Testing Resistance & Reform News: May 24 – 30, 2017

Across the country, the academic year is winding down. Many school districts have already closed for the summer. Yet, testing controversies remain as intense as ever with advocates for fewer standardized exams and lower stakes winning more victories. Remember that assessment reform allies can sign up to receive these free weekly news updates by clicking on:

https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup

CaliforniaState Seeks Non-Test Tool to Assess Alternative Schools
https://edsource.org/2017/state-board-rethinking-how-to-measure-performance-of-alternative-schools/582594

GeorgiaStruggles Go Beyond Test Scores at School Serving Impoverished Kids
http://news.wabe.org/post/1-low-performing-ga-school-struggles-go-beyond-test-scores

HawaiiTeachers Say State ESEA Plan Still Too Heavily Tied to Test Scores
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/education/essa-still-tied-to-test-scores/article_e18112c7-4e56-50f6-a745-20dd7a294d6d.html

IndianaState Will Allow Non-Test Paths to High School Graduation
http://www.batesvilleheraldtribune.com/news/local_news/indiana-eyes-more-paths-to-high-school-graduation/article_baffb076-7a54-5bb2-8f74-806bbf83d2d2.html

MarylandNew Law Slashes Number of Tests Students Take
http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2017/05/25/maryland-slashes-number-tests-students/345786001/

Maryland Testimony by FairTest in Favor of Testing Cap Legislation
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/fairtest-tells-maryland-legislators-cap-test-time

MassachusettsTeachers Fight World Largest Testing Company
https://www.baystateparent.com/2017/05/25/teachers-fight-the-worlds-largest-testing-company/

MichiganMore to Students Than Test Scores
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/05/28/letter-editor-more-students-than-test-scores/351674001/

New YorkStandardized Testing System Leaves Some Students in the Dust
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/life/2017/05/26/standardized-tests-benefit-some-leave-others-dust/343443001/

OhioLegislative Budget Would Allow Return of Pencil-and-Paper Testing
http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170524/ohio-schools-might-regain-paper-option-for-standardized-tests

PennsylvaniaBoard Passes Resolution Calling for Testing Reform
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/article152268017.html

TennesseeTest Scores Won’t Be Reported in Time to be Included on Report Cards
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/35504928/update-tnready-test-scores-wont-arrive-in-time-for-report-cards

TexasLawmakers Send Grad Test Reprieve Legislation to Governor
http://www.statesman.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/texas-lawmakers-approve-high-school-staar-reprieve-rejects-others/6kZAd3BPjlAiZD92niEONM/

Texas Court Finds Test-Based Teacher Evaluations Flawed
http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/opinion/2017/05/26/court-finds-teacher-evaluation-system-flawed/102219102/

VirginiaWhat Happens When Students Design Their Own Assessments?
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/24/what-happens-when-students-design-their-own.html

WashingtonLegislators Debate Suspending Grad Testing Requirement
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/testing-rules-stymie-lawmakers/

University AdmissionsSAT Test Preppery
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sat-test-preppery_us_5924cc28e4b0ed5eed13233d

Employment TestingWatch Out If You Are Not a White Man
https://www.revealnews.org/article/given-a-test-to-apply-for-a-job-watch-out-if-you-are-not-a-white-man/

Worth ReadingMandatory Grade Retention Programs Hurt Children
http://neatoday.org/2017/05/22/student-retention-laws/

Worth Reading Programs Try to “De-Stress” High-Stakes Testing
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/24/teaching-students-to-de-stress-over-testing.html

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