With the K-12 standardized exam season starting up across the nation, the grassroots assessment reform movement is ratcheting up outreach to both local education stakeholders and policy-makers at the state and federal levels. The result is an increase in public school students opting out of tests as well as more cutbacks in testing volume and consequences.
National Activists Urge Senate Not to Confirm Test-and-Punish Promoter as U.S. Ed. Secretary
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/03/03/activists…
National Performance Assessment Webinar
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3900228701060916739 — log in with first and last name plus email
National Opt Out Movement Must Grow and Grow
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OptOutOrlando/permalink/747886005347430/
National Just Say “No” to the Tests Opt-Out Guide
http://www.fairtest.org/get-involved/opting-out
National Educators Back Parents Who Say “No” to Test Stress
http://parentsacrossamerica.org/educator-endorsements-paa-test-stress-po…
Multiple States New Federal Education Law Encourages Consideration of Innovative Assessments
http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-education/2016/03/essa-spurs-s…
Alabama Criticism of New Test-Based Teacher Evaluation Bill
http://vamboozled.com/alabamas-new-accountability-system-part-ii/
Arizona Opt-Out Bill Blocked but Alternative Assessments Advance
http://azdailysun.com/news/local/testing-opt-out-fails-alternatives-adva…
Connecticut State Dept of Ed Pushes Local School Leaders to Crack Down on Opt Outs
http://jonathanpelto.com/2016/03/04/incredulous-watching-ct-department-e…
Connecticut Lawmakers Debate Role of Student Tests in Teacher Evaluations
http://kstp.com/news/st-paul-federation-teachers-opt-out-option-standard…
Florida More Frustrated Families Opting Out of Exams
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-opt-out-movement-2016030…
Florida Test-Based Teacher Bonus Scheme is Still a Terrible Idea
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160302/OPINION01/160309990/1076/opi…
Florida School Board Member Calls for Allowing Students to Read Silently When Done Testing
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/pasco-school-board-member-joins-…
Georgia Parents and Educators Tell Legislators: De-Emphasize Test Scores in Teacher Ratings
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2016/03/07/education-groups-to-lawmake…
Illinois Eight Reasons to Opt-Out of Standardized Tests
http://www.chicagonow.com/still-advocating/2016/03/opt-out-of-parcc-eigh…
Illinois Spring Testing Season Begins With Push Back
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-school-testing-season-met-20160306…
Indiana Validity of Exit Exams is Debated
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/Validity-of-exit-exams-…
Indiana Mom Finds Way for Daughter to Opt-Out of State Testing
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/03/01/mom-finds-way-da…
Indiana Writing Is On the Wall for End of ISTEP
http://www.goshennews.com/news/local_news/the-writing-is-on-the-wall-for…
Minnesota Opt-Out Numbers Expected to Rise
http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/06/in-st-paul-schools-test-opt-outs-ex…
Minnesota Teachers Suggest Students Consider Opt Out
http://kstp.com/news/st-paul-federation-teachers-opt-out-option-standard…
Missouri Bill Guarantees Opt-Out Rights
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-bill-guarante…
Louisiana Test Security Problems Increase at New Orleans Schools
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2016/03/test_security_louisiana_…
New Jersey Schools Launch Public Relations Push to Slow Opt-Outs
http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/pr-campaign-aimed-at-low-stude…
New Mexico Governor Signs Bill Somewhat Reducing Testing
http://www.abqjournal.com/736398/abqnewsseeker/gov-martinez-signs-bill-r…
New York Cosmetic Changes Don’t Address Over-Testing Problem
http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-opinion/article/Create-system-with-less…
North Carolina Confessions of a Test Administrator
http://www.salisburypost.com/2016/03/06/larry-efird-confessions-of-a-tes…
Ohio Parent Says “Refuse The Tests”
http://www.twinsburgbulletin.com/opinion/2016/03/02/letter-writer-says-p…
Ohio Legislator Says “Ignore State Report Cards”
http://www.earlybirdpaper.com/best-thing-ignore-report-cards/
Oregon The Many Costs of Standardized Tests
http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/34127716-78/standardized-tests-have-…
Pennsylvania State Tests Are Not Worth the Time and Money
http://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/03/07/pssas-not-worth-time…
Pennsylvania Headed for Daily Standardized Testing?
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20160303_Letter__Heading_for_daily_…
Tennessee Delays Continue in Paper Test Replacement for Failed Computer Exam
http://tn.chalkbeat.org/2016/03/07/at-least-a-dozen-school-districts-sti…
Tennessee Excessive Testing is Hurting Our Children
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2016/3/8/319594/Excessive-Emphasis-On-Testin…
Texas Long History of Standardized Testing Overkill Sets Stage for Push Back
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/rigoro…
Utah Time to Say Farewell and Goodbye to State Testing
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649478/My-view-SAGE-testing-mdash-…
Washington Efforts Afoot to Limit Student Testing
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/education/article64495352.html
ACT/SAT Students Took a New Test, But It May Not Fix Old Problems
http://www.newsy.com/videos/students-took-a-new-sat-but-it-may-not-fix-a…
King University Becomes Test-Optional; Focuses Admissions on Merit, Not Test Scores
http://www.king.edu/news/testoptional_mar2016.aspx
ACT/SAT Database of Test-Optional Colleges and Universities
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/university/optional
Free Public Screening Rights With “Heal Our Schools” DVD
http://www.healourschools.org/orderdvdsetupscr.html
“Defies Measurement” — New Video on What Happens to Public Schools When the Wrong People Make Decisions
http://www.shineonpro.com/
Bald Piano Guy Sings “Wake Me Up When the Testing Ends”
https://www.facebook.com/baldpianoguy/videos/1516215565351491/