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
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