FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 20 - 26, 2017

1Testing Resistance & Reform News: December 20 - 26, 2017

We hope you've enjoyed receiving Testing Resistance & Reform News and consider it a valuable tool for staying informed about the national movement against testing overkill. Please help FairTest support assessment reform campaigns with tools like this by clicking here now: Happy New Year from all of us at FairTest!

National Major Rural Advocacy Group Calls for High-Stakes Testing Cutback
https://dianeravitch.net/2017/12/21/national-grange-calls-on-congress-to-reduce-high-stakes-standardized-testing/                  #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Colorado Genuine Educational Accountability Involves More Than Test Results
http://www.dailycamera.com/guest-opinions/ci_31537679/mary-peraro-accountability-schools                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Colorado Forum on Standardized Testing Opt-Out Movement
https://luxoraleader.com/cu-boulder-hosting-forum-on-standardized-testing-opt-out-movement/294927/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

District of Columbia What Happens When Schools Focus on Numbers
http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article190028449.html                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Florida State Is Poor Model for Nation
https://dianeravitch.net/2017/12/23/no-patricia-levesque-florida-is-not-a-model-for-the-nation/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Florida Tests Can't Be Only in English
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/2017/12/21/florida-must-provide-tests-in-languages-other-than-english-federal-government-says/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Massachusetts High-Stakes Testing Fails to Fix Fundamental Education Problems
http://www.telegram.com/news/20171219/letter-with-failure-of-high-stakes-testing-fix-public-ed-model                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Massachusetts If Education Justice is the Goal, State Is Not a Model for Equity
https://ctviewpoints.org/2017/12/19/if-education-justice-is-the-goal-dont-follow-massachusetts/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Michigan Test Scores Don't Make Schools Great
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/12/19/employees-make-great-schools/108761152/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Nebraska Test Scores Don't Tell the Whole Story
http://www.theindependent.com/opinion/editorial/standardized-test-scores-don-t-tell-the-whole-story/article_de81f412-e6a0-11e7-b6f5-5bc71eb8e2d3.html                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

New Jersey Grassroots Activists Look to Post-Christie New Jersey
https://networkforpubliceducation.org/2017/12/save-school-nj-cautiously-looks-forward-post-chris-christie-new-jersey                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

New Jersey What Do Tests Really Measure?
http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2017/12/what-are-tests-really-measuring-tale-of.html                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

North Dakota School Performance "Dashboard" Will Include More Than Test Scores
https://www.inforum.com/news/4378858-nd-school-performance-dashboard-getting-update                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Ohio Bill Would Reduce Test Score Role in Teacher Evaluation
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/12/testing_would_have_a_smaller_r.html                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Pennsylvania Test Scores Won't Accurately Measure Philadelphia Schools' Progress
https://dianeravitch.net/2017/12/21/david-berliner-offers-advice-to-the-citizens-of-philadelphia-about-their-public-schools/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Texas State Should Exempt Hurricane-Impacted Students From Testing Requirement
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Harvey-s-test-12445803.php                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Texas The Testing Charade
https://www.tribtalk.org/2017/12/20/the-education-testing-charade/                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

Worth Reading Testing Isn't Everything: Two New Books Offer Insight
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-books-biblioracle-1224-story.html                 #EdBlogNet @idraedu @FairTestOffice

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

FairTest Testing in US November 24

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Many thanks for your interest and support!

National States Can Soon Pursue "Innovative Assessment" Pilot Program Under NCLB
http://hechingerreport.org/states-will-soon-free-transform-standardized-testing-wont/
National Many States Set Ridiculously Unachievable Goals Under ESSA
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2017-11-17/the-every-student-succeeds-acts-hollow-educational-ambition

Florida Schools Seeks Graduation Test Waiver for Students with Classes Disrupted by Hurricane
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2017/11/miami_superintendent_seeks_test_waiver_for_puerto_rico_students.html

Hawaii Many Flaws in Current State Testing
http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/11/making-hawaii-student-testing-more-meaningful/

