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