Though classrooms across the country have closed for the summer, pressure continues to grow to overhaul policies which promote standardized exam overuse and misuses. Parents, educators and public officials are all moving forward with efforts to reduce test volume, eliminate high-stakes consequences, and promote better forms of assessment. You can help by keeping the “heat” on your elected representatives and other policy makers.
NationalWhat Is Joe Biden’s Plan for Education?
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/biden-education-policy-poverty/
CaliforniaSchool Using “Forward-Looking” Assessment
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-its-time-we-begin-using-assessments-to-look-forward-instead-of-back/2021/06
FloridaInitial Test Score Data Does Not Support “Learning Loss” Theory
https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2021/06/16/florida-schools-get-first-glimpse-of-student-pandemic-gains-losses/#
Florida “Achievement Gap” Is Rooted in Systematic Racism
https://www.gainesville.com/story/opinion/2021/06/22/adia-jones-achievement-gap-rooted-systemic-racism/7715257002/
IndianaWhat To Watch for in 2021 Test Scores
https://patch.com/indiana/across-in/3-things-watch-indianas-2021-ilearn-scores
MassachusettsWhat Is Academic “Rigor”? (and Do Test Scores Measure It?)
https://schoolyardnews.com/exam-school-admissions-what-is-rigor-e4c57ba3fbd5
Massachusetts Time to Fundamentally Rethink Approach to Assessment
https://www.masslive.com/opinion/2021/06/on-mcas-we-need-to-fundamentally-rethink-our-approach-to-testing-guest-viewpoint.html
MichiganSchools Rebel Against State’s Pass-Third-Grade-Reading-Test-or-Flunk Law
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/michigan-schools-revolt-wont-flunk-struggling-third-grade-readers
New YorkIn Assessing Student Learning, One Size Does Not Fit All
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-student-learning-one-size-all-20210618-p7frrpfmmrbkxlue6pl2zrtjpe-story.html
OregonLegislators Vote to Suspend Grad Exam Requirement Through 2024 to Review Testing Mandate
https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2021/06/oregon-students-shouldnt-have-to-prove-they-can-write-or-do-math-to-get-a-diploma-lawmakers-decide.html
TexasNew Law Helps Students Graduate Without Passing State Tests
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-student-learning-one-size-all-20210618-p7frrpfmmrbkxlue6pl2zrtjpe-story.html
West VirginiaTASC High-School Equivalency Exam to Be Terminated
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/education/tasc-wvs-high-school-equivalency-exam-will-be-terminated-aug-31/article_582d0c2e-3649-540d-824a-2e635e6fdbb0.html
University AdmissionsIdaho Board of Education Removes ACT/SAT Requirement for Public College Admission
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/education/idaho-board-of-ed-college-entrance-exams-optional-sat-act/277-180ec9dc-0f5a-4e7d-9e9b-3dd7c1f2c85d
InternationalIndia To Transform Assessment, Trust Teachers and Schools
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/to-transform-learning-assessment-trust-teachers-and-schools-7360900/
Worth ReadingUnraveling the Assessment Industrial Complex
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780367854065/unraveling-assessment-industrial-complex-michelle-tenam-zemach-daniel-conn-paul-parkison
Worth Reading “Ability” Tracking Students By Test Scores Does Not Improve Educational Outcomes
https://www.discoursemagazine.com/ideas/2021/06/16/is-tracking-students-by-ability-too-much-government-and-too-little-education/
Bob Schaeffer, Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-https://fairtest.org.org
email-bobschaeffer@fairtest.org