Illinois High School "Proficiency" Bar Set Higher Than "College Readiness"
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/11/17/to-be-proficient-in-illinois-you-have.html

Maryland State Data Now Includes Data From School Climate Ratings
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/how-you-rate-your-school-becomes-important-under-new-law/2017/11/19/8fa0187a-cb24-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html

Massachusetts Schools Preparing Kids for Tests, Not Life
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2017/11/15/preparing-kids-for-test-but-not-for-life/6q2JQzpP5fm5E6ARwWtLwJ/story.html
Massachusetts Tougher Tests Don't Improve Teacher Quality
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-11-20/education/research-tougher-tests-dont-improve-teaching-quality/a60332-1

Mississippi Teacher Shortage Spurs Licensing Test Flexibility
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/20/mississippi-teacher-shortage-license/873659001/

Missouri We've Made Schools Into a Contest for Well-Trained Test Takers
http://www.emissourian.com/we-ve-made-education-a-wrestling-match/article_d5db3a3a-865b-520a-a037-98b8f7dd1b88.html
Missouri School Report Cards Hard to Analyze Amidst Test Score Reporting Errors
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri/articles/2017-11-15/annual-missouri-report-cards-prove-difficult-to-analyze

New York State Cuts Testing Days in Attempt to Discourage Opt Outs
http://www.orchardparkbee.com/news/2017-11-16/Local_News/Changes_on_the_way_for_standardized_tests.html

Ohio "Moving Goal Posts," Poor Measures Make State Report Cards "Meaningless"
http://ysnews.com/news/2017/11/state-report-card-schools-react-to-assessment

Pennsylvania Graduation Test Requirement Postponed Again
https://whyy.org/articles/push-pa-graduation-standard-delayed/

South Carolina 96% of Schools Experienced Technical Glitches with Online Testing
http://www.wcnc.com/news/education/report-96-percent-of-sc-schools-impacted-by-act-glitches/492755570

Tennessee Fired Testing Vendor Sues for Multi-Million Contract Termination Payout
http://www.wsmv.com/story/36855620/tn-dept-of-education-hit-with-lawsuit-from-test-maker
Tennessee Students, Parents, Educators Rally Against Testing Company Monopoly
http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2017/11/17/students-parents-and-knox-county-mayor-rally-against-act-testing-monopoly/875546001/

Texas Commissioner Threatens Fed Funding Loss If Tests Cancelled Due to Hurricane Impacts
http://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/Canceling-STAAR-tests-could-wipe-out-federal-12367334.php

Virginia Test Scores Will Play Smaller Role in School Accreditation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/test-scores-to-play-smaller-role-in-virginia-school-accreditation/2017/11/16/cb3963c6-cb08-11e7-aa96-54417592cf72_story.html

Wisconsin Unusual Test Score Fluctuations Confuse School Report Cards
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/20/mississippi-teacher-shortage-license/873659001/

University Admissions ACT Cancels Test Scores After Administering Wrong Exam
http://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/education/bearden-hs-students-outraged-after-act-testing-error-invalidates-scores/51-492044555

International Canadian Teachers Federation Calls Government-Mandated Tests Obstacle to Quality Education
http://www.nugget.ca/2017/11/17/teachers-federation-calls-tests-obstacles-to-quality-education

Worth Reading Data, Numbers and Audiences
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2017/11/data-and-numbers-and-audiences.html

Thank you!
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

Texas High School Attrition Reaches All-Time Low of 29% for Hispanic Students

See our latest annual attrition study: https://budurl.me/IDRAatrn17w

“At 24 percent statewide for all student groups, our high schools are losing one-fourth of their students. It isn’t the fact that Texas attrition went down to 24 this year that's important; it's the fact that the number never goes below 24 percent,” said Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA president and CEO. “Also, 29 percent is high for any student group, but especially for the largest group in the state – Hispanic students. We need to do more than try harder or tweak. Texas has to be serious about investing and being strategic. Since this problem is systemic, the solutions must be as well.”

