Testing Resistance & Reform News: June 21 – 27, 2017

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/

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