This week’s top story describes in rich detail the current opportunity for assessment reformers to transform educational testing across the U.S. Be sure to read the piece to the end to see FairTest’s agenda for K-12 testing reform. Now is the time to connect with like-minded individuals in your state and community. Feel free to contact FairTest for assistance building winning local campaigns!
National The Beginning of the End for U.S. Testing Obsession, Including Initial Steps for Assessment Reform
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/06/21/it-looks-like-beginning-end-americas-obsession-with-student-standardized-tests
California Bill Would Allow Certification of Teacher Candidates Based on Classwork, Not Exam
http://www.santamariasun.com/news/19734/cunningham-bill-expands-qualification-options-for-teacher-credential-candidates/
California Selective High School Eliminates Admission Test
https://myburbank.com/providence-high-school-eliminates-high-school-placement-test-for-admission/
Florida As Schools Plan to Reopen, Time to Talk About Standardized Testing
https://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2020/06/florida-can-we-talk-about-testing-draft.html?m=
Georgia Governor Seeks Waiver From 2020-2021 Federal Testing Mandates, Cuts State Exam Requirements
https://www.gpb.org/blogs/education-matters/2020/06/18/gov-kemp-superintendent-woods-seek-standardized-testing-waiver
Massachusetts Teachers Union Calls for Eliminating State Testing System
https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/teachers-union-demands-major-changes-before-schools-return/
Michigan Legislator Seeks Extension of Testing Suspension Into Next School Year
https://www.wxyz.com/news/should-schools-have-to-administer-all-required-standardized-tests-during-covid-19-budget-crunch
North Carolina Schools Move to New Model of Measuring Student Learning
https://www.salisburypost.com/2020/06/17/rowan-salisbury-schools-moving-on-to-new-model-of-measuring-student-success/
Pennsylvania Reliance on Standardized Exams Scores Increases School Segregation
https://gadflyonthewallblog.com/2020/06/19/standardized-tests-increase-school-segregation/
South Carolina State Will Seek to Suspend Standardized Testing Mandates in New School Year
https://www.goupstate.com/news/20200622/south-carolina-will-seek-to-suspend-standardized-tests-next-year
Texas Time to Pull the Plug on State Tests and School Ratings
https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20200619/opinion-itrsquos-time-to-pull-plug-on-staar-tests-and-campus-ratings
Utah Decrease Standardized Testing as Part of Anti-Racist Schools’ Agenda
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2020/06/17/marilee-coles-ritchie/
Vermont Test Results Repeatedly Show Same, Familiar Results
https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Vermont-SBAC-test-results-highlight-familiar-achievement-gap-571299761.html
University Admission ACT/SAT-Optional Movement Rapidly Gains Ground
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2020/06/test_optional_admissions_gain_ground_4_year_colleges.html
International United Kingdom Could This Be The End of Standardized Testing
https://www.virgin.com/richard/holly-sam-0/deep-dive-education-could-be-end-standardised-testing
Worth Reading How 20 Years of Test-Driven Education “Reform” Has Increased Inequality
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/how_20_years_of_education_reform_has_created_greater_inequality
Worth Reading Proposals to Create Post-COVID “Half Grades” Would Recreate Failed Academic Tracking Schemes
https://www.the74million.org/article/analysis-plans-to-catch-students-up-after-school-shutdowns-risk-creating-new-forms-of-academic-tracking-this-will-do-them-even-more-harm/
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