Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 8 - 14, 2017 FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing

Testing Resistance & Reform News: February 8 - 14, 2017

FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing

Bob Schaeffer

The pace of both testing resistance and assessment reform is definitely quickening as the late winter/early spring 2017 standardized exam season draws nearer. Great to see so many policy makers questioning the fundamental role and value of current volumes of testing and the stakes attached to them.

National "A to F" School Grading Scales Distort Public Perception of Schools
http://edwp.educ.msu.edu/green-and-write/2017/distortion-in-a-f-accountability-scales/

Alabama Feds Question Whether ACT Test Is Aligned With State's Standards
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/federal_officials_question_use.html

Alaska District Drops Graduation Testing Requirement
http://www.newsminer.com/news/education/school-district-drops-test-requirement-for-graduation/article_298052ac-eddb-11e6-a90d-d7f516c06ad3.html

Florida Model Grassroots Opt-Out Guides Published
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/2016-2017-opt-out-guides-are-here/
Florida Lawmakers Question Value of High-Stakes Testing
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-legislature-school-accountability-20170208-story.html
Florida Districts Move to Reduce Local Testing Mandates
http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/article132003914.html

Idaho Seniors Will No Longer Have to Pass Test to Graduate
http://www.localnews8.com/news/high-school-seniors-will-not-have-to-pass-isat-to-graduate/323529210

Indiana New Name But Largely Same Old Failed Test
http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/02/10/new_classroom_testing_proposal_considered_by_lawmakers/

Kentucky Do State Assessments Really Do What They Say They Do?
http://www.bipps.org/kentuckys-kprep-school-assessments-supposed/

Louisiana Major Debate About How Often Students Should Be Testing
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/education/article_10a12886-ee19-11e6-a35e-1b88d7545929.html

Maine Educators Look Beyond Testing to Measure Student Success
https://bangordailynews.com/2017/02/13/news/state/maine-educators-look-beyond-testing-to-measure-student-success/

Michigan Superintendent Says Test Scores Measure Poverty, Not Academic Performance
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2017/02/saginaw_superintendent_says_st.html

New York State to Review Teacher Certification Exams
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/new-york-state-to-review_b_14653764.html

North Carolina Promise to Cut Standardized Exams Will Be Put to the Test
https://robesonian.com/opinion/96040/promise-will-be-put-to-test

Ohio Supers Criticize State ESSA Plan That Does Not Cut Testing
https://fairborndailyherald.com/news/14839/superintendents-not-happy-with-state-education-draft

Oklahoma Legislators Seek Permanent Exemptions From Third Grade Promotion Test Law
http://newsok.com/article/5537823

Texas State's Changing Testing Plans Confuse Teachers, Students
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/02/08/texas-keeps-changing-staar-test-plans-leaving-teachers-kids-unprepared
Texas A to F Ratings Spur Calls for School Assessment Change
https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/education/2017/02/10/f-ratings-spur-call-system-change/
Texas Houston Drops Stakes for Some Standardized Tests
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2017/02/13/187653/hisd-drops-some-stakes-for-state-standardized-tests-for-certain-grades/

Utah School Grading System Reflects State's Failure Not Public Education
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4909415-155/op-ed-school-grading-system-is-a

West Virginia Legislators Question Governor's ACT Testing Proposal
http://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2017/02/w-va-educators-consider-gov-jim-justices-act-proposal/

University Admission Who Is Overseeing the SAT?
http://news.trust.org/item/20170214144603-ssrcq

Worth Reading Public Education Should Prioritize Quality Not Test Competition
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/public-education-should-prioritize-quality-not-competition/article_d963118c-ee62-11e6-b62b-c769950957ae.html

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-   (239) 395-6773   fax-  (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 699-0468
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