Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 6 – 12, 2017

Despite severe weather across the southern U.S., campaigns against standardized exam overkill and for better methods of assessment continue to accelerate. FairTest hopes all our allies in Texas, Florida and other states hit hard by hurricanes Harvey and Irma are safe and will soon be able to return to their effective assessment reform activism.

ArizonaEducators Worry That New School Grading System Won’t Convey Useful Information
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2017/09/07/educators-worry-arizonas-new-school-grade-system-too-complicated/638080001/

Arizona Test Scores Don’t Tell the Whole Story
http://tucson.com/opinion/letters/schools/letter-azmerit-test-scores-don-t-tell-the-whole-picture/article_38912f48-94c8-11e7-919a-c79edf764f8c.html

ConnecticutTest Score Misuse Fuels Teacher Shortages
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Wendy-Lecker-Fueling-the-teacher-shortage-12183955.php

FloridaCandidates Must Grasp Why Educators Oppose Standardized Tests
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-why-educators-do-not-like-standardized-tests-20170906-story.html

HawaiiSchools Try Out New Test to Measure Students’ Character
http://khon2.com/2017/09/05/hawaii-schools-among-group-implementing-new-test-to-measure-students-character/

IndianaSuperintendent’s Letter to Parents Explains Why Test Scores Are Irrelevant
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20170908/nacs-outlines-for-parents-irrelevance-of-istep

LouisianaState Resumes Discredited “Value Added” Teacher Evaluations
http://vamboozled.com/much-of-the-same-in-louisiana/

MassachusettsTesting Comes Under Fire Again
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_31297093/standardized-testing-comes-under-fire-again-mass

Massachusetts Test Scores Don’t Tell the Real Story
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/09/06/test-scores-dont-tell-the-whole-story.html

Massachusetts Selective High Schools Would Be More Diverse If They Did Not Rely on Admissions Exams
http://news.wgbh.org/2017/09/05/local-news/boston-public-school-students-may-be-disadvantage-getting-boston-latin

MichiganHow One District Looks Beyond Testing to Real World Learning
http://michiganradio.org/post/how-one-school-district-looks-beyond-standardized-tests-toward-real-world-flexible-learning

MontanaSenator Speaks Out Against Standardized Exams
http://www.sidneyherald.com/news/tester-speaks-against-standardized-tests/article_ab3e2874-91a9-11e7-8563-d7c10c6d629e.html

New YorkNew State ESSA Campaign Reduces Emphasis on Tests to Assist Struggling Schools
https://dailygazette.com/article/2017/09/11/state-tries-to-shift-focus-away-from-school-tests

North CarolinaPublic School Standardized Testing Misses the Point
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article171640927.html

OhioInvest in Children, Not Tests
https://www.ohio.com/akron/editorial/voice-of-the-people/letters-to-the-editor-sept-9-invest-in-children-not-tests-what-if-columbus-had-been-pc

South CarolinaTesting Stresses: A Student Perspective
http://www.thecolumbiastar.com/news/2017-09-08/Education/Testing_Stresses.html

TexasSeeking Public Input on District-Level Accountability
https://communityimpact.com/austin/georgetown/education/2017/09/13/georgetown-isd-will-seek-public-input-district-level-accountability-system/

VirginiaTest Score Fixation is Obstacle to Educational Progress
https://pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/letter-obstacles-in-u-s-education/article_c68dd0ca-e640-57ac-9646-11cfd56fbb5e.html

WashingtonStudents Can Apply for Waiver From Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article170877672.html

University AdmissionsACT Exam Cancelled in Many Overseas Locations Due to Cheating
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/09/07/security-breach-forces-act-test-cancellation-in-asia-and-weather-causes-some-in-u-s/

University Admissions Bloomfield College to Become Test-Optional
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/nutley/categories/news/articles/bloomfield-college-to-become-test-optional-with-f-1

University Admissions Who Benefits From the Expansion of AP Classes?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/magazine/who-benefits-from-the-expansion-of-ap-classes.html

Worth ReadingDistricts Increase Formative Assessments, Reduce High-Stake Exams
https://www.districtadministration.com/article/k12-makes-assessment-shifts

Worth Reading “These Schools Belong to You and Me” New Book Co-Authored by FairTest Board Member Deb Meier
http://www.beacon.org/These-Schools-Belong-to-You-and-Me-P1294.aspx

Worth Reading New Tool Alerts Teachers When Students Give Up on Tests
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/09/06/new-tool-alerts-teachers-when-students-give.html

Worth Watching(corrected link) The Insanity of Kindergarten Assessments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu40uvGSKwE

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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