Testing Resistance & Reform News: November 8 – 14, 2017

Week by week, grassroots assessment reform campaigns grow ever stronger, winning more reductions in standardized exam misuse and overuse by states and cities. Demonstrating the depth of support for the movement, new governors elected this month in New Jersey and Virginia both advocated an overhaul of high-stakes testing policies. Remember that past issues of these news updates are archived at:https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/news/other

NationalWhat November 7 State Election Results Mean for Education Policy
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2017/11/state_election_roundup.html

ArizonaSchool Grading System is a Turkey with Money Attached
https://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2017/11/08/state-grades-are-all-about-the-as-and-fs

District of ColumbiaTest-Driven “Reform” Has Been a Total Failure
https://themerrowreport.com/2017/11/11/the-d-c-school-reform-fiasco-a-complete-history/

FloridaBoard Says Don’t Waste Teaching Time on Tests
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/2017/11/07/dont-waste-teaching-time-on-tests-pasco-school-board-says/

Florida School Libraries Become Mere Testing Site
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/opinion/school-libraries-now-mere-testing-sites/VFljj6nRtyKjuS7Rw3HolJ/

IllinoisState Report Card Not an Accurate Reflection of School Quality
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/state-report-card-not-accurate-reflection-of-district-supt-says/

IndianaState May End Graduation Test Requirement
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2017/11/07/dreaded-graduation-exams-out-sat-indiana-high-school-students/839944001/

IowaStudent Feedback on School Climate Part of ESSA Plan
https://www.districtadministration.com/article/iowa-include-student-feedback-essa-school-accountability

MassachusettsState Test Has Done Nothing to Improve School Quality
http://baystatebanner.com/news/2017/nov/09/mcas-test-has-done-nothing-improve-school-quality/

Massachusetts Superintendents Push Back Against Testing Overkill
http://www.fox25boston.com/news/mcas-test-backlash-has-local-superintendent-taking-new-approach/644744104

MichiganWriting Exam Requirement Dropped to Reduce Testing Time
http://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/michigan-shortening-school-assessment-tests-reducing-writing

North CarolinaTeacher Shares Confusing “Value-Added” Evaluations
http://vamboozled.com/a-north-carolina-teachers-guest-post-on-hisher-evaas-scores/

South CarolinaScores Delayed Due to Technical Issues with Online Test
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/36809109/state-act-scores-delayed-for-many-due-to-technical-issues-with-online-test

South Carolina Vendor Should Take Responsibility for Testing Failures
http://www.indexjournal.com/news/state-act-should-take-responsibility-for-testing-failures/article_893649c0-05e3-5e2a-803d-4a48806824a9.html

TennesseeState Still Working to Address Test Administration Problems
http://wjhl.com/2017/11/09/state-working-to-resolve-tn-ready-issues/

TexasHow Much Does Testing Really Cost?
http://www.teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2017/11/08/36-13-4-billion-dollars-a-year-on-tests/

UtahProfessional Responsibilities of Educators Should Include Assessment
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865692386/Op-ed-What-are-the-professional-responsibilities-of-teachers.html

WisconsinTest Transparency, Opt-Out Process Clarified in Assembly-Passed Bill
http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2017/11/test-transparency-for-k-12-students-boosted-under-assembly-approved-bill

University AdmissionEverything You Wanted to Know About Test-Optional Colleges
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/test-optional-schools-what-to-know

University Admission FairTest Database of 997 Test-Optional and Test-Flexible 4-Year Schools
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/university/optional

Worth ReadingBetter Tests Don’t Lead to Better Teaching
http://hechingerreport.org/better-tests-dont-lead-better-teaching-study-finds/

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 fax-(239) 395-6779
mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-http://www.fairtest.org

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