#dropouts #txed

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 13-19, 2017

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: September 13-19, 2017

Bob Schaeffer

Praising FairTest as "an incredibly vibrant and important organization that provides an essential service" -- and specifically citing these weekly updates -- former PBS education correspondent John Merrow posts FairTest Is Not a Footnote and urges readers to provide more financial support around our upcoming "Heroes in Education" event.

https://themerrowreport.com/2017/09/13/fairtest-is-not-a-footnote/

This week's clips include stories from more than 40% of U.S. states:

Arizona Schools Chief Somewhat Critical of State Standardized Exam
https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2017/09/15/schools-chief-diane-douglas-remains-lukewarm-azmerit-test-shows-confusion-prop-305/

California State Gets One-Year Federal Waiver on Science Testing
https://edsource.org/2017/california-gets-waiver-from-administering-old-science-tests-but-only-for-last-year/587259

Colorado Officials Debate How to Protect Opt-Out Policy in Face of Federal Concerns
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2017/09/13/how-should-colorado-respond-to-federal-concerns-about-its-testing-opt-out-policy-state-board-members-dont-agree/

District of Columbia Advanced Placement Courses, Tests Enjoy "A Prestige Beyond Merits"
https://nondoc.com/2017/09/16/ap-classes-prestige-merits/

Florida Teachers Sue State Over Teacher Bonus Program Based on Old ACT/SAT Scores
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/09/14/teachers-union-sues-florida-alleging-best-brightest-bonus-system-discriminatory/667029001/#new_tab
Florida More Questions About "Value Added" Measure of Teacher Impact
http://jacksonville.com/education/news/metro/2017-09-15/some-question-state-s-measurement-teacher-effectiveness

Georgia Schools Superintendent Rejects Governor's Plea to Increase Test Score Weight in ESSA Plan
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2017/09/18/georgia-school-chief-governors-accountability-plan-relies-too-much-on-testing/

Indiana District Superintendent Blasts Interpretation of State Test Scores
http://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/education/2017/09/17/mcs-superintendent-baule-blasts-istep/661240001/
Indiana Tooo Many Variables Affect Test Scores
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/opinion/columns/shane-phipps-column-too-many-variables-affect-standardized-test-results/article_4fecce09-87ea-5b0a-b771-7583b6c280fe.html

Maine And Your Thought Standardized Exams Were Bad
https://emilytalmage.com/2017/09/16/and-you-thought-standardized-tests-were-bad/

Maryland Ed. Policy Makers Ignore Governor's Criticism of ESSA Plan That Downgrades Testing
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-0918-essa-20170915-story.html

Massachusetts High-Stakes Student Testing Sparks Policy Debate
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20170915/high-stakes-student-testing-sparks-beacon-hill-debate

Minnesota New ESSA School Grades Go Beyond Test Scores
http://www.startribune.com/fsfs/445544163/

Nebraska Test Scores Mislead Public About Educational Quality
http://journalstar.com/opinion/letters/letter-nebraska-act-results-mislead/article_3413d943-9e90-56a7-9e68-a5002efbcb41.html

Nevada School Ratings Delayed by Questionable Test Scores
http://mynews4.com/news/local/nevada-education-department-postpones-school-ratings-release

New York Parents Call for Continuation of Testing Boycott, End to Failed Compromises
http://www.nysape.org/nysape-pr-essa---cc.html

North Carolina State Deserves an "F" for its Testing Fetish
http://www.greensboro.com/opinion/n_and_r_editorials/our-opinion-state-deserves-an-f-for-its-testing-fetish/article_0ac92115-37bd-5342-ad9c-da531ccfa620.html
North Carolina School Grading Does Not Work
http://www.thetimesnews.com/opinion/20170917/editorial-nc-school-grading-doesnt-work

Ohio Real Education Is More Than Tests and Report Cards
http://www.record-courier.com/article/20170917/OPINION/309179990
Ohio Experts Disagree About What Test-Based Report Cards Mean
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/09/even_experts_disagree_on_what.html

