Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 27 – October 3, 2017

Many of this week’s stories reflect the growing recognition that standardized exam scores do not accurately reflect the realities of student academic achievement or school quality. That’s why an ever-increasing number of states and districts are cutting back on the volume of tests and the stakes attached to their results.

ArizonaState’s School Letter Grades Are Meaningless


http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/joannaallhands/2017/09/27/arizona-school-letter-grades-meaningless/704155001/

CaliforniaFlat-Lining Smarter Balance Scores Lead to Questions About Test
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/27/california-school-test-scores-why-are-they-flatlining/

District of ColumbiaPioneering New Directions Beyond NCLB
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/59d33463e4b043b4fb095c23

FloridaState Must Overhaul Test-Score Based Teacher Bonus Program
http://www.ocala.com/opinion/20171003/editorial-state-must-fix-bonus-program

GeorgiaGovernor Rejects ESSA Plan That Would Have Reduced Testing Emphasis
http://www.myajc.com/news/local-education/georgia-gov-nathan-deal-rejects-state-education-plan/Kan1YQIY10kZ9yv81PjahJ/

Georgia Seeking Alternatives to Standardized Tests
http://www.myajc.com/news/local-education/georgia-search-for-alternative-standardized-state-tests/VTiTaH5QeVMSSkFEuQnSvL/

IndianaClarification Needed on Graduation Requirement Changes
http://news.wjct.org/post/educators-want-clarity-graduation-requirement-changes

KentuckyBig Problems with Big Data
https://insiderlouisville.com/business/data-scientist-big-problem-with-big-data/

MassachusettsA Better Way to Measure School Quality
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-better-way-to-measure-school-quality.html

MissouriKindergarten Assessment Hell
http://missourieducationwatchdog.com/kindergarten-in-2017-assessment-hell/

New JerseyFuture of PARCC Test Will Be Determined by Gubernatorial Election Outcome
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/njspotlight/njspotlight_20170929_Latest_PARCC_Results_Released__But_Fate_of_Tests_After_Elections_Is_Murky.html

OhioState Report Does Not Reflect District Success
http://www.sent-trib.com/news/front_page/otsego-school-board-state-grade-card-score-doesn-t-reflect/article_6dd0a3ac-8c2a-5f92-ade5-37ee2c4a25de.html

Ohio State Mandated Testing Compromises Educational Goals
http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/20171002/letter-to-editor-state-education-testing-compromises-educational-goals

PennsylvaniaEducators, Parents Hope Pendulum is Swinging on Standardized Testing
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-education-pssa-testing-changes-in-classroom-20170912-story.html

South CarolinaLet Teachers Teach!
http://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/letter-let-us-teach/article_76fd3da2-a397-11e7-8582-c7dd89787077.html

TennesseeConfusion Over Growth Model With Missing Data From Cancelled Test
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/tn/2017/09/28/theres-always-been-confusion-surrounding-tennessees-growth-model-with-a-missing-year-of-data-new-questions-pile-on/

TexasLawmakers Seek to Delay, Waive Testing Requirements for Students Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
http://www.kristv.com/story/36479931/lawmakers-ask-to-delay-waive-standardized-tests-for-students-impacted-by-harvey

UtahThere Should Be More to School Grades Than Test Mastery
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2017/09/29/tribune-editorial-theres-more-to-a-grade-than-test-mastery/

VermontTesting Changes Make Past Data Useless
http://www.stowetoday.com/news_and_citizen/news/local_news/two-years-of-student-data-trashed-after-change/article_564249b8-a45a-11e7-bb48-9b3949324f82.html

Vermont Keeping Standardized Exams in Perspective
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/meg-woolmington-standardized-testing-in-perspective,520899

VirginiaParents Should Opt Their Children Out of State Tests
http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/commentary/jeffrey-opt-out-of-sols/article_944742c1-682a-538b-8302-375459cf9050.html

Virginia State Withholds Accreditation From School That Encouraged Cheating
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/state-withholds-accreditation-from-petersburg-school-accused-of-helping-students/article_6e930b90-4baa-5173-b89b-5dc5d4325b5c.html

University AdmissionsNew SAT Scores Sow Confusion
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/new-sat-scores-sow-confusion-over-how-to-tell-a-good-result/2017/09/25/8732abce-a1f5-11e7-ade1-76d061d56efa_story.html

University Admission Class of 2017 SAT Scores Are Meaningless, Test Redesign Was Marketing Ploy
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/reaction-class-2017-sat-results

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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