This week’s stories again demonstrate that the American public is fed up with testing overkill and wants assessments that support learning and teaching. You can help accelerate testing reform, honor former FairTest Executive Director Monty Neill as a “Hero in Education,” and welcome his successor, Andre Green, by clicking on http://www.fairtest.org/join-fairtest-celebrating-monty-neill-and-welcomin
https://www.the74million.org/article/commentary-with-8-clear-goals-and-a-public-progress-meter-arizona-is-improving-education-for-all-the-states-students/
Georgia State Wants to Join ESSA Innovation Assessment Pilot
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/10/georgia-essa-innovative-test.html
Georgia Educators Convicted of Test Cheating Prepare for Prison
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/District_Dossier/2018/10/atlanta_educators_convicted_in.html
Indiana State Test Scores Don’t Reflect Quality of Student Learning
https://www.thenewsdispatch.com/news/article_e3839585-5fb0-54f6-9e16-f1bd1bbcf0de.html
Indiana Testing Data Shames Students
https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2018/10/05/indiana-teacher-parent-testing-data-shames-students/1527304002/
Kentucky Requiring Another Test Won’t Make Students Ready for College, Careers
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2018/10/02/graduation-requirements-let-community-comment-changes/1502287002/
Maryland Time to Rethink Purpose of Standardized Tests
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-op-1007-standardized-tests-20181004-story.html
Maryland Parents Should Demand Fewer Standardized Exams
http://towsonflyer.com/2018/10/09/parents-should-demand-fewer-standardized-tests-in-schools/
Massachusetts Districts Try to Teach to the Student, Not the Tests
https://hechingerreport.org/teaching-to-the-student-not-the-test/
Massachusetts To Address Inequity, Dismantle Exam Schools
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2018/10/07/really-address-inequity-should-dismantle-exam-schools/tXGOkYcM0lo9QAWiW58DfP/story.html
Michigan Opportunities to Learn More Important Than Test Scores
https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/novi/2018/10/04/test-scores-great-but-opportunities-learn-better/1485312002/
New Hampshire Feds Approve State Participation in ESSA Innovative Assessment Pilot Program
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/10/new_hampshire_devos_innovative_pilot_essa.html
New Jersey Compromise Calls for Test Reductions, Greater Flexibility as Grad Test Legal Challenge Looms
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/10/03/parcc-peace-breaks-out-compromise-is-reached-on-high-school-testing/
New York Test-Driven School “Reform” Programs Change Names But Get Same Results
https://buffalonews.com/2018/10/04/another-voice-education-reform-programs-get-new-names-same-results/
North Carolina Grades From State Exams Are Not Only Measure of School Quality
https://www.greensboro.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/grades-aren-t-only-measures-of-schools/article_4cf348d0-2d4a-5941-aaa4-ab853ac936f1.html
Ohio Test-and-Punish System Beats Up Poor Children Instead of Helping Them
https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/17584/
Tennessee Listening Tour Gathers Feedback About Assessment System Flaws
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2018/10/05/tnready-testing-recommendations-listening-tour-gov-bill-haslam/1527113002/
Virginia Parents and Educators Agree: Don’t Judge Schools By State Ratings Alone
https://pilotonline.com/news/local/education/public-schools/article_b65d0496-c736-11e8-afe1-63eeb7b5ebf7.html
University Admissions As More Schools Drop ACT/SAT, Cal State System Head Calls for Test Requirement Study
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/la-me-edu-cal-state-standardized-tests-20181003-story.html
University Admissions Complete List of 1,022 Test-Optional/Test-Flexible Colleges and Universities
http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
University Admissions ACT Stops Flagging Disabled Students’ Test Results
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2018/10/act_stops_flagging_scores_of_students_with_disabilities.html
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