Oregon Test Scores Don't Tell Entire Story
http://democratherald.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-test-scores-don-t-tell-entire-story/article_81560bed-3d44-5ba8-8127-ff3b670b5972.html

Tennessee State's School Grading System is Hogwash
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/9/17/355039/Roy-Exum-TVAAS-Is-Hogwash.aspx

Texas Speaker Wants House to Look Into Testing Requirement Changes in Wake of Hurricane Harvey
http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Straus-wants-House-to-examine-student-testing-12198189.php

Vermont State Board of Ed Vice Chair Says Measuring Wrong Things Leads to Loss of Purpose
http://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/william-mathis-what-purpose

Virginia Extensive Investigation Documents Depth of Test Cheating at One School
http://www.nbc12.com/story/36368864/documents-reveal-extensive-state-investigation-into-sol-cheating-at-petersburg-elementary-school

Washington State Super Says, "Student Success Should Not Be Tied to Passing a Single Test"
https://www.columbian.com/news/2017/sep/15/high-school-end-of-course-biology-assessment-postponed/

International British Students Have Become "Just Numbers in a Giant Machine"
https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/our-pupils-are-now-just-numbers-a-giant-machine

Teacher Certification Test Keep Educators of Color Out of U.S. Classrooms
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2017/09/12/certification-rules-and-tests-are-keeping-would-be-teachers-of-color-out-of-americas-classrooms-heres-how/

University Applying to College with Test-Optional Admission
http://www.thehour.com/opinion/article/Janet-Rosier-Applying-to-college-with-test-12188356.php

Worth Reading End the High-Stakes Testing Sham
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/articles/2017-09-15/stop-pretending-that-high-stakes-testing-is-making-schools-better
Worth Reading Parents Say Testing Overkill Is Top-Tier Problem Facing Schools
https://www.aft.org/press-release/national-poll-finds-parents-want-safe-welcoming-well-funded-neighborhood

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

Census: Texas Ranks 38th in Child Poverty Progress Threatened by Hurricane Harvey

Census: Texas Ranks 38^th in Child Poverty
Progress Threatened by Hurricane Harvey, Federal Policy Uncertainty

AUSTIN, TX– Census data released this week show modest improvements in the numbers of Texas children living in poverty and the percentage of uninsured children. But far too many children still live with economic deprivation and lack access to essential health coverage. The rates of children living in poverty and lacking insurance experienced small, steady improvements, but the challenges of recovering from hurricane Harvey and policy uncertainty at the federal level are threatening those gains. The president’s proposed budget makes deep cuts to programs that support low-income children and families, and the administration continues to undermine the Affordable Care Act.

Children remain the poorest age group in America, with more than 1.6 million Texas children living in poverty in 2016, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas saw some improvement in child poverty rates from 25.8 percent in 2012 to 22.4 percent in 2016. It has been a slow recovery, but we are now back to pre-recession child poverty levels of 2008, when 22.5 percent of Texas children lived in poverty. Major federal programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, have played a part in this recovery, most of which would be cut under the proposed federal budget.

“While we are cautiously optimistic about these incremental gains for Texas children, the challenges imposed by the Harvey recovery and the policy uncertainty coming from Washington raise real concerns. As we look at the tremendous reduction in the number of uninsured people in our country as a result of the Affordable Care Act, we are deeply worried that the Trump administration’s active efforts to undermine the ACA, and looming federal budget cuts will destroy the fragile progress we’ve made,” said Patrick Bresette, executive director of Children’s Defense Fund-Texas.

Texas children of color under age 18 continue to have poverty rates higher than average. More than 30 percent of Hispanic children, 28.7 percent of black children, and 23 percent of Native American children are poor. Asian and white children fare better, with 10 percent living in poverty. Children of color are the majority of all children in Texas, and suffer disproportionately from economic deprivation. Our youngest children are most at risk of being poor—nearly one-quarter of Texas kids aged five and younger lived in poverty in 2016.

