Testing Resistance & Reform News: March 27 – April 2, 2019

This is peak testing season for both public schools and college admissions, making it nearly impossible to keep up with all the news. FairTest.org is seeing a sharp spike in visitors looking for information about opting out from state-mandated K-12 standardized exams (http://www.fairtest.org/get-involved/opting-out) and applying to ACT/SAT-optional colleges (http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional)

Check out those links and the following stories to see the power of the grassroots assessment reform movement:

Arizona Another Upheaval of State Testing Policy
https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/education/changes-coming-to-how-the-district-tests-students/article_348a57b2-fe33-59d9-a32d-35c1747a11fd.html

California Another Push to Allow ACT/SAT as State High School Exam Amidst Rising Criticism of Tests
https://edsource.org/2019/another-push-to-expand-use-of-sat-in-california-amid-criticism-of-test/610556

Florida New Bills Propose Major Changes in Florida’s Teacher Certification Exam Process
https://www.wtxl.com/features/insiders/new-bill-proposes-major-changes-to-floridas-teacher-certification-process

Illinois Hold Board of Ed Accountable for Wasting Millions on Testing
https://www.lincolncourier.com/opinion/20190330/letter-make-isbe-accountable-on-standardized-tests

Indiana Lawmakers Back Away From Requiring Citizenship Test for High School Graduation
https://www.wral.com/indiana-lawmakers-back-away-from-mandating-citizenship-test/18296084/

Iowa School Board Members Try Out New Computerized State Test
https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/as-waterloo-schools-prepare-for-new-statewide-tests-board-members/article_c7e88a4d-2d43-5caa-8276-9d95a181eea7.html

Kentucky Hundreds of Test Security Violations Reported, Scores Lowered in 88 Cases
https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article225505345.html

Maryland State Seeks to Delay Implementation of Science Graduation Test
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-science-test20190326-story.html
Maryland Free Test Prep Is Good for Testing Companies, Not Students
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-free-test-prep-letter-20190401-story.html

Michigan Lame Duck Legislature’s School Grading Plan Faces Challenge
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/education/2019/03/26/officials-statewide-f-school-rating-conflicts-federal-law/3276098002/

Nevada Threat of Mass Third Grade Retention Looms
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/threat-of-mass-retention-looms-large-over-nevadas-ambitious-read-by-grade-3-program

New York Testing Reform Advocates Blast Pressure Against Students, Families Who Opt Out
https://www.nysape.org/nysape-pr-opt-out-scare-tactics.html
New York Parents Queried on Selective High School Entrance Criteria
https://www.norwoodnews.org/id=28126&story=inquiring-photographer-specialized-high-school-test-debate/

North Carolina Bill to Cut Testing Time Advances
https://www.wral.com/bills-to-cut-k-12-testing-challenge-curriculum-materials-advance-in-house/18285803/
North Carolina Parents Say Standardized Exams Are “Out of Control”
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/south-carolina/article228061084.html

Ohio Are State Tests “Educational Malpractice”?
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/state-tests-educational-malpractice-holding-schools-accountable/WOhdpUv2SQaLU2H64ujBvJ/

Tennessee Contingency Planning for Another Computer Testing Failure
https://dailymemphian.com/article/4105/Schwinn-faces-critical-decisions-on-TNReady-online-achievement-testing

Texas Legislature Plans Audit of Controversial State Exam
https://www.statesman.com/news/20190328/texas-house-seeks-to-put-staar-to-test
Texas Teachers Urged to Mobilize Against State Test
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/04/01/texas-teachers-we-must-mobilize-against-staar-testing
Texas Principal Charged with Test Score Manipulation for Second Time
https://texasmonitor.org/el-paso-principal-involved-in-test-score-corruption-allegations-for-second-time/

International PISA Exam Hysteria Filters Down to Schools
https://www.tes.com/news/it-ridiculous-pisa-now-making-teachers-anxious

University Admissions Upswing in Schools Dropping ACT/SAT Exam Requirements
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2019/04/01/more-colleges-go-test-optional-admissions
Test-Optional Policy Adopted by University of San Francisco
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-of-san-francisco-makes-standardized-testing-optional-for-undergraduate-admission-300819837.html
University Admissions California Lawmakers Propose Sweeping Admissions Reforms in Wake of Scandal
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/03/28/california-lawmakers-propose-sweeping-college-admision-reforms/

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education 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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