Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 7 – 13, 2016

This week’s news clips reinforce the trend summarized in FairTest’s new report “Testing Reform Victories 2016.” The upcoming academic year will feature fewer tests with reduced consequences attached to them along with an initial wave of improved assessment systems encouraged by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Obviously, the grassroots testing resistance and reform movement has much, much more to do . . . but we are beginning to make real progress in changing public policy.

National Testing Reform Victories 2016: Fewer Exams; Lower Stakes; Better Assessments
https://fairtest.orgdata.com.org/report-tallies-2016-testing-reform-victories
National Help Support More Winning Assessment Reform Campaigns
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/fairtest

Arizona State Solicits Public Comment on Draft ESSA Plan
http://www.azed.gov/essa/draftplan/
Arizona School Ratings May Depend Less on Standardized Exams
http://ktar.com/story/1266373/changes-loom-for-grading-arizona-schools/

California State Board Unanimously Adopts New Direction in School Accountability
https://edsource.org/2016/state-board-unanimously-adopts-new-school-acco…

Florida Victory for the Opt-Out Movement
http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article100961927.html
Florida Orlando Area Schools Considering Preparing Portfolios for All Third Graders
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/school-zone/os-orange-…
Florida Miami District Eliminates More Tests
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Fewer-Asse-392652391.html

Georgia Say “No” to Governor’s Test-Driven Ballot Question
http://coosavalleynews.com/2016/09/editorial-why-no-is-the-only-way/

Indiana Superintendent Candidates Criticize Grading Schools on State Tests
http://www.ibj.com/articles/60305-both-superintendent-candidates-agree-a…

Idaho Public Input for New System of School Accountability
http://www.idahoednews.org/news/educators-offer-suggestions-school-accou…

Louisiana ESSA Draft Plan and Listening Tour Report
http://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/about-us/every-student-succeeds-act-(essa)

New Jersey Rethink Graduation Test Requirement
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/09/07/reconsid…
New Jersey BATS Testify About ESSA Implementation
http://badassteachers.blogspot.com/2016/09/testimony-before-njdoe-on-ess…

New Mexico Santa Fe Schools Cutting Back on Standardized Tests
http://www.koat.com/news/santa-fe-schools-cutting-back-on-tests/41587680

New York Mayor Blasts Testing System for Lack of Diversity at Top City Schools
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/de-blasio-blames-testing-s…
New York District Unanimously Adopts “Serve All Students Resolution”
https://www.facebook.com/notes/patchogue-medford-school-district/serve-a…
New York Parents Demand District Oppose Test-and-Punish Policies
http://riverheadlocal.com/2016/09/08/angry-parents-demand-riverhead-scho…

Ohio Cleveland Slashes Role of Student Scores in Teacher Evaluation
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/09/cleveland_school_distri…
Ohio Superintendents Want Testing Cut to Federal Minimums
http://limaohio.com/news/202361/local-school-advocacy-group-asking-for-r…

Oklahoma Reduction in School Testing Gives Teachers Relief
http://ktul.com/news/local/reduction-in-school-testing-gives-teachers-re…

Oregon Test Results Reveal Only Part of the Story
http://democratherald.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-test-results-…

Pennsylvania Test Costs Shortchanging Schools
http://chaddsfordlive.com/2016/09/07/oped-test-costs-shortchanging-schools/
Pennsylvania Officials Raise Concerns About Exam Requirements
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20160913/officials-voice-concerns…

Washington Both State Ed Super Candidates Oppose Tying Teacher Evaluations to Tests
http://klcc.org/post/state-schools-chief-steps-aside-two-newcomers-vie-job

West Virginia State Ed Board Suspends Test-Based Teacher Evaluation
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-education/20160908/teacher-evaluation-…

ACT/SAT Standardized Tests Should Not Determine College Admissions
http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/opinion/2016/09/12/voices-act-sat-unf…

International Australia: Too Much Time Spent on Tests
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/news/school-education-too-muc…

Worth Reading Guide to Growing Your State’s Opt-Out Movement
http://networkforpubliceducation.org/2016/09/new-yorks-big-opt-out-numbers/

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