If the issues were not so serious, watching test-and-punish advocates backpedal in the face of the rapidly growing testing resistance movement would be great entertainment. From U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan crying crocodile tears about the impacts of the very policies he advocated, to Rhode Island Commissioner Deborah Grist’s sudden embrace of an even longer suspension of the graduation testing requirements she long defended, to Florida Governor Rick Scott promising a commission to review the testing overkill his political allies imposed (a stalling tactic also adopted by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie), politicians are beginning to wake up to the power of grassroots activism. At the same time, courageous local leaders — such as a Colorado Superintendent, several Florida school committees and the Vermont State Board of Education — are pushing the envelope by calling for a moratorium on standardized testing to allow for development of better assessments.
No question that 2014-2015 is going to be a most exciting school year for assessment reformers as PBS education reporter John Merrow makes clear in his predictions!
Colorado District Superintendent Wants to End Standardized Testing
http://gazette.com/superintendent-wants-to-end-standardized-testing-in-d-11/article/1536136
Feds Tell Florida: Test English Language Learners in English ASAP
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/state-and-feds-in-a-showdown-over-when-to-test-students-still-learning/2193627
Palm Beach School Board Considers Opting Out From Florida State Testing
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/palm-beach-county-school-board-wants-opt-out-standardized-testing
Hundreds Endorse Lee County Opt-Out Petition (now almost 1000 signers)
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2014/08/20/opt-out-petition-gathering-signatures/14357851/
Florida Lags on ACT . . . Again
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2014/08/20/florida-lags-on-act-scores-again/14329565/
Governor Calls for Review of Florida Standardized Testing Policies
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/politics/gov-rick-scott-calls-for-review-of-florida-standardized-tests_34082712
Undermining Kindergarten in Illinois, One Test at a Time
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/29358972-452/undermining-kindergarten-one-test-at-a-time.html#.U_VEH15a-hM
Chicago Teachers Report on How to Organize a Test Boycott
http://www.livingindialogue.com/starve-testing-beast-chicago-teachers-show-us-organize-test-boycott/
Illinois Super Tells Parents What Matters Most in Education
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/08/25/superintendent-tells-parents-what-matters-most-and-its-not-common-core/
New Massachusetts Teachers Union Head: How Tests Are Failing Our Schools
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/article/2014/08/26/barbara-madeloni-massachusetts-teachers-association-president/
Concerns Grow as New Mexico Shifts to Computerized Testing
http://www.ruidosonews.com/ruidoso-news/ci_26367421/state-testing-public-schools-goes-digital
New Mexico Teachers Say State Evaluation System Does Not Effectively Measure Performance
http://krwg.org/post/teachers-say-state-evaluation-system-does-not-effectively-measure-performance
Why New York State Common Core Test Scores Should Be Ignored
http://www.alternet.org/education/why-new-york-states-common-core-test-scores-should-be-ignored
Final Opt-Out Numbers Show Movement Jumped in New York City
http://ny.chalkbeat.org/2014/08/19/final-opt-out-numbers-show-movement-jumped-in-city/#.U_SWkBYXNrs
Wanted: The Whole Truth About New York State Exams
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/wanted-truth-state-tests-article-1.1910722
Rhode Island Commissioner Back Tracks: Now Supports Longer Delay in Grad Test Requirement
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/education/20140825-r.i.-education-commissioner-gist-recommends-delay-in-test-based-graduation-requirement-poll.ece
Texas Suspends Math Grade Promotion Test Requirement
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-education/state-suspends-staar-math-requirement-for-grades-3/ng7YR/
Vermont Calls on Feds to Overhaul NCLB Testing Policy
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140822/NEWS03/708229936
See Vermont State Board of Education Resolution
Click to access EDU-SBE_AssmntAcct_Adpted081914.pdf
Vermont Secretary of Education Speaks Out Against Standardized Testing
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2014/08/23/vermont-education-secretary-pushes-back-testing/14469139/
Federal Stubbornness Falsely Labels Washington Schools as “Failing”
http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/272344131.html#
Parents Want an End to the Testing Obsession
http://neatoday.org/2014/08/20/poll-parents-want-an-end-to-the-testing-obsession/
Kindergarten “Sweat Shop” Testing Frenzy Comes Under Fire
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/22/kindergarten-sweat-shop-testing-frenzy-comes-under/
Predictions for the New School Year: Growing Resistance to High-Stakes Testing Tops the List
http://takingnote.learningmatters.tv/?p=7151
Duncan Offers States One-Year Postponement on Test-Based Teacher Evaluation
See FairTest News Release
http://fairtest.org/fairtest%E2%80%99s-reaction-proposal-postpone-testbased-te
Administrators Pledge Ethical Treatment of Children Whose Families Choose to Opt Out
http://www.livingindialogue.com/administrators-pledge-ethical-treatment-students-opt/
Report Urges Fewer Tests, More Peer Review
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2014/08/accountability_report_urges_fe.html
Education News: Groundhog Day All Over Again?
http://www.reformer.com/opinion/ci_26390022/groundhog-day-all-over-again
Standardized Testing Is Really Great: Two Poems
http://www.examiner.com/article/standardized-testing-is-really-great-2-poems
Public TV Airs Two Videos Showing Excellent Schools Using Healthy Assessment (check websites for dates, times and channels)
http://augusttojune.com/
http://www.goodmorningmissionhill.com/
Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office- (239) 395-6773 fax- (239) 395-6779
mobile- (239) 696-0468
web- http://www.fairtest.org
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Testing fatigue across the board.
