The wide range of stories in this week’s news clips show the growing breadth and depth of the grassroots testing resistance and reform movement. Parents, students, educators and community leaders are all pushing for fewer standardized exams, an end to high-stakes testing, and better assessments based on classroom performance.
NationalProtecting Opportunity to Learn Through ESSA — Free Webinar
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6041/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=7286
ArizonaDemographics Dominate School Test Scores
http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2016/sep/30/demographics-dominate-state-school-test-scores/
CaliforniaDashboard Data Will Guide School Improvement
http://educationnext.org/californias-dashboard-data-will-guide-improvement-forum-hough-kirst-accountability/
California How High-Stakes Testing Doomed Bi-literacy
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/31_01/31-1_gonzales.shtml
FloridaTeachers, Parents Lead Way in Review of New Federal Education Law
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/teachers-parents-lead-way-in-florida-review-of-new-federal-education-rules/2295379
Florida Replace Test-Based Teacher Bonuses with Better Pay
http://www.starfl.com/news/20161003/better-bonus-for-teachers
GeorgiaPoverty Undermines Achievement
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/poverty-turns-schools-into-suppliers-of-everyday-n/nshK4/
Georgia State Schools Superintendent Assesses Opportunities in ESSA Testing Changes
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article104628856.html
IdahoMandated Tests Not Good for Children
http://www.mtexpress.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/mandated-tests-not-good-for-children/article_1595b80a-fb55-11e5-bcd1-d778e2ece324.html
IllinoisPoverty is Greatest Obstacle to Educational Achievement
http://myjournalcourier.com/news/100908/teachers-call-poverty-education-obstacle
LouisianaPublic at Odds with Policymakers Over Role of Testing
http://louisianaeducator.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-public-seems-to-be-at-odds-with.html
MassachusettsState Ed Boss: Delay Start of New Test
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/09/state_ed_boss_delay_start_of_new_test
Massachusetts Testing Testing
http://www.itemlive.com/opinion/testing-testing/
MichiganThe “Wisdom” of Mandatory Grade Retention
https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-wisdom-of-mandatory-grade-retention/
New YorkStudents More Likely to Fail Regents Tests on Hot Days
http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2016/09/28/is-it-getting-hot-in-here-if-so-youre-less-likely-to-pass-a-high-stakes-test/
New York The Future of Common Core in the Empire State
http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/e/i2/edsolutions/201609/3CommonCore.pdf
OhioOnline vs Paper Tests Causes “Seesaw” Effect in School Grades
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/09/online_vs_paper_tests_create_seesaw_effect_on_state_report_card_grades_school_official_says.html
PennsylvaniaThe Measure of Citizenship Isn’t an Exit Exam
https://gadflyonthewallblog.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/the-measure-of-citizenship-isnt-an-exit-exam-its-participating-in-our-democracy/
Pennsylvania The (In)Accuracy of Using Test Scores to Assess Principal Performance
http://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2016/09/assessing-accuracy-of-evaluating.html
TennesseeTeachers Question New State Testing Vendor
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/education/teachers-talk-with-tns-new-standardized-testing-vendor/326990392
Tennessee Education is More Than Test Scores
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2016/9/30/333048/More-Than-A-Test-Score.aspx
TexasMore Changes Coming for State Tests
http://www.krgv.com/story/33264421/tea-introduces-new-changes-in-staar-test
UtahChanging Standards Affects School Grades
http://www.davisclipper.com/view/full_story/27279338/article-Changing-standard-affects-school-grades?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
VermontSchool Inspections Offer a Diagnostic Look at Educational Quality
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/09/28/school-inspections-offer-a-diagnostic-look-at.html
VirginiaA Veteran Teacher’s Take on “Education Reform”
http://www.newsadvance.com/opinion/community_viewpoint/garmey-a-veteran-teacher-s-take-on-education-reform/article_5486141a-8746-11e6-885a-d7d1d76fe1db.html
Virginia Award-Winning Principal Reassigned in Wake of Opt-Out Questions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/award-winning-principal-reassigned-in-wake-of-testing-opt-out-irregularities/2016/10/03/1669a13a-8988-11e6-b24f-a7f89eb68887_story.html
University AdmissionsSAT Scores Sag as Test-Optional Movement Soars
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/sats-drop-again-testoptional-movement-surges
Worth ReadingStandardized Testing is Bad for Education and Democracy
https://dianeravitch.net/2016/09/27/georg-lind-standardized-testing-is-bad-for-education-and-bad-for-democracy/
Worth Reading The Unintended Consequences of EdTPA on Teacher Education
http://pdkintl.org/blogs/learning-on-the-edge/the-unintended-consequences-of-edtpa/