Testing Resistance & Reform News: March 11 – 16, 2020 — Cancel Spring Testing Now!

Response to the coronavirus pandemic dominates this week’s testing news, just as it does for other major activities. As this collection of articles makes clear, there’s no excuse for compelling children to sit for standardized exams in this risky environment. Jurisdictions that have not yet cancelled spring testing should be pressed to do so immediately! Feel free to contact FairTest for resources and strategic guidance in your local work.

To circulate this important information as broadly as possible, FairTest has expanded our normal weekly news clips distribution list — apologies for any duplication that might result

Stay safe!

National States Waive Standardized Tests; April ACT is Rescheduled; May SAT Cancelled,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/03/16/states-waive-mandated-standardized-tests-sat-cancels-may-exam-aprils-act-is-rescheduled/
National Feds Say States Might Be Able to Scrap Annual Tests
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2020/03/12/coronavirus-schools-testing-department-of-education/

California School Closings Could Delay Standardized Exams
https://edsource.org/2020/coronavirus-could-delay-standardized-testing-for-california-students/625211

Florida Time to Shut Schools, Cancel Testing Going Forward
http://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2020/03/its-time-for-florida-to-cancel-school.html

Indiana State Tests Suspended or Cancelled
https://www.wishtv.com/news/indiana-news/indiana-announces-delays-in-standardized-testing-of-students/

Kentucky Will Coronavirus School Closings Impact State Testing Mandates?
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/03/15/coronavirus-kentucky-could-schools-close-until-end-year/5054020002/

Louisiana Why Test-Driven Education “Reform” Is Failing
https://louisianaeducator.blogspot.com/2020/03/why-education-reform-is-failing.html

Massachusetts State Testing Among Undecided Questions, Boston Mayor Supports Cancellation
https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/03/15/graduation-state-mcas-testing-among-unanswered-questions-as-coronavirus-shutters-boston-schools/

Michigan Will Still Closings Postpone First Administration of Third-Grade Reading Retention Test?
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/questions-about-michigan-coronavirus-school-closings-we-have-some-answers

New York Cancel the State Tests Now
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/11/new-york-cancel-the-state-tests-now/
New York Why This School Opted Out of Advanced Placement
https://www.chronogram.com/hudsonvalley/why-this-capital-region-school-opted-out-of-advanced-placement/Content?oid=10154499

Ohio Governor Says, “If We Can’t Have Testing This Year . . . The World Won’t Come to an End”
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2020/03/ohio-gov-dewine-announces-3-week-spring-break-for-ohio-schools-to-control-coronavirus.html
Ohio State Lowers Passing Score for High School Diploma Exam
https://nbc24.com/news/local/ohio-lowers-test-score-requirements-for-high-school-diplomas-starting-with-class-of-2023

Pennsylvania What Do School Closings Mean for State Testing
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-schools-closing-20200315-uqgr7fs2xrhkjed2drntb2jk7y-story.html
Pennsylvania Schools Can Recover from Coronavirus by Cancelling Standardized Exams
https://gadflyonthewallblog.com/2020/03/15/public-schools-can-recover-from-the-covid-19-quarantine-by-skipping-high-stakes-tests/

Texas Governor Waives This Year’s State Testing Requirements
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article241199061.html

Washington School Tests Cancelled for 2020
https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/bulletinsmemos/bulletins2020/B019-20.pdf (see page 3)

University Admissions How the Coronavirus Disrupted the March SAT
https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2020/03/13/how-the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-wreaking-havoc-with-the-sat/#72e25ccc5a44
University Admissions April 4 ACT Rescheduled to June 13
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/covid-19.html
University Admissions May 2 SAT Cancelled
https://pages.collegeboard.org/natural-disasters

International Moving Ahead With British Test Schedule Would Put Lives at Risk
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/15/gcse-a-level-cancel-risk-lives-infection

Worth Reading How Can School Make Up Time Lost to Coronavirus Closings? Cut Standardized Testing
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2020/03/12/how-can-k-12-schools-make-up-time-lost-to-the-coronavirus-scrap-high-stakes-testing/#b61b3207e873

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

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