Angry parents, educators and many state policy makers are pushing back aggressively against the Biden Administration’s refusal to grant comprehensive waivers from spring 2021 student testing mandates. The decision by DC-insiders to double down on administering standardized exams as schools just begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed a broad, diverse opt-out movement and renewed calls for meaningful assessment reforms. Make sure your federal and state representatives are hearing from you!
National500+ Educational Research Experts Call for Federal Approval of Broad Testing Waivers
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10nJAjHkYPiYyCdWYVu1cpY_zIkWvNmUO/view
National Biden Administration Decision Re-Ignites Movement to Opt-Out of Standardized Exams
https://progressive.org/public-school-shakedown/biden-movement-oppose-standardized-test-jacobs-210322/
ArizonaWhy So Many Students Won’t Be Taking Standardized Tests This Spring
https://tucson.com/news/local/education/why-many-tucson-kids-likely-to-skip-in-person-standardized-tests-this-year/article_eb0f0c53-a9c7-5700-a662-e653a20039e0.html
CaliforniaState Will Seek U.S. Ed Department Waiver to Allow Districts to Choose Which Tests to Administer
https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr21/yr21rel18.asp
ColoradoGovernor Signs Bill Scaling Back Testing. Will Feds Approve Plan?
https://co.chalkbeat.org/2021/3/16/22334492/gov-polis-approves-scaling-back-cmas-standardized-testing-federal-government-must-approve
FloridaUrge State Officials to Apply for Broader Federal Exam Waivers
https://fundeducationnow.org/take-action-urge-fl-to-apply-for-the-2021-federal-testing-waiver-today/
Florida PTA and Teachers Push Governor to Suspend Exams
https://www.winknews.com/2021/03/19/florida-pta-pushes-for-gov-desantis-to-waive-standardized-testing/
IllinoisFamilies Applaud State’s Initial Testing Reductions, Call for Broader Assessment Reforms
https://www.ilfps.org/testing_adjustments_2021?fbclid=IwAR0Qs0YEW6wb2vQrna8CfSMDnxSs1fBWQovYzplrPrUokWIoVKHUKVpRd_A
MassachusettsTesting Debate Heats Up
http://homenewshere.com/middlesex_east/article_d26676f8-87fb-11eb-b85e-6776296dc333.html
Massachusetts Why Does State Care More About Administering Tests Than Protecting the Health of Children and Educators?
https://www.recorder.com/ltr-selwyn-DESE-InPersonLearning-39343620
Massachusetts Drop Standardized Testing This Year – Editorial
https://www.capenews.net/falmouth/opinion/drop-mcas-for-this-year—editorial/article_525e7d98-996a-5f31-90ce-96d53e8ae3db.html
MarylandState Assessments Postponed Until Fall
https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/spring-break-state-assessments-to-be-postponed-until-the-fall/article_4f40d31b-8f02-5cec-ad34-a3f8a580e953.html
MichiganBipartisan Legislative Proposal Would Suspend School Tests and Grade Promotion Law This Year
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/michigan-gop-cancel-standardized-tests-and-3rd-grade-reading-law-year
MinnesotaRecord Number of Opt-Outs Expected for Spring In-Person School Testing
https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-students-must-take-standardized-tests-in-person-some-fear-record-number-of-opt-outs
New MexicoPrioritizing Student Testing Over Public Health Is a Dangerous Precedent
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/life/teen/prioritizing-tests-over-public-health-is-a-dangerous-precedent/article_5bf76d78-86a3-11eb-a8dc-8bc9bf0827a3.html
New YorkWhy I’m Opting My Son Out of Standardized Testing (and You Can, Too)
https://thejosevilson.com/why-im-opting-my-son-out-of-standardized-testing-and-you-can-too/
OregonState Legislative Leaders Want to Waive All Standardized Exams Until 2022
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/19/oregon-leaders-want-to-avoid-standardized-tests-until-2022/
Oregon Local School Board Resolution States That Opting Out Is Best Response to This Year’s State Testing
https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Ashland-School-District-opts-out-of-state-assessments-for-the-year-574018131.html
WashingtonState Waiver Request Seeks to Test Only Small Sample of Students
https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/education/fewer-students-may-take-federal-standarized-tests-this-spring-if-state-request-is-approved/article_297423ae-89b1-5891-93d3-51acdad713b3.html
Washington Cancel Standardized Tests
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/education-cancel-standardized-tests/
University AdmissionsLoyola New Orleans University President on Future of SAT
https://money.com/test-blind-policies-fair-college-admissions/
University Admissions Students Testify in Favor of ACT/SAT-Optional Policies
https://www.colorado.edu/today/2021/03/19/students-testify-test-optional-bill-colorado-house
University Admissions Plans for 2021 Advanced Placement Exams Show That College Board Does Not Care About Students
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/2021-aps-college-board
Worth ReadingRequiring Tests This Spring Would Be Child Abuse
https://themerrowreport.com/2021/03/18/cancel-the-fking-tests/
Worth Reading Why We Do Not Need the Big Standardized Test in One Quote
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2021/03/why-we-dont-need-big-standardized-test.html
Bob Schaeffer, Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org