Despite modest improvements, Texas remains 49^th among all states in the percentage of children lacking health insurance. More than 670,000 children lack health insurance, six-and-a-half times those in New York and two-and-a-half the number of uninsured children in California. Texas continues to have the highest number and rate of uninsured people—16.6 percent—in the nation, nearly double the national rate.

The situation remains precarious for Texans in poverty and those on the edge who recently lost their homes or their jobs in areas hit hard by hurricane Harvey, despite the improvements shown in the Census data. In addition to the personal losses individuals will face, the Texas state budget will also be impacted by Harvey as more people and communities turn to the state for assistance. State lawmakers will need to ensure that they maximize all available federal funds to respond to the disaster.

“One thing our leaders can do right now is to urge Congress to act quickly and authorize a five-year funding extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), a critical support for low-income children. Likewise, Texas could significantly reduce the economic burden facing low-income families by finally expanding Medicaid, which would reduce our high levels of uninsured adults and free up family resources for other needs,” said Bresette.

Federal Medicaid funds are always an important source of support for communities, and they are essential in the aftermath of a natural disaster. But Texas has a slow-moving healthcare disaster happening every day, and Medicaid expansion now would improve Texans’ access to health insurance immediately and dramatically, while helping to stabilize the state budget.

Texas has long ranked in the bottom quarter of states with respect to child poverty, and Harvey threatens to upend the small progress we’ve made over the last few years. In the immediate aftermath of Harvey, more than 1 million children were unable to start school on time, and up to 3 million children are being impacted across the region. Many schools remain flooded or damaged, and as school started up this week, more than 10,000 children in Houston public schools alone were being moved to other campuses. As the state works to recover from this widespread natural disaster, the fragility of our safety net programs and the pressure on our state budget is becoming ever more clear. Medicaid was already significantly underfunded by more than $1 billion for the next biennium, and families under duress after Harvey will only have increased needs.

Children’s Defense Fund’s Child Poverty in America 2016: National Analysis

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The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life, and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: August 23 - 29, 2017

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News: August 23 - 29, 2017

Bob Schaeffer

You can tell that a new school year is beginning across the U.S. by the surge in testing-related coverage -- this week's clips include news from 20 states as well as national overviews. FairTest is especially pleased that so many stories and columns include strong criticisms of standardized exam misuse and overuse, reflecting a growing consensus for assessment reform that is also revealed in recent public opinion polls.

National Many States Begin Shedding K-12 Exam Mandates

https://www.districtadministration.com/article/states-begin-shedding-standardized-tests-k12  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

National New Poll Finds Little Public Support for Standardized Testing

http://pdkpoll.org/results#measuring-school-quality  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Alabama State Board Member Wants to Institutionalize Special Ed. Students to Boost Average Test Scores

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/08/alabama-state-school-board-member-wants-to-institutionalize-special-needs-students-to-boost-test-scores/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Arizona School Grades Delayed to Massage Ranking Formula

http://tucson.com/news/local/state-issued-letter-grades-for-arizona-schools-will-likely-be/article_1548cf97-1e35-58f3-b8d9-9656d6bea4a5.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

California State Board Dismisses Complaints From Test-and-Punish Advocates

https://edsource.org/2017/national-group-sharply-criticizes-states-plan-for-every-student-succeeds-act/586312  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

California Test Scores Delayed Indefinitely Due to "Data Issues"

http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-essential-education-updates-southern-california-s-standardized-test-score-1503703716-htmlstory.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

California Parents Prep Kids for Kindergarten Entrance Tests

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toddler-test-prep-1032351  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Colorado State Asks Feds for More Time to Integrate Opt-Out Policy Into ESSA Plan

https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2017/08/25/colorado-tells-feds-it-needs-more-time-to-rethink-opt-out-policy/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Florida Governor Candidate Says Testing Cripples Education

http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170822/graham-education-her-primary-commitment  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Idaho New Graduation Requirements Stir Debate Over Tests' Value

https://www.idahoednews.org/news/new-graduation-requirements-stir-debate-value-test-scores/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Indiana Superintendent of Education Says, "We Assess Kids to Death"

http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/2438328.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Maryland School Test Scores Can be Highly Misleading

