Testing Resistance & Reform News: January 18 - 24, 2017 FairTest

Testing Resistance & Reform News: January 18 - 24, 2017

The pace of assessment reform news accelerates with legislatures back in session and annual school testing drawing near. Many states are beginning to use their new flexibility under ESSA as parents, students, teachers, supervisors, school board members and community activists push for major reductions in standardized exam mandates. 

National States Balance Ambitious and Achievable in ESSA Plans
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/01/18/states-balance-ambitious-and-achievable-in-essa.html
National States Move with Caution in Pursuing Innovative Assessment Pilot Program
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/01/04/states-move-with-caution-in-weighing-essa.html
National Assessing Teacher Quality Under ESSA
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/01/04/assessing-quality-of-teaching-staff-still-complex.html

Alabama Scores From a Single Test Should Not Define "Failing" Schools
http://www.al.com/news/montgomery/index.ssf/2017/01/ours_is_not_a_failing_school_p.html

California Feds Insist State Administer Science Test Based on Old Standards
https://edsource.org/2017/u-s-education-department-rejects-californias-science-testing-plans/575684

Connecticut Student Rep Tells School Board There's Too Much Testing
http://www.centralctcommunications.com/bristolpress/article_e263ecd4-e052-11e6-b141-e3b03b534e5b.html

Florida Replace Silly, ACT/SAT-Based Teacher Bonus Plan
http://www.ocala.com/opinion/20170116/floridas-silly-teacher-bonus-plan
Florida County School Superintendent Suspends All District-Level Tests
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/clay-county-schools-suspend-all-district-level-tests/2309867
Florida Effects of Third Grade Retention on Diplomas and Student Outcomes
https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/a427e-jasper-final_dissertation-proquest.pdf

Maine School Officials Question Value of State Test
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/0001/11/30/lewiston-officials-question-value-state-tests/2062553

Mississippi State-Mandated Testing Does Students More Harm Than Good
http://www.reflector-online.com/opinion/article_c028de88-de9d-11e6-a133-37ffe3756a19.html
Mississippi Principal Loses License for Directing Staff to Cheat on Tests to Boost Scores
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2017/01/19/clarksdale-principal-given-20-year-license-ban/96774948/

Montana Conflicting Claims About Test-Score Report Accuracy
http://missoulian.com/news/government-and-politics/arntzen-claims-test-score-report-falsified-juneau-says-she-s/article_c891da65-d3b4-514b-be6f-6be1ae4b7fa5.amp.html

New York City's Selective High School Admissions Exam Gets Overhaul
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170119/cobble-hill/specialized-high-school-admissions-test

Ohio Thousands of Juniors at Risk of Not Graduating if Testing Requirements Unchanged
http://www.wtol.com/story/34292352/ohio-juniors-in-threat-of-graduating-with-new-testing-requirements
Ohio Principal Asks: What's the Purpose of So Much Testing
http://thecourier.com/local-news/2017/01/20/principal-questions-testing-requirements/

Oregon State Failed at Standardized Testing Audit
http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/35176535-78/state-failed-at-assessing-standardized-testing.html.csp

Pennsylvania Less Emphasis on Test Scores In New School Rating System
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pennsylvania-education-future-ready-pa-20170118-story.html

South Carolina State Mandated Testing Could Decrease
http://www.goupstate.com/news/20170117/state-required-testing-in-science-social-studies-could-decrease

Texas Standardized Exams Have Not Made Kids Better Prepared for College, Life
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Has-standardized-testing-a-made-kids-more-10864060.php
Texas "Students Matter" Campaign Seeks Assessment, School Funding Reforms
http://www.roysecityheraldbanner.com/news/local_news/worthy-backs-texas-students-matter-campaign/article_fc3ffb86-dcf9-11e6-a261-03766b8e564b.html

Virginia New School Quality Profiles Go Beyond Test Scores
http://wsls.com/2017/01/23/virginias-new-school-quality-profiles-show-test-scores-safety-and-quality/

Washington How Much Do Public Schools Really Spend on Testing?
http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/education-lab-iq-how-much-do-washington-schools-spend-testing-students/

West Virginia New Governor Calls for Overhaul of "A to F" School Grading System
http://wvmetronews.com/2017/01/18/state-leaders-might-follow-new-gov-jim-justices-lead-on-reforming-a-to-f-grades-for-w-va-schools/

College Admissions Immaculata University Drops ACT/SAT Requirements for Most Applicants
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2017/01/18/immaculata-drops-satact-requirement

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
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