Still lots of assessment reform activity in many states as Independence Day approaches. We particularly encourage you to check out the three longer pieces in “Worth Reading” for the upcoming, four-day holiday weekend
NationalWill ESSA End Test-Driven Curriculum Narrowing?
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2017/06/Under_ESSA_an_end_to_curriculum_narrowing.html
AlabamaState Board Votes Unanimously to Drop ACT Aspire Test After Score Report Error
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/06/alabama_board_votes_to_end_con.html
CaliforniaSmarter Balanced Interim Assessments Fall Short
https://www.cabinetreport.com/curriculum-instruction/smarter-balanced-comes-up-short-on-interim-exams
GeorgiaSchool Board Votes to Remove District Tests as Major Factor in Grade Promotion Requirements
http://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-school-board-eases-milestones-requirements-hires-new-principals/article_2d353890-57bc-11e7-920c-a76f739c7214.html
IllinoisWhat’s Really Wrong with Standardized Testing
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-this-is-why-students-take-standardized-tests-20170622-story.html
IndianaScrew Up by Test-Maker Pearson Invalidates Scores at 21 Schools
http://www.wibc.com/news/local-news/istep-goof-invalidates-scores-21-schools
Indiana Testing Only Makes Educational Problems Worse
https://sbloom2.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/commitment-reflected-in-tests/
KansasAnd the Tests Go On . . . Time to Opt Out
http://www.gctelegram.com/opinion/columnists/and-the-tests-go-on/article_898da427-b1aa-5ede-bae2-b9298d048f1f.html
MaineToo Many Assessment Tests
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2017/06/24/too-many-assessment-tests/2154433
MississippiTen Who Passed Exit Exam Due to Pearson Test Error Will Keep Diplomas
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/mississippi/articles/2017-06-21/10-graduate-thanks-to-test-errors-but-will-keep-diplomas
Mississippi History of Pearson Testing Foul Ups
http://thewestsidestory.net/mississippi-ends-contract-testing-error-pearson-education/
New JerseyPARCC Is Not Best Way to Assess Students
http://www.app.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/06/23/nj-parcc-test/103133006/
New YorkChanging Cut Scores on Regents Math Test
http://nypost.com/2017/06/25/students-taking-regents-math-test-only-needed-score-of-32-to-pass/
OhioHigh School Grad Testing Requirements Would Be Eased by Senate Bill
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/06/high_school_graduation_requirements_would_be_eased_under_senate_proposal.html
PennsylvaniaGovernor Signs Law Exempting Vo-Tech Students from Grad Test Requirement
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2017/06/22/keystone-exams-pennsylvania-standardized-testing-students-career-technical-education/stories/201706210192
TennesseeInspire Students to Learn, Not Just Take Tests
http://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2017/06/23/we-must-inspire-students-learn-not-just-take-tests/425538001/
WashingtonLegislature Moves to Create Options to Graduation Tests
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/washington-state-lawmakers-announce-compromise-on-high-school-testing-requirements/
InternationalUnited Kingdom Government Finally Admits Non-Stop Testing is Bad for Kids
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jun/26/ofsted-non-stop-testing-kids-amanda-spielman-schools-government-league-tables-targets-exams-teachers
Worth ReadingPerformance Assessments as a Powerful Lever for School Change
http://vue.annenberginstitute.org/issues/46
Worth Reading Inside Our Schools: Teachers on the Failure and Future of Education Reform
http://hepg.org/hep-home/books/inside-our-schools
Worth Reading The Disconnect Between Educational Measures and Life Outcomes
https://jaypgreene.com/2017/06/25/the-disconnect-between-educational-measures-and-life-outcomes/