With the spring standardized exam season getting underway and the grassroots assessment reform movement ramping up pressure through opt-out campaigns and other strategies, FairTest has begun compiling a database of testing resistance activities around the nation. Check out the state-by-state list and supporting materials at:
http://www.fairtest.org/testing-resistance
To add your activities, send a message with date, location and a brief summary to fairtest@fairtest.org
For a sense of how much pushback against test overuse and misuse is already taking place across the U.S., this week’s stories come from 21 states in every region
National Register Now for Network for Public Ed. Conference in Raleigh,N.C. — April 16-17 (FairTest “Resistance” Workshop Sunday Morning)
https://events.bizzabo.com/NPEConference
Multiple States What State Legislators Can Do To Advance Assessment Reform — FairTest fact sheet
http://www.fairtest.org/what-state-legislators-can-do-advance-assessment-r
California Ed Researchers Urge Ban on High-Stakes Tests
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/03/16/education…
California Should Non-Cognitive Skills Be Included in School Accountability Measures
http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2016/03/17-non-cognitive-skill…
Colorado Opt-Out Guide
http://www.angelaengel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/files_csap_final_p…
Colorado Testing Flexibility Initiatives Await Federal Guidelines
http://co.chalkbeat.org/2016/03/17/big-ideas-on-testing-flexibility-prob…
Colorado Another Testing Mandate?
http://www.vaildaily.com/opinion/21159675-113/vail-daily-column-another-…
Connecticut Teachers Concerned Tying Test Scores to Evaluations Will Hurt Urban Schools
http://wnpr.org/post/teachers-worry-tying-test-scores-evaluations-will-h…
Delaware Educators Want to End State Standardized Texas
http://delawarestatenews.net/schools/delaware-teachers-union-wants-stand…
Florida How to Opt Your Kid Out of State Standardized Tests
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/heres-how-to-opt-your-kid-out-of-fl…
Florida Fire-Breathing Stunt Goes Badly Awry at Test-Prep Really
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/03/19/fire-brea…
Florida Testing Pep Rallies Are Just Plain Nuts!
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/todays-buzz/sfl-testing-parties-are-…
Georgia Teachers and Testing Foes Score a Big Win in Legislature
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/teachers-and-testing-foes…
Indiana Schools Say “No” to More Testing
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/FWCS-says-no-to-more-te…
Indiana How State Test Lost Credibility
http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2016/03/18/pulliam-why-istep-lost-…
Illinois Why a Very Brave Child Fears Standardized Testing
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurie-levy/why-a-very-brave-child-fe_b_94…
Louisiana Don’t Blame Students For Test-Score Manipulation
http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/15102553-123/letters-children-arent-…
Maryland House Passes Bill Limiting Time Spent on Standardized Testing
http://www.wcbcradio.com/?news=msea-applauds-limits-on-test-prep
Massachusetts Opt-Out Fact Sheet
http://www.citizensforpublicschools.org/the-facts-on-opting-out-of-mcas-…
Massachusetts History Exam Mandate Would Create Illusion of Accountability
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2016/03/17/history-exam-woul…
Massachusetts Teaching to the Test Is Creating a Non-Thinking Population
http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/03/teaching_to_the_test_i…
Minnesota Lawmakers Consider Changes to State Testing System
http://www.wday.com/news/3987928-lawmakers-discuss-bill-addresses-diffic…
Mississippi Practice Tests Have Multiple Flaws
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/03/15/practice-tests-state-…
Nevada Feds Won’t Penalize State for Low Participation Rate After Computer Test Failure
http://elkodaily.com/news/state-and-regional/common-core-feds-won-t-pena…
New Jersey Education Activists Argue That Grad Test Requirement is Illegal
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/03/15/parcc-graduation-requirement…
New Jersey School Boards Push to Halt PARCC Testing Requirements
http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2016/03/nj_school_boards_p…
New Jersey Did State Mislead Families About Role of PARCC Test
https://criticalclassrooms.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/nyc-parents-heres-th…
New York Performance Standards Consortium Demonstrates Value of Student Engagement
http://www.aft.org/ae/spring2016/barlowe-and-cook
New York School Chancellor Says, As a Parent, “I Would Opt Out” of State Tests
http://ny.chalkbeat.org/2016/03/21/rosa-new-head-of-new-york-education-p…
New York The Truth About the 2016 State Tests
https://criticalclassrooms.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/nyc-parents-heres-th…
Ohio Down With State’s School Grading System
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Editorial/2016/03/16/Down-with-the-state…
Ohio Flawed School Testing Needs Reconsideration
http://www.irontontribune.com/2016/03/17/flawed-school-testing-needs-rec…
Rhode Island Say “No” to PARCC with Caucus of Rank and File Educators
http://www.rifuture.org/say-no-to-parcc-with-the-caucus-of-rank-and-file…
Tennessee Opt-Out Movement Gains Traction
http://tn.chalkbeat.org/2016/03/16/opt-out-movement-gains-foothold-in-te…
Tennessee Legislative Defers Consideration of Bills to Reign-In Testing
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/03/16/state-bills-target-high-…
Utah Most Teachers Say State Test Results Are Useless
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650330/Teachers-ask-for-resources-…
Wisconsin Thousands Opted Out of State Tests
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/percent-o…
Straight Talk About Kindergarten Readiness Assessment from Defending the Early Years
https://deyproject.org/2016/03/17/dey-releases-straight-talk-about-kinde…
“It’s Still Opting Out for Me” by the Bald-Headed Piano guy
https://www.facebook.com/baldpianoguy/videos/1512331875739860/