Though school is out for the summer and the long, holiday weekend slowed coverage, there’s still plenty of assessment reform news. Please add your voice at the Save Our Schools rally, march and conference in Washington DC at the end of this week
http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/
NationalLawmakers Press Ed. Secretary Over Every Student Succeeds Act Draft Regulations
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/06/senate_essa_oversight_hearing_school_ratings_timeline.html
National The Parts of ESSA Regulations That Most Concern Members of Congress
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/07/ESSA_draft_accountability_concerns_congress.html
National Keep the Pressure on Washington By Speaking Out Against Test-and-Punish Proposals
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-department-must-drop-proposed-accountability-regulations
National How Will ESSA’s Innovative Assessment Pilot Program Work?
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/06/how_will_essas_innovative_asse.htm
AlaskaState Drops Last Remaining Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.adn.com/alaska-news/education/2016/06/30/students-no-longer-need-national-tests-to-graduate/
CaliforniaSeeking to Redefine “Accountability” in ESSA Era
http://laschoolreport.com/california-in-the-age-of-essa-can-schools-be-held-accountable-without-real-consequences/
ConnecticutThe Outrageous Costs of Smarter Balanced Testing
http://ctviewpoints.org/2016/06/29/cost-of-sbac-testing-in-connecticut-is-unconscionable-unnecessary/
FloridaPortfolios Put Assessment Where It Belongs . . . With Classroom Teachers
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/portfolios-put-assessment-where-it-belongs-with-teachers/
IllinoisAssessment Reformers Push Back Against Plan to Use Test Scores in Chicago Teacher Ratings
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/parcc-count-cps-teacher-school-ratings/
IndianaScores From Pearson Tests Delayed Again
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/ISTEP-scores-again-delayed-13896176
IowaTest Score Rankings Mask Quality Schools
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/education/k-12-education/standardized-test-score-rankings-mask-quality-schools-cedar-rapids-officials-say-20160703
KentuckySchools Expect Less Testing Will Promote More Learning
http://www.wlky.com/news/jcps-hoping-to-reduce-assessments-increase-achievement-during-school-year/40264076
MassachusettsState Senate Votes to End Mandate Tying Educator Evaluation to Student Test Scores
http://aftma.net/2016/06/ma-senate-approves-amendment-eliminate-ddm-mandate-2/
Massachusetts Don’t Use Test Scores To Judge Teacher Quality
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/columns/2016/06/30/diane-ravitch-don-use-test-scores-judge-teacher-quality/x8YQTRHOJQIKNgkIhOakCO/story.html
Massachusetts Boston Weighs Changes to Admissions Rules for Exam Schools
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/07/01/boston-explores-changes-exam-school-admissions-foster-greater-diversity/bFOSHWh3kjNcbmvPcCnyhO/story.html
TexasMoms Share Why They Opt Their Children Out of State Tests
http://www.pleasantonexpress.com/news/2016-06-29/Front_Page/Moms_share_why_they_opt_children_out_of_STAAR_001.html
Texas Survey Shows Most Unhappy with State Exams
http://kxan.com/2016/06/30/survey-most-unhappy-with-staar-exam/
WashingtonPromote Learning Over Mandated Testing
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article87117352.html