Wednesday, May 31, 2017

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: May 24 - 30, 2017

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: May 24 - 30, 2017
Bob Schaeffer


Across the country, the academic year is winding down. Many school districts have already closed for the summer. Yet, testing controversies remain as intense as ever with advocates for fewer standardized exams and lower stakes winning more victories.  Remember that assessment reform allies can sign up to receive these free weekly news updates by clicking on:
   http://fairtest.org/weekly-news-signup

California 
State Seeks Non-Test Tool to Assess Alternative Schools
https://edsource.org/2017/state-board-rethinking-how-to-measure-performance-of-alternative-schools/582594

Georgia 
Struggles Go Beyond Test Scores at School Serving Impoverished Kids
http://news.wabe.org/post/1-low-performing-ga-school-struggles-go-beyond-test-scores

Hawaii 
Teachers Say State ESEA Plan Still Too Heavily Tied to Test Scores
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/education/essa-still-tied-to-test-scores/article_e18112c7-4e56-50f6-a745-20dd7a294d6d.html

Indiana 
State Will Allow Non-Test Paths to High School Graduation
http://www.batesvilleheraldtribune.com/news/local_news/indiana-eyes-more-paths-to-high-school-graduation/article_baffb076-7a54-5bb2-8f74-806bbf83d2d2.html

Maryland New Law Slashes Number of Tests Students Take
http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2017/05/25/maryland-slashes-number-tests-students/345786001/
Maryland Testimony by FairTest in Favor of Testing Cap Legislation
http://fairtest.org/fairtest-tells-maryland-legislators-cap-test-time

Massachusetts 
Teachers Fight World Largest Testing Company
https://www.baystateparent.com/2017/05/25/teachers-fight-the-worlds-largest-testing-company/

Michigan 
More to Students Than Test Scores
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/05/28/letter-editor-more-students-than-test-scores/351674001/

New York 
Standardized Testing System Leaves Some Students in the Dust
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/life/2017/05/26/standardized-tests-benefit-some-leave-others-dust/343443001/

Ohio 
Legislative Budget Would Allow Return of Pencil-and-Paper Testing
http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170524/ohio-schools-might-regain-paper-option-for-standardized-tests

Pennsylvania 
Board Passes Resolution Calling for Testing Reform
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/article152268017.html

Tennessee 
Test Scores Won't Be Reported in Time to be Included on Report Cards
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/35504928/update-tnready-test-scores-wont-arrive-in-time-for-report-cards

Texas 
Lawmakers Send Grad Test Reprieve Legislation to Governor
http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/texas-lawmakers-approve-high-school-staar-reprieve-rejects-others/6kZAd3BPjlAiZD92niEONM/
Texas Court Finds Test-Based Teacher Evaluations Flawed
http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/opinion/2017/05/26/court-finds-teacher-evaluation-system-flawed/102219102/

Virginia 
What Happens When Students Design Their Own Assessments?
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/24/what-happens-when-students-design-their-own.html

Washington 
Legislators Debate Suspending Grad Testing Requirement
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/testing-rules-stymie-lawmakers/

University Admissions 
SAT Test Preppery
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sat-test-preppery_us_5924cc28e4b0ed5eed13233d

Employment Testing 
Watch Out If You Are Not a White Man
https://www.revealnews.org/article/given-a-test-to-apply-for-a-job-watch-out-if-you-are-not-a-white-man/

Worth Reading Mandatory Grade Retention Programs Hurt Children
http://neatoday.org/2017/05/22/student-retention-laws/
Worth Reading Programs Try to "De-Stress" High-Stakes Testing
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/24/teaching-students-to-de-stress-over-testing.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
web-  http://www.fairtest.org