Testing Resistance & Reform News: May 11 – 17, 2016

With spring testing winding down in many schools after another trouble-filled season, parents, educators and community activists are pressuring policy makers to focus on overhauling state assessment systems using the increased flexibility possible under the new, federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

National Congressional Leaders Urge Full Stakeholder Participation in ESSA Implementation
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/05/murray_scott_urge_b…

California Board of Ed Tries to Move Away From Test-Based Accountability
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_california/2016/05/californias_continu…

Colorado State Officials Gather Input About ESSA Implementation
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/05/11/colorado-officials-hit-the-…

Florida State Seeks Public Views on Accountability Changes Under ESSA
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/florida-department-of-education-…

Georgia Many State Tests Voided Due to Computer Administration Failures
http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/8385-Georgia-Milestones-test…
Georgia State Board of Education Earns an “F” for Test Failures
http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/8380-OPINION-Test-failure-gi…

Indiana Test Review Panel Head Says Exam is “Just Too Long”
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160514/news/305149960/
Indiana Some Questions About State Test Replacement
http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/05/15/5-questions-ist…

Kentucky State Testing History is Reason for Caution
http://www.dawsonspringsprogress.com/opinion/article_fbba0b30-172d-11e6-…

Maryland State Commission Focuses on Changing Testing Structure
http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/maryland-schools-testing-commission-foc…

Massachusetts Advocate of Testing Moratorium Reelected to Head State Teachers Union
http://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/fiery-teachers-union-president…

Missouri Task Force Urges Test Score De-emphasis for School Accreditation
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/de-emphasize-test-scores-school-accr…

Nevada Students, Parents Frustrated With State Exit Exam Policy
http://www.ktnv.com/news/education/students-parents-frustrated-with-dist…

New Jersey Legal Settlement Removes Grad Test Requirement
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/settlement-parcc-test-not-required-…
New Jersey PARCC Tests All About Profits
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/05/15/parcc-te…

New York Many Opt Out of Common Core Tests
http://www.victorpost.com/article/20160512/NEWS/160519815
New York Think Tank Considers Alternatives to Test Scores in New Accountability Plan
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Think-tank-formed-to-create-new-…
New York Success Academy, NYC’s Largest Charter, May Be Cheating on Tests
http://www.alternet.org/education/teachers-new-york-citys-biggest-charte…

Ohio Education Association Says Test Scores Weighed Too Heavily in Teacher Evaluation
http://wksu.org/post/ohio-education-association-says-test-scores-weigh-t…

Oklahoma School A-F Grades Strongly Linked to District Poverty
http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5498104?access=3d1301de05a5f8391da096e6…

Texas Educators Say Schools Should Not be Evaluated by Scores From Flawed Tests
http://kdhnews.com/news/education/educators-texas-schools-shouldn-t-be-r…

Utah Opting Out is On the Rise
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865653999/Opting-out-of-SAGE-test-is-…

Virginia Horror Stories From State Testing
http://www.roanoke.com/life/columns_and_blogs/columns/dadline/dadline-ho…

Washington State Wrong for District to Punish Student for Refusing to Take Test
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160514/OPINION03/160519525/Wrong-for-…
Washington Focus on Testing Takes Passion Out of Learning

West Virginia School Board Sees Opposition to A-F School Grading
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160514/state-school-board-sees-oppos…

Wisconsin State Signs Testing Contract with Firm Run by Former Legislative Leader
http://journaltimes.com/news/state-and-regional/catching-up-state-signed…
Wisconsin State Changes Test for Second Year in a Row
http://www.wpr.org/wisconsins-second-new-state-test-2-years-rolls-out-qu…

ACT/SAT Test Makers Quarrel Over Meaning of Scores
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/05/16/act-and-college-board-off…

ACT/SAT Northland College Adopts Test-Optional Admissions
https://www.northland.edu/news/northland-college-implements-test-optiona…

International Canadian Union Urges Teachers to Opt Own Kids Out of Standardized Tests
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/ontario-teachers-urged-to-wi…

Worth Reading Student Poverty Isn’t an Excuse, It’s a Barrier
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/05/11/student-poverty-isnt-an-excuse-its-a.html

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