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Here’s this week’s news-and-views demonstrating, once again, the growing strength of assessment reformers in both the K-12 and university admissions arenas.
NationalFinal ESSA Regulations Give States a Bit More Control Over Testing and Accountability
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/11/ed_dept_releases_final_account.html
AlaskaState Faces No Penalties After Cancelling Exams
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/education/2016/11/24/alaska-faces-no-penalties-after-canceling-standardized-testing-earlier-this-year/
ArizonaTeachers Stress Student Growth, Not Just Test Scores
http://tucson.com/news/local/education/tucson-teachers-say-student-growth-not-just-test-scores-vital/article_df8032eb-3423-5f7b-b682-abd566317c57.html
ArkansasTest-Based Scholarship Rules Hurt Black Students Hardest
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/11/23/new-lottery-scholarship-rules-hit-black-students-hardest
CaliforniaState Won’t Have to Rank Schools Needing Help
https://edsource.org/2016/california-wont-have-to-rank-schools-needing-help/573345
FloridaTesting Students Into Oblivion
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2016/11/fl-testing-students-into-oblivion.html
GeorgiaFewer Tests Being Administered This Year
http://www.newtoncitizen.com/news/local/ncss-reviews-academic-assessments-fewer-tests-being-used-this-year/article_34d53d99-af82-5f79-8ee5-5faf4b37b373.html
IdahoState Board Votes to Eliminate Graduation Exam Requirement
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/state-board-high-school-students-shouldnt-required-pass-isat/
IndianaTest Scores Don’t Tell Full Story About Schools
http://www.gcdailyworld.com/story/2362235.html
Indiana Legislators Could Give Schools Another Reprieve From Flawed Scores’ Consequences
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/11/28/second-year-istep-protections/94356764/
LouisianaDo New Orleans Test Score Increase Indicate Real Learning Gains
http://www.livingindialogue.com/nola-test-score-increases-demonstrate-real-learning-gains/
Louisiana Principal Evaluation System Is Seriously Flawed
http://louisianaeducator.blogspot.com/2016/11/our-louisiana-school-principal.html
MassachusettsState May End Tie Between Test Scores and Teacher Ratings
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/23/state-may-scrap-teacher-ratings-tied-test-scores/FMn4OSFqbuVvYFGSgyX8YM/story.html
New JerseyWhy Civil Rights Groups Sued Over PARCC Grad Test Plan
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/commentary/groups-sued-state-because-parcc-plan-violates-existing-law/article_b9a665e9-cfcd-57d1-9c6f-84e1dfc548f2.html
New MexicoNew Federal Regulations Will Give State More Flexibility in Judging Schools and Teachers
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/new-federal-education-regulations-will-give-new-mexico-flexibility/article_bae91d69-a3cf-599e-9fd7-aa33d6861229.html
New YorkTest Scores De-emphasized to Diversify Gifted-and-Talented Admission
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/11/the-push-to-diversify-gifted-and-talented-programs/508415/
OhioLawmaker Wants State to Address Excessive Student Testing
http://www.journal-news.com/news/local-lawmaker-wants-excessive-testing-ohio-students-addressed/c2uakp2mZPi6lkTgVxxX8M/
South DakotaAccurately Assessing Standardized Testing
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/opinion/columns/4167879-accurately-assessing-standardized-testing
TexasBill Would Reduce Testing Mandate to Federal Minimum
https://therivardreport.com/a-few-more-education-bills-to-watch-in-the-2017-legislature-senate-edition/
West VirginiaSchool Report Card is “Naive and Limited” Way to Judge Educational Quality
http://www.reviewonline.com/news/local-news/2016/11/hcea-official-blasts-school-report-card/
InternationalShould Australian Schools Abolish Standardized Exams?
http://www.educatoronline.com.au/news/should-schools-abolish-standardised-testing-227656.aspx
University AdmissionsTest-Optional Movement Leaving ACT/SAT Behind
http://diverseeducation.com/article/87965/
University Admission George Washington U. Gets More Diverse After Ditching Test Mandate
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/11/22/george-washington-u-gets-more-diverse-after-ditching-admission-test-mandate/
University Admissions List of 900+ Test-Optional/Test-Flexible Colleges & Universities
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/university/optional
Worth ReadingTest Scores Are Poor Measure of Teacher Impacts on Students
http://hechingerreport.org/new-study-shows-variety-in-teachers-influences-on-kids-futures-and-how-poorly-we-measure-that/
Worth Reading The Dangers of Standardized Testing
http://www.teenink.com/opinion/school_college/article/932985/The-Dangers-of-Standardized-Testing/