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-parcc-scores-20170825-story.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Maryland The Limits of Standardized Testing

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-parcc-20170824-story.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Maryland State Board of Education Debates School Rating System

http://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-tweaks-star-rating-system-for-schools/12049164  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Massachusetts Moving Beyond MCAS: Current School Quality Measures Are Incomplete, Inaccurate

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/moving-beyond-mcas/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Minnesota Aggregated Test Scores Mislead on School Performance

http://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2017/08/27/aggregated-test-scores-mislead-school-performance/593807001/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

New Jersey Replacing High-Stakes Testing with Broader Education?

http://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/25/njea-marie-blistan-new-president/104942726/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

New Mexico Do School Grades Show Real Academic Performance or "Noise"?

http://www.ladailypost.com/content/wadt-guide-school-grades-real-or-noise  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

New Mexico Time to Dump PARCC Tests?

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-08-24/education/time-to-dump-new-mexico-student-parcc-tests/a59135-1  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

New York Teachers Call Test Scores "Virtually Meaningless"

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-08-23/education/ny-teachers-call-latest-test-scores-meaningless/a59115-1  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

New York 225,000 Students Opted Out of State Tests in 2017

http://www.nysape.org/nysape-pr-2017-opt-out-results.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

North Carolina The Failure of Using Business-Model Practices Like VAM in Education

https://www.ednc.org/2017/08/09/cost-business-education-world/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Ohio Test Scores Don't Tell Us Anything We Did Not Already Know

http://www.dailycall.com/opinion/columns/27322/the-great-debate-rages-on  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Pennsylvania Spending Too Much Time on Testing and Not Getting Enough Back

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2017/08/24/editorial-costs-standardized-testing-continue-grow/593225001/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Tennessee Parents Should Opt Out of Standardized Testing Madness

http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/08/24/parents-should-opt-out-standardized-testing-madness/594774001/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Tennessee Weeks Into New School Year, Last Spring's Test Scores Still Not Available

http://wjhl.com/2017/08/25/weeks-into-new-school-year-and-some-tn-ready-official-test-scores-are-still-not-available/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Virginia Principal and Teachers Fired at School Where Staff Cheated on Exams

http://www.richmond.com/news/local/central-virginia/tri-cities/petersburg/teachers-fired-principal-out-at-petersburg-school-where-staff-helped/article_a2dd285c-5191-5e61-bdb3-0a11cf7ddd92.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Washington ESSA Plan Moves Beyond No Child Left Behind

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/before-and-after-washingtons-plan-for-the-every-student-succeeds-act/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

West Virginia More Changes to Draft ESSA Plan

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-education/20170826/wvs-essa-plan-seeing-further-changes-praise-criticism  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

International Principals in India Say Students Gain Nothing From Competency Tests

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-principals-say-students-gain-nothing-from-competency-tests/story-d3L20MRhxEVy5C5oVEYWzK.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

University University Bloomfield College Now Has Test-Optional Admissions Policy

http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/bloomfield/2017/08/28/bloomfield-college-now-has-test-optional-policy/609846001/  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

University California State System Eliminates Placement-Test Based Remedial Courses

http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/CSU-finally-ends-remedial-classes-that-delay-11946283.php  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Worth Reading New Book "Beyond Test Scores: A Better Way to Measure School Quality"

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674976399  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Worth Reading Closing Schools with Low Scores Does Not Help Most Students

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/08/24/closing-failing-schools-doesnt-help-most-students.html  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Worth Reading Questions Parents Should Ask Schools About Testing Their Children

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1844518558897873&set=a.137773602905719.26097.100000192405525&type=3&theater  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

