fall, 2022 Admissions