Testing Resistance & Reform News: May 30 – June 5, 2018

The human impact from high-stakes standardized exams has often been ignored by mainstream media. Not this week! Check out the stories highlighting the real harm done to children, their families and educators by testing overkill.

NationalStates Take Small Steps Toward Assessment Reform Under ESSA
http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/state-assessment

ColoradoTest-Driven Education “Reform” Becomes Major Election Issue
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2018/05/31/how-education-reform-became-a-wedge-issue-among-colorado-democrats-this-election-year/

FloridaStudent Says High-Stakes Tests Can Be “A Blow to the Heart”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jLYaRZ7yA&feature=youtu.be

KentuckyPrincipal Explains Reasons Why He Was Suspended for Testing Irregularities
http://www.rcnky.com/articles/2018/05/31/newport-principal-suspended-over-test-irregularities

LouisianaThrow Out VAN Test-Based Teacher Evaluations for Same Reasons Texas Court Did
http://louisianaeducator.blogspot.com/2018/06/court-throws-out-vam-teacher-evaluation.html

MassachusettsStudents’ Futures Is Shot Because of Testing Hurdles
https://lesstestingmorelearning.tumblr.com/post/174244506069/story-20-aunt-my-nephews-future-was-shot

MichiganState Seeks Federal Waiver to Allow Alternative Assessments in Some Districts
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/05/state_wants_to_give_some_schoo.html

Michigan Focus on Test “Proficiency” Understates Academic Performance
https://www.bridgemi.com/guest-commentary/opinion-take-breath-michigan-schools-tests-scores-arent-bad-you-think

New JerseyHow to Fix PARCC Grad Test Manufactured Crisis
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/05/31/op-ed-time-to-fix-the-parcc-for-graduation-mess/

New MexicoParents Should Make Final Decision About Children Taking PARCC Test
https://www.ladailypost.com/content/shin-parcc-parents-have-final-say

New YorkParents and Educators Oppose Legislature’s Latest Teacher Evaluation Scheme
https://www.nysape.org/nysape-repeal-ed-transformation-act-appr-pr.html

New York Students Have Their Own Ideas About Standardized Tests
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Students-have-their-own-ideas-questions-about-12958101.php

New York Mayor Backs Overhaul of Test-Driven Selective High School Admission Process
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2018/06/02/mayor-bill-de-blasio-new-york-city-will-push-for-admissions-changes-at-elite-and-segregated-specialized-high-schools/

North Carolina78 Percent of Teachers Say Students Tested Too Much
http://abc11.com/education/78-percent-of-nc-teachers-say-students-are-tested-too-much/3546564/

PennsylvaniaThe Value of Good Assessments
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2018/05/testing-with-purpose.html

Pennsylvania State Senate Endorses Plan to Review Effectiveness of Standardized Tests
https://www.thepenn.org/news/state/senate-passes-legislation-by-ryan-aument-targeting-effectiveness-of-standardized/article_38b35e5e-350a-5fe2-91cf-04255fe658ae.html

TexasMore Scores Thrown Out Due to Computer Testing Crashes
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/staar/2018/06/01/texas-throws-even-staar-tests-crashing-computers

Texas Testing Focus Can Leave Parents Less Informed About Student Progress
https://www.tribtalk.org/2018/05/30/staar-testing-can-make-parents-less-informed-about-a-students-progress/

UtahStandardize Automobiles, Not Students
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2018/06/02/commentary-we-should-standardize-automobiles-not-students/

VirginiaSuperintendent Backs Away From Test-Based Teacher Evaluation System
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/06/05/richmond-superintendent-backs-away-from-controversial-teacher-evaluation-system-he-helped-create-in-d-c/

University AdmissionsSpreading the Word on Test-Optional, Holistic Policies
https://www.wpi.edu/news/spreading-word-test-optional-holistic-admissions

InternationalHigh-Stakes Exams Produces Irreparable Tragedy for Thousands of Indian Students
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-where-a-simple-exam-so-often-produces-irreparable-human-tragedy-1250031-2018-06-04

Worth ReadingTime to Change the Conservation About How to Improve Education
https://themerrowreport.com/2018/05/30/change-the-conversation/

Worth Reading Summer Cultural Enrichment for Wealthier Families Broadens Achievement Gaps
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2018/05/30/the-shadow-education-system-how-wealthier-students-benefit-from-art-music-and-theater-over-the-summer-while-poor-kids-miss-out/

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