Testing Resistance & Reform News: March 28 – April 3, 2018

April is the peak month for test-obsessed classrooms in many parts of the country — simultaneously the opt-out movement and legislative assessment reform proposals are surging, as this week’s rich collection of news clips demonstrates. Note that 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores for Mathematics and Reading are due to be released on Tuesday morning April 10. Expect a barrage of media coverage focused on whether decades of test-and-punish policies have had any meaningful impact on academic performance.

National The Pre-Spinning of NAEP Results
https://jaypgreene.com/2018/04/02/the-pre-spinning-of-naep-results/

National Flawed Benchmarks Used to Set “Proficiency” Levels
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb18/vol75/num05/The-Problem-with-%C2%A3Proficient%C2%A3.aspx

Arizona What Tests Don’t Tell Us
https://azbigmedia.com/5-things-parents-should-know-about-end-of-year-testing/

Colorado Too Much Testing, Too Little Money Create Perfect Storm
http://www.journal-advocate.com/sterling-columnists/ci_31770032/unfunded-mandates-science-and-educational-testing

Florida 2018 Opt-Out Tool Box
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/opt-out-toolbox/
Florida Parents React to Proposed Changes to Passing Scores on Grad Test Alternatives
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/2018/03/30/passing-scores-on-floridas-alternate-algebra-10th-grade-reading-tests-about-to-rise/

Hawaii Hearing on Bill to Limit Standardized Testing
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018/03/29/hawaii-news/hearing-today-on-bill-that-would-limit-standardized-tests/

Louisiana State Super Raises Questions About Accuracy of Upcoming NAEP Computer Test Scores
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2018/03/30/the-national-test-of-students-progress-has-gone-digital-a-state-leader-is-raising-questions-about-what-that-means/

Maryland District Concerned About State’s New School Accountability Formula
https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/education/schools/county-uncertain-about-state-s-school-accountability-plan/article_9da558df-e92b-5961-854a-979c53561875.html

Mississippi Low-Performing Districts Tests Students More
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2018/apr/02/report-low-performing-districts-test-students-more/

New Mexico Teacher Bonuses Should Not Be Based on Student Test Scores
https://www.abqjournal.com/1153210/201718-exemplary-teachers-will-get-bonuses.html

New York Opt-out Movement Offers Vision for Public Education
http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/28/another-voice-opt-out-movement-offers-a-vision-for-public-education/
New York Children Should Not be a Number: 2018 Opt-Out Guide
http://www.nystoptesting.com/2018/03/2018-opt-out-letter.html

Ohio What’s Wrong with Our Schools: Too Much Testing
http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/20180327/letter-to-editor-its-easy-to-see-what-is-wrong-with-our-schools

Oregon State Testing Notice for Parents Includes Opt-Out Form
http://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/assessment/Documents/Opt-Out%20Form%202017-18.pdf

Tennessee Proposal Would Reduce Weight of Tests on Students’ Grades
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2018/03/28/how-much-tnready-affects-final-grades-is-likely-to-change-again-but-just-for-tennessees-youngest-students/
Tennessee Parents Concerned About Testing of Special Needs Children
http://wreg.com/2018/03/27/shelby-county-parents-express-concerns-about-tnready-test/

Texas Standardized Tests Hold Back Low-Income Students
https://www.mystatesman.com/news/opinion/commentary-how-texas-standardized-tests-hold-back-low-income-students/ra6Etu8IVSEGRxawWE70gM/
Texas Court Allows Lawsuit Against State Test to Proceed
https://www.mystatesman.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/texas-court-upholds-ruling-allow-staar-lawsuit-proceed/ib0I6dm4WQMmfpX3nVbczM/

Utah State Issues Guidance for Compliance with Opt-Out Law
https://www.utahnsagainstcommoncore.com/opt-out-guiding-document/#content

Virginia School Replaces Some State Tests with Performance Based Assessments
https://www.breezejmu.org/news/rockingham-sols-to-be-replaced-by-performance-based-tests/article_65ee8aec-32ef-11e8-b801-e3e89919ef39.html

International Millions of Indian Students Forced to Retake Exam After Test Questions Leaked
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/millions-of-indian-students-to-resit-exam-after-test-leaked-10087588
International United Kingdom Teachers Say Schools Have Become Testing Factories
https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/watch-government-has-turned-our-classrooms-testing-and-exam

University Test-Optional Applicants on Par Academically with Other Students And More Diverse
https://www.gwhatchet.com/2018/04/02/test-optional-applicants-on-par-academically-with-other-students-officials-say/

Worth Reading It’s Time to Start Measuring What Really Matters
https://themerrowreport.com/2018/03/28/whats-the-first-step/
Worth Reading Standardized Testing Doesn’t Measure Understanding
https://aleteia.org/2018/03/28/dont-hang-your-hopes-on-your-childs-sat-score/

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