More assessment reform progress to report with Pennsylvania about to roll back its high school exit test and Indiana offering graduation pathways that do not rely on testing. But, there are still many stories about the negative impacts of testing overkill, particularly the damage done to minority and low-income children.
Arizona Educators Blast “A to F” School Grading Scheme
https://silverbelt.com/article/an-open-letter-to-the-state-board-of-education-and-the-arizona-department-of-education
California Huge State Test Opt-Out Rate in Palo Alto Public Schools
https://palyvoice.com/143933/news/school-board-dismayed-by-low-caaspp-participation/
Georgia Should The State Go Back to the Drawing Board on Testing
https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/going-back-the-drawing-board-testing-the-right-answer/5EUTAGJHeZVHGHEVs82wvK/
Georgia “One Child Left Behind” Documentary on Atlanta Cheating Scandal
https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/new-aps-cheating-scandal-doc-one-child-left-behind-coming-out/rHrSL68XCKniJBiiLzFcKI/
Indiana New Graduation “Pathways” Focus on College, Career Readiness Not Testing
https://duboiscountyherald.com/b/pathways-put-focus-on-career-not-istep
Massachusetts Parents, Civil Rights Leaders, Education Advocates Agree: Exam Schools Must Go
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/is-the-test-for-boston-e2-80-99s-exam-schools-receiving-a-failing-grade/ar-BBOaGZ9
Massachusetts State Testing Took the Thrill Out of Teaching Science
https://lesstestingmorelearning.tumblr.com/post/178926250334/story-23-teacher-mcas-took-the-thrill-out-of
Michigan Large Numbers of Minority Kids Face Test-Based Grade Retention
https://www.politicscentral.org/report-large-number-of-minority-kids-in-michigan-face-flunking-3rd-grade-being-held-back/
Mississippi Controversial Letter Grades for Schools Approved by State Board
https://apnews.com/453e5e50166949c3ba1fe73bc0766506
Missouri Schools Frustrated by Long Delay in Receiving Scores From Last Spring’s Tests
http://www.kcur.org/post/missouri-school-districts-still-dont-know-how-students-did-new-math-and-english-tests
New York Moratorium on Linking Student Test Scores to Teacher Evaluation May Be Extended
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-Education-Commissioner-says-test-moratorium-13297254.php
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Embrace Alternatives to High-Stakes Exams for Diplomas
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/high_stakes_graduation_exams_pa.html
Pennsylvania Governor to Sign Bill to Reduce High-Stakes Testing
https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-sign-bill-reduce-high-stakes-testing/
South Carolina Frequent Changes in State Tests Make Tracking Progress Hard
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-schools-keep-changing-tests-making-it-tough-to-track/article_bdffda24-c804-11e8-939b-ebadc7cd36dd.html
Texas Schools Receiving Failing State Grades Serve Mostly Low-Income Students
http://www.hppr.org/post/most-texas-schools-receiving-failing-grade-serve-mostly-low-income-students
International United Kingdom School Inspectors Will Ditch Exam Results as Mark of Success to Reduce Testing Pressures
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/oct/11/ofsted-to-ditch-using-exam-results-as-mark-of-success-amanda-spielman
University Admissions More Colleges Scrapping ACT/SAT Testing Requirements
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/local-colleges-scrapping-sat-act-requirement-20181013.html
Worth Reading What Happens When States Un-standardize Tests
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/10/11/what-happens-when-state-un-standardize-tests.html
Worth Reading Grade Retention Increases Drop Outs, Hurts Kids
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2018/10/11/holding-middle-schoolers-back-causes-dropout-rates-to-spike/