The only response I am going to get in St. Louis for this, is being clobbered by right wingers…but something is amiss, here. The Normandy school which was kicked around by the state board in Michael Brown’s senior year had the lowest scores in the state on testing…7.2…..next lowest was state operated slps…43.2. Nicastro is the state commissioner……
Normandy test scores..Fbi investigation of Nicastro needed!!
Next to lowest scores were from the st. Louis district taken over by the state in 2007.(43.2). Lowest were Normandy. (7.1).
How convenient is that, for Nicastro and the state board which took over, and changed the financial and accreditation rules, while cancelling all teachers contracts.
I can hear the right wing gearing up to cheer, already…..yeah! blow up thedamned place that just graduated Michael Brown, and knock the holy stuffing out of those greedy teachers.
Nicastro will have large gains to prove how smart they all are next year.
People would do better to take a closer look at how the state is handling slps.
No telling what sort of stunts were pulled to hand that 7.1 figure to Nicastro and the state board…….part of it would probably be the loss of the students who exercised their “choice” to get out of there.
It is resegregation, the manipulation of those students rises to the level of needing to be investigated by the fbi on the basis of civil rights.
Or you could blame it all on teachers….especially experienced teachers making too much money…..
Again, I think of Marvin Gaye…and wonder…..what’s goin on.
This is just a little too convenient for the state board and nicastro.
http://interact.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1050963
Right now the testing fiasco is barely hanging on, in my humble opinion, because of the lack of ideas to change the system and philosophy with a design to serve all kids. The promotion of such a philosophy, as described in my upcoming book, will be the knock out blow. Without it, they will hang on by default or simply present a warmed up version of the same thing after it collapses.
In order to fix the fundamental problem of education we must go where no one has gone before. We must abandon the system developed in the late 1800’s designed to “rake a few geniuses from the rubbish” as Jefferson said, and embrace a whole new way of thinking about education. We must adopt a philosophy of education that prepares all children for their future.
Yes prepare them for the university but also prepare them for their future especially for those who aren’t afraid of getting there hands dirty. A former student of mine, Willie, was way above average in reading and math. Definately college material. But he learned from his experience with our business partner, Will Allen and Growing Power that he loved working with his hands. After high school he joined the army and after a stint in Korea,he became a welder. And he loves it.
we are very proud of him and, no, we are not ashamed of his profession or any other one where young people can work with their hands. They must follow their passion and not one that educators, tiger moms or anyone else chooses for them. Empower kids to take charge of their educational lives. Empower parents to be full partners with their kids in their decisions. And empower teachers to take back their profession.
Look for my book “Brainstorming Common Core” due out in November or December. http://www.wholechildreform.com
The standardized testing movement is doomed to fail as a both a means and measure of “reforming” public education. The death knell can’t sound soon enough.
Great article on Barbara madeloni. She is absolutely great! As a resident of Mass I am glad we have her. I hope her words spread far beyond my state.
Listen to her if you haven’t already!
Yes, indeed. Diane – I think the Madeloni piece is worth a post of its own.
Dienne, that post is already written!
Why vote between 2 known liars? Florida, we are fortunate enough not to be stuck picking one liar or the other this time. We actually have an alternative. Take advantage of the opportunity. Adrian Wyllie deserves my vote. He is a honest average Floridian just as you and I , that is willing to stand up and do something for the interest of all of us here in Florida. The other candidates both Republican and Democrat are owned and controlled by special interest, like puppets and will lie to your face to gain your vote, then continue the same old agenda that we complain about year after year. Time to get off this merry-go-round, election after election, thinking it will be any different. Take a stand, vote for the candidate that loves this state and is willing to take time out of his life, effort and money to SERVE the people of Florida and stop voting for these ‘paid for’ career politicians that are only out for money and fame and have zero interest in us Floridians. Even if it’s just for honesty alone, vote for Adrian Wyllie instead of the other two (Scott/Crist) which are proven liars. The choice is yours and yours alone, if you want the same old corruption and slap in the face, go ahead and vote for one of the two puppets (Scott/Crist) OR do what is right for our (yours and your children’s) future and vote for Adrian Wyllie. Support him by donating to his campaign, spreading the word and contribute to the super brochure program which I think is very powerful. Visit his website today.
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-education/state-suspends-staar-math-requirement-for-grades-3/ng7YR/
In regard to Bill Hammond’s remark in this article, I would like to point out that Bill Hammond is the President of Texas Business Association and he also serves as a lobbyist for Pearson. Talk about conflict of interest and dirty dealing!!!
Bill Hammond doesn’t know the difference between rigor and age inappropriate test expectations, nor does he have empathy to understand the STAAR abuse to Texas children. He was a bully to his own children when they were young, and now that they’ve left home, he seems to get some twisted pleasure from bullying the school children of Texas. He depended on his wife’s connections to get him elected to his previous legislative position, and how he depends on dirty Texas politics to feather his nest. Bill Hammond is “all hat and no cattle” and an immature Mama’s boy bully!