Testing Resistance & Reform News: June 6 – 12, 2018

With the academic year wrapping up across the U.S., education news coverage is turning to the many negative impacts of excessive testing requirements on students, teachers, schools and communities. This fall’s state and local elections can help define a new framework for assessment policy making

NationalThe Bottom Line on Opting Out of High-Stakes Tests
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/06/08/the-bottom-line-on-opting-out-of-high-stakes-standardized-tests/

FloridaTime to Rethink Third Grade Retention Policy
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2018/06/08/time-rethink-third-grade-retentions-opinion/684467002/

Florida New Computer Test Depresses Kindergarten Readiness Scores
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-reg-vpk-school-readiness-20180605-story.html

LouisianaLost Test Score Blocks Student From Walking at Graduation Ceremony
http://www.ksla.com/story/38391943/with-test-score-lost-senior-blocked-from-her-commencement

MaineEducation Should Focus on Critical Thinking, Not Test Memorization
http://mainepublic.org/post/its-not-memory-test-education-needs-focus-critical-thinking

New MexicoExpert Challenges Validity of Test-Based “Value-Added” Teacher Evaluation
http://vamboozled.com/new-mexico-teacher-evaluation-lawsuit-updates/

New YorkOpt Out Leaders Say Revised Teacher Evaluation Law Does Not Go Far Enough
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/test-opt-out-teacher-evaluation-1.18991047

New York Students Talk About How One Test Kept NYC Specialized High Schools Segregated
http://hechingerreport.org/how-one-test-kept-new-york-city-high-schools-segregated/

North CarolinaStudents, Teachers on My Mind During Testing Season
https://www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/24957-students-and-teachers-are-on-my-mind

North Carolina Test Schools Tell Us Little About Student Success
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/06/08/n-c-teacher-test-score-says-the-year-was-a-dismal-failure-for-my-student-but-it-really-was-a-resounding-success/?utm_term=.c95b8bdc5eab

OhioSpecial Ed Student Denied Graduation Over Single Test
http://fox8.com/2018/06/11/student-denied-graduation-over-state-test/

PennsylvaniaAuditor to Examine Costs, Lack of Transparency on State Exams
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20180605/pa-auditor-general-to-review-spending-lack-of-transparency-on-keystone-exams

Pennsylvania New Law Requires Civics Test, But Students Will Not Have to Pass It
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/06/10/civics-test-bill-pennsylvania-legislature-karen-boback-students-not-required-to-pass/stories/201806080120

TennesseeSchool Rating System Eliminates A-to-F Grades Due to Flawed Test Scores
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2018/06/11/with-a-f-grades-off-the-table-tennessee-gets-creative-about-rating-its-schools-under-federal-law/

TexasStudents Told They Failed Test After Grade Promotion Ceremony
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/After-Promotion-Ceremony-Some-Fort-Worth-Students-Learn-They-May-Not-Advance-484631041.html

Texas Parents Question Test-Based School Rankings
http://theleadernews.com/school-rankings-rankle-parents/

UtahState Presses Feds to Waive 95% Test Participation Requirement
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900020987/feds-reject-utah-school-testing-waiver.html

VirginiaPotential Exam Irregularities Lead to Re-Testing
https://baconsrebellion.com/more-potential-irregularities-for-sol-testing/

West VirginiaTeachers Should Fight Against Florida-Model Reforms
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/gazette_opinion/op_ed_commentaries/kristy-peters-want-to-know-what-not-to-do-in/article_85bdb9ad-e0fe-5907-9394-c240f96c191d.html

InternationalScottish Teachers Protest Blanket Testing for Primary Pupils
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16273423.Teachers_attack_blanket_testing_plan_for_primary_pupils/

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org

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