Testing Resistance & Reform News: October 24 – 30, 2018

Grassroots pressure to overhaul testing intensifies as the mid-term elections draw near. Be prepared to start meeting with newly elected policy-makers to educate them about your agenda before the year-end holidays.

You can help strengthen the national assessment reform movement right now by contributing to FairTest’s upcoming “Heroes in Education” fundraiser honoring retiring Executive Director Monty Neill and welcoming new ED Andre Green–http://www.fairtest.org/join-fairtest-celebrating-monty-neill-and-welcomin

California Is the Real Problem the Tests, Not the Students
https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/california-forum/article220563560.html

Connecticut Requiring SAT as Part of State Assessment System Wastes Money and Hurts Education
https://reallearningct.com/2018/10/29/the-sat-a-pricey-horse-and-buggy/

Florida School Board Candidate Runs Against High-Stakes Testing
https://www.theledger.com/news/20181027/sabin-says-testing-should-be-appropriate-for-developmental-level

Massachusetts Why We Should Eliminate the Graduation Test Requirement
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/globelocal/2018/10/25/should-massachusetts-away-with-mcas-graduation-requirement/7HnrjRjoe58n6LDTn3S81K/story.html
Massachusetts Selective High School Entrance Exam May Not Be Up to the Test
https://www.wgbh.org/news/education/2018/10/23/entrance-exam-used-by-boston-latin-may-not-be-up-to-the-test

Missouri 2017 Test Results Delayed as State Tries to Figure Out How to Score Them
http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/sjsd-waiting-as-state-delays-map-test-results/article_efe6379f-41de-5b5c-915b-151d2b3514f3.html

New Jersey Court Hears Lawsuit Challenging Graduation Test
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/10/29/state-superior-court-hears-arguments-in-lawsuit-over-school-testing/

New York Reject Proposals to Punish Schools When Parents Opt Out
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/e09cbcd6319ef20253b22b2fc21a6dd7cc7fedb0

North Carolina A Surprising Way to Fix Schools: Clean the Air
https://www.independenttribune.com/community/a-surprising-way-to-fix-our-schools/article_c97a18e4-d946-11e8-baee-bb660d7439c4.html

Oregon Students Who Opted Out on State Tests Counted as Zeros on School Report Cards
https://kval.com/news/local/students-who-opt-out-of-smarter-balanced-tests-counted-as-zeros-on-school-report-cards

Pennsylvania Keystone Exams: The Monster We Refuse to Let Die
https://gadflyonthewallblog.com/2018/10/22/pennsylvanias-keystone-exam-the-monster-we-refuse-to-let-die/

Tennessee Lame Duck Governor Announces More Changes in Attempt to Save Troubled State Test
https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/oct/24/changes-tnready-plans/481724/

Texas Test-Based School Ratings Closely Tied to Family Income of Students
https://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/School-ratings-and-income-closely-tied-in-Bexar-13340184.php

Utah Public Hearing on Opt-Out Rules
https://whatiscommoncore.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/show-up-time-ut-public-hearing-on-thursday-concerning-test-opt-outs-v-course-requirements/

Washington Circumstances Matter When Evaluating Test Scores
https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/saturday-soapbox-circumstances-matter-when-evaluating-test-scores/article_b3f11e96-d874-11e8-9529-77a7f00cddba.html

University Admissions The Future of College Admissions Exams
https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2018-10-26/the-new-opt-out-movement-colleges-make-entrance-exams-optional
University Admissions GRE Is Poor Predictor of STEM Graduate Program Success
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2018/10/30/study-raises-questions-about-use-gre-stem-doctoral-admissions

International Canada Politicians Should be Forced to Pass the Tests They Plan to Impose
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-globe-editorial-you-know-who-needs-to-take-a-math-test-politicians/

Worth Reading Examining the Myth of Accountability, High-Stakes Testing, and the Achievement Gap
https://cloakinginequity.com/2018/10/26/examining-the-myth-of-accountability-high-stakes-testing-and-the-achievement-gap/

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education 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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