From New York to California and Alaska to Florida, here’s this week’s news from around the U.S. about the surging grassroots assessment reform. Remember that friends and allies can sign up for these free updates athttps://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/weekly-news-signup
AlaskaNew Law Allows Parents to Opt Children Out of Standardized Exams
http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2016/10/now-in-effect-new-alaska-law-taking-first-step-against-common-core/
ArkansasCommissioner Seeks Input on New Directions for Accountability
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2016/oct/26/commissioner-asks-for-input-on-school-a/
CaliforniaState Rejects Feds Push to Administer Old Science Tests
https://edsource.org/2016/california-officials-reject-federal-governments-push-to-administer-old-science-tests/571171
California Strengths and Weaknesses of New District Accountability Plan
https://edsource.org/2016/finally-districts-accountability-plans-may-be-easier-to-read-and-use/571441
ConnecticutTempers Flare Over Using Student Scores to Evaluate Teachers
http://ctmirror.org/2016/10/25/grading-teachers-tempers-flare-over-use-of-student-test-scores/
Connecticut Reader Responds to Standardized Test Scores
http://woodbridgetownnews.com/letter-reader-responds-standardized-test-scores/
FloridaEducators Speak Out on Test-Based Grade Retention
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/teachers-perspectives-on-3rd-grade-retention-in-seminole/
Florida Music Teacher Faces Firing for Test Administration Problems
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/tampa-teacher-facing-firing-describes-year-end-music-test-as-her-worst/2300320
GeorgiaDistricts Request to Replace State Grade School Testing Denied
http://www.newtoncitizen.com/news/school/ncss-request-for-alternative-testing-denied/article_e64c4fda-1d8c-56fa-a462-f4c48282e7d4.html
IllinoisStrong Link Between Poverty and Tests Scores Continues
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161031/news/161039759/
IndianaSchool Leaders Demand Replacement of State Test
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/10/26/school-leaders-demand-action-istep-replacement/92779862/
Indiana Superintendents’ Letter
http://www.thehoosiertopics.com/news/2016-11-01/Columns/Questioning_results_of_ISTEP.html
MichiganVoters Overwhelmingly Oppose Closing Schools Based on Test Scores
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/voters_overwhelmingly_oppose_c.html
New JerseyPARCC Requirements Unfair, Premature
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/10/26/parcc-requirements-unfair-premature/92765760/
New Jersey Board Decries PARCC Grad Test Bar
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_2b3dcd5a-9f7e-11e6-b4b8-b3cde1f67932.html
New Jersey More Students Refused PARCC Tests in 2016
http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/fewer-millburn-high-school-students-take-n-j-standardized-test-in-2016-1.1682881
New MexicoTrial Date Set in Lawsuit Against Teacher Evaluation System
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/unions-finally-get-trial-date-in-state-s-maligned-teacher/article_70205dd3-69ab-5f21-95c8-ffaad8c2e046.html
New YorkSelective Arts High School Should Let Applicants Demonstrate Talents, Not Test Scores
http://citylimits.org/2016/10/28/cityviews-citys-arts-high-schools-must-let-kids-demonstrate-talent-rather-than-rely-on-tests/
OhioLocal School Board Opposes State-Mandated Testing
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-education/northmont-school-board-opposes-state-testing/yCBgdrLjCJDKHQOaKDB9TM/
Ohio New Graduation Testing Requirements Under Fire
http://madison-press.com/news/188582/new-graduation-requirements-under-fire
OklahomaTulsa Super Says State A-to-F School Grades Deeply Flawed
http://www.newson6.com/story/33499362/tps-superintendent-state-a-f-report-cards-deeply-flawed
Oklahoma Analysis Shows Strong Correlation Between School Ratings and Student Poverty
http://kosu.org/post/analysis-shows-correlation-between-poverty-and-low-performing-schools
PennsylvaniaError Correction Changes Score Reports of 625 Schools
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/10/error_is_fixed_in_school_repor.html#incart_river_index
Pennsylvania House Approves Bill Allowing Grad Test Flexibility for Vocational Education Students
http://www.tribdem.com/news/house-approves-bill-giving-test-options-to-vocational-students/article_c4d3421e-9f1b-11e6-ad9c-938167b94e1c.html
TennesseeDistrict to Reconsider Teacher Evaluation System
http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2016/10/31/knox-schools-reconsider-teacher-evalulation-system/93079982/
TexasEl Paso Test Cheating Trial Testimony
http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/education/episd/2016/10/25/ex-episd-official-gina-oaxaca-denies-scam-role/92731612/
Texas State Seeks Input on New Federal Education Law But Restrictions Linger
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/State-seeks-input-on-new-eduction-law-but-10423894.php
UtahState’s School Grading System Makes Everything Worse
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4506407-155/editorial-utahs-system-of-grading-schools
WyomingParents Across America Comments on State ESSA Implementation
http://parentsacrossamerica.org/paa-comments-essa-wyoming-community-roundtable/
ACT/SATCollege Admissions Process Unfairly Favors Higher-Income Applicants
http://thewellesleynews.com/2016/10/26/college-admissions-process-unfairly-favors-higher-income-applicants/#comment-2026
InternationalU.K Teachers Threaten Test Boycott as Government Promises Assessment Policy Review
https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/union-ballots-sats-boycott-mps-call-testing-be-suspended
Worth ReadingLarge Racial Gaps on New Teacher Certification Test
http://hechingerreport.org/on-a-classroom-based-test-for-new-teachers-black-teachers-score-lower/
Worth Reading New Advocacy Group Criticizes Federal Teacher-Prep Regulations
https://dianeravitch.net/2016/11/01/the-federal-teacher-prep-regulations-are-costly-and-harmful/