Testing Resistance & Reform News: March 21 – 27, 2018

Entering the peak weeks of school testing season, pressure from students, educators and community leaders for genuine assessment reform is accelerating as more people recognize how much classroom learning time is undermined by standardized exam overkill.

Multiple StatesDid Changed Test Questions Cause Decline in Smarter Balanced Test Scores
https://jaypgreene.com/2018/03/26/did-changed-test-questions-cause-national-decline-in-smarter-balanced-scores/

ColoradoTesting Fixation Rushes Students Past Real Learning
https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/2018/03/25/opinion-start-school-later-and-let-learners-take-their-time/445465002/

FloridaState Uses “Mumbo-Jumbo” Calculation to Select “High-Impact Teachers”
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-lauren-ritchie-high-impact-teachers-meaningless-20180322-story.html

HawaiiTeachers Push to Reduce Standardized Testing
http://www.khon2.com/news/local-news/teachers-push-to-reduce-standardized-testing-for-hawaii-public-schools/1064609297

IllinoisTeachers. Parents and Community Push Back Against Testing
https://www.ctunet.com/media/chicago-union-teacher/downloadable-pdf/Mar-Apr-2018-CUT-FINAL_reduced.pdf
— see esp. pp 10-11

IndianaPressure From Educators Blocks Bad School Grading Plan
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/20180323/making-the-grade

IndianaIs the Thinking Behind ISTEP Testing Fair?
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/opinion/columns/shane-phipps-column-is-the-thinking-behind-istep-testing-really/article_e843cf9e-8c03-5ded-9647-e0d0a396e9f8.html

MississippiEducators, Lawmakers Push for Move Away From State Testing
http://www.wdam.com/story/37798622/educators-and-lawmakers-push-for-a-move-away-from-state-testing

NewYorkOpt-Out Leader Explains the True Costs of the Tests
https://vimeo.com/261373078/e139f7bab6

New York Petition to End Test-Based Teacher Evaluation
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/repeal-nys-teacher-evaluatio

North CarolinaTiming of Supplemental Nutrition Benefits Affects Test Scores
https://sanford.duke.edu/articles/timing-snap-benefit-affects-children%E2%80%99s-test-grades

OhioLet Real People, NotComputers, Grade Writing Tests
http://www.theintelligencer.net/opinion/editorials/2018/03/let-real-people-grade-the-tests/

Ohio State Senate Agrees to Eliminate Use of “Value-Added” Score to Evaluate Teachers
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/03/ohio_senate_backs_change_in_te.html

OregonOppose Mono-culture of School Testing
http://www.bendbulletin.com/opinion/6106779-151/letters

PennsylvaniaTeachers Must Speak Out Against Standardized Tests
https://gadflyonthewallblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/the-lone-voice-of-dissent-against-standardized-testing/

TennesseeBill Would Lower State Test Weight on Student Grades
http://www.lebanondemocrat.com/Education/2018/03/26/Bill-could-lower-TN-Ready-weight-on-student-grades.html

UtahTesting Season is the Real March “Madness”
https://news.hjnews.com/logan_hj/one-teacher-s-take-on-testing-and-other-grade-school/article_e9019fe1-f123-5950-8a3e-e875bc117c91.html

WashingtonNew School Report Cards Show Many Factor Beyond Test Scores
http://www.krem.com/article/news/local/northwest/new-database-helps-wash-parents-keep-track-of-their-childs-schools/293-530454696

Worth ReadingNew Book by Sir Ken Robinson: You Can Change the System
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-03-21-sir-ken-robinson-s-next-act-you-are-the-system-and-you-can-change-education

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 fax-(239) 395-6779
mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org

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