Support Heroes in Education Be sure to order your tickets or make your contribution for FairTest's October 26 "Heroes in Education" award reception honoring Schott Foundation head John Jackson and Mass. Teachers Association President Barbara Madeloni.  Details at: http://www.fairtest.org/fairtest-to-honor-jackson-and-madeloni  #EdBlogNet @FairTestOffice @idraedu

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

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News July 12 - 18, 2017

FairTest Testing Resistance & Reform News July 12 - 18, 2017

There's no evidence of any "summer doldrums" for the U.S. assessment reform movement.  With each week, more and more states respond to grassroots pressure by reducing testing mandates and the time devoted to standardized exams. Nationally, the impact is striking: for example, the number of jurisdictions with high school exit exams has been trimmed to just 13, down from 27 that once had or planned such requirements (http://fairtest.org/graduation-test-update-states-recently-eliminated).

Alabama Why Teacher Diversity Is Important for Student Academic Performance
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/07/why_its_important_to_have_a_di.html

California Controversies Over State ESSA Plan
http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20170716/state-board-faces-deadline-tough-decisions-on-new-federal-law-for-improving-schools

District of Columbia The Truth About Cheating in DC Schools
https://themerrowreport.com/2017/07/14/school-reforms-hot-air-balloon/

Florida Algebra 2 End-of-Course Testing Mandate Ended
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/can-florida-students-still-take-the-algebra-2-end-of-course-exam/2330027

Idaho Small Schools May Be Exempt Under Proposed ESSA Accountability Plan
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/small-schools-may-exempt-accountability-provisions-essa-plan/

Maryland State Seeks Feedback on ESSA Plan
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-new-school-ratings-0712-20170711-story.html
Maryland Impact of State Testing Time Limits Will Vary Among Districts
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-testing-cap-20170714-story.html

Massachusetts What Today's Education Reformers Can Learn From Thoreau
http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/07/what_todays_education_reformer.html

Minnesota Students Talk About Standardized Testing -- St. Paul Federation of Teachers Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNHYPtsNBFk&feature=youtu.be

Montana Educators Criticize Fairness of Proposal for Testing Learning Disabled Students
http://missoulian.com/news/government-and-politics/educators-question-fairness-of-opi-s-proposal-for-disabled-students/article_3c4487a8-48b5-5ac2-8e6f-d90851533700.html

New York Educators Judged by Test Scores From Students, Subjects They Don't Teach
http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2017/07/13/new-data-show-more-than-half-of-nyc-teachers-judged-in-part-by-test-scores-they-dont-directly-affect/

Ohio How Graduation Testing Requirements Have Been Relaxed
http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/what-you-need-know-about-ohio-new-graduation-changes/C4K4KoZluw0no2xQ5gLsQN/
Ohio Third Graders May Be Held Back Due to Errors in Setting Test Cut-Off Scores
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/07/errors_could_unfairly_force_som.html

Oklahoma Ever-Changing State Assessment Requirements
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/education/attention-parents-of-oklahoma-students-delay-in-state-test-scores/article_17af4de7-8866-524c-96e2-f5f7f026dc9b.html

Oregon Test Scores Are the Wrong Bottom Line for Education
http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/35754947-78/test-scores-are-wrong-bottom-line-in-education.html.csp

Pennsylvania Teaching to the Test Takes Time From Real Learning
http://www.readingeagle.com/voices/article/teaching-to-the-test

Texas State Testing Data Inconsistencies Do Not Support Year-to-Year Comparisons
http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Fewer-Texas-Houston-students-pass-state-s-11286107.php

Virginia Standardized Tests To Have Smaller Influence Under Proposed New Law
http://wvtf.org/post/standardized-tests-could-have-smaller-impact-under-potential-new-law#stream/0

Washington Make Legislators Pass Fifth Grade Math Test
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article161033609.html

Wisconsin Eliminate Test-Based Barriers to Becoming a Teacher
http://bustedpencils.com/2017/07/no-status-quo-wisconsin/

University Admissions Law Deans Ask Why Their Schools Should Be Required to Use Admissions Tests
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/rather_than_accept_more_entrance_exams_some_law_school_deans_favor_eliminat