Testing Resistance & Reform News: November 11 – 17, 2020

More than 60% of public school parents support cancelling K-12 standardized exams scheduled for this spring. Newly published survey data from the University of Southern California “Understanding America Study” show that sentiment for cancelling this academic year’s required tests has been growing rapidly as the pandemic has shut down many classrooms. Opposition to administering standardized exams is consistent across all racial and income groups. Not surprisingly, testing advocates are trying to twist the data into an argument for continuing testing mandates. But the numbers are crystal clear: parents want Spring 2021 tests cancelled (so do most educators, as many of this week’s other clips show.)
https://www.the74million.org/article/silver-polikoff-getting-testy-about-testing-k-12-parents-support-canceling-standardized-testing-this-spring-that-might-not-be-a-good-idea/

National To Test or Not to Test: Big Decision Awaits Biden’s Education Secretary
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/12/21562628/testing-schools-biden-education-secretary
National Corona Virus Tests Federal Education Law’s Assessment and Accountability Requirements
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/11/coronavirus-every-student-succeeds-act-test.html
National What President-Elect Biden’s Education Transition Team Tells Us About His Agenda . . . and What It Doesn’t
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/11/12/what-bidens-new-education-transition-team-tells-us-about-his-agenda-what-it-doesnt/

Multiple States Education Policy Makers Try to Figure Out Assessment and Accountability in Pandemic Interrupted School Year
https://www.educationdive.com/news/fast-forward-states-accountability-changes-may-impact-school-designations/588261/

Florida Academic Testing During Pandemic Raises Parents’ Concerns
https://www.wflx.com/2020/11/13/fsa-testing-during-pandemic-has-some-parents-concerned/

Indiana State School Board Seeks Feedback on Overhauling Accountability Model
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/education/state-board-seeking-feedback-on-changes-to-school-accountability-model/article_9c7e1cf6-93d0-5a84-b9c3-2a7c9d4eb247.html

Illinois New Data Reveals Massive School Funding Opportunity Gap
https://truthout.org/articles/new-data-lays-bare-massive-inequalities-between-schools-within-same-district/

Massachusetts Students Should Focus on Civics Projects Instead of Standardized Tests
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/how-about-a-civics-project-instead-of-another-mcas-test/
Massachusetts School Board Supports Petition to Suspend State Exams
https://www.itemlive.com/2020/11/16/lynn-schools-look-to-suspend-mcas/

Michigan School Officials Talk About Difficulties of Academic Testing Under COVID-19 Conditions
https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/Laker-School-officials-talk-testing-during-a-15725728.php

North Carolina Address Students Social and Emotional Needs to Promote Academic Success
https://www.ednc.org/perspective-serving-students-critical-social-and-emotional-needs-to-assure-success/

Pennsylvania Anti-Racism Author Criticizes Gatekeeping Tests
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/black-people-must-overcome-fear-to-fight-racism-author-says/article_8ad54d55-c011-5461-9e53-4c2f2016f9ca.html

Texas Officials Seek Federal Testing Waiver, More State Flexibility
https://theparisnews.com/free/article_4b642b94-26d2-11eb-be61-47cd936849dd.html
Texas Teachers Call for STAAR Testing Moratorium
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/atpe-pushing-for-staar-test-to-be-waived-amid-covid-19-pandemic
Texas Board of Education Members Call on Governor to Cancel Spring 2021 Standardized Exams
https://www.themonitor.com/2020/11/14/valley-education-officials-push-end-staar-testing/

University Admissions ACT/SAT Fixation Is Cause for Applications Plunge at Florida State Universities
https://www.forbes.com/sites/akilbello/2020/11/16/why-applications-are-plummeting-at-floridas-state-universities/?sh=14c7fe3d7422

Worth Reading Value-Added Teacher Assessments Strongly Influenced by Student Poverty, Other Non-Classroom Factors
http://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2020/11/teacher-quality-scores-change-depending.html
Worth Reading Educators Speak Out on Impact of Teacher Evaluations
https://networkforpubliceducation.org/6468/

Bob Schaeffer, interim Executive 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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