Here is the weekly report from FairTest on the progress of the movement to reform and resist standardized testing:

 

Bob Schaeffer of FairTest writes:

 

“What a week! A national poll concludes that a majority of parents are critical of standardized exam overkill; more minority parents, students and educators speak out against test misuse; yet another state’s computerized testing system collapses; and the opt-out movement continues to grow in breadth and depth. No wonder more state and local education policy-makers are beginning to heed the message: “Enough is enough!”

 

“National Most Parents Say “Too Much Emphasis on Standardized Testing,” According to New Poll
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/education/most_parents_say_no_to_standardized_testing
“National Race and the Standardized Testing Wars: More Minority Stakeholders Criticize Exams

National Pathways to New Accountability Through the Every Student Succeeds Act

Pathways to New Accountability Through the Every Student Succeeds Act

 

“Arizona Buyer Beware When it Comes to Conclusions Drawn From Test Scores
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2016/04/22/buyer-beware-when-it-comes-to-educational-studies-statistics-and-conclusions

 

“California Test-Based “Accountability” System Hurt Equity
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_california/2016/04/how_accountability_can_help_or_hurt_equity.html

 

“Connecticut A Failed Application of Standardized Testing
http://m.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Wendy-Lecker-A-failed-application-of-7251515.php
Connecticut Using Standardized Exam Scores to Evaluate Teachers Won’t Solve Anything
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/op-ed_using_standardized_test_scores_to_evaluate_teachers_wont_solve_proble/

 

“Florida Parents Press for Opt-Out Rights Despite School District Push Back
http://news.wgcu.org/post/parents-and-districts-spar-over-right-opt-out-standardized-tests
Florida Superintendent Sets Up Committee to Review Testing Opt-Out Protocols
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/pasco-schools-superintendent-plans-committee-to-review-testing-protocols/2274204

 

“Florida State’s Teacher Bonus Plan Deserves an “F”
http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20160423/OPINION/160429771/101027

 

“Georgia School Policies for Dealing With Opt Outs Vary
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Schools-handling-your-option-to-opt-out-of-testing-376708681.html
Georgia Schools Struggle with Computer Problems with Milestone Tests
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/schools-struggle-with-computer-problems-with-miles/nrB3k/

 

“Idaho No Permission Form Needed to Opt Out of Testing
http://www.tetonvalleynews.net/news/parents-are-still-able-to-opt-out-of-standardized-testing/article_cbc8a14c-07de-11e6-8e04-e78a06072e04.html

 

“Indiana Parents Want Say in New State Testing Policy
http://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/education/2016/04/19/parents-want-say-isteps-replacement/82991064/
Indiana More Problems With ISTEP Computerized Testing
http://www.jconline.com/story/news/education/2016/04/21/istep-test-part-deux/83343720/

 

“Iowa Why Low Test Scores Don’t Equate to Failing Schools
http://www.qconline.com/opinion/letters/letter-why-test-scores-don-t-equate-to-failing-schools/article_6294ae25-1f35-557b-86ba-aff984ec40bd.html

 

“Kentucky Less Testing, More Art in Proposed School Accountability Plan
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2016/04/21/public-less-testing-more-art-ed-accountability/83293464/

 

“Maryland School Board Considers Policy to Honor All Test Refusal Requests
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/education/schools/public_k-12/school-board-considers-policy-that-test-refusals-must-be-honored/article_b125d3cd-c67c-51b0-ab9f-844aa870921a.html

 

“Massachusetts Demonstration Supports Opt-Out Movement
http://wbsm.com/parcc-demonstration-outside-new-bedford-school-department-building-brians-beat-video/
Massachusetts Teachers Speak Up Against Standardized Exams
http://cohasset.wickedlocal.com/article/20160425/NEWS/160428661
Massachusetts School Committee Member Refuses Standardized Testing for Her Child
http://valleypatriot.com/school-committeeman-refuses-standardized-testing-for-her-child/

 

“Mississippi More to Learning Than Standardized Exams
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/apr/20/more-learning-standardized-testing/
Mississippi Test-Prep is Widespread for State Exams

Teachers prepare students for testing in variety of ways

 

“Missouri Tests Can Be Flawed Learning Indicators
http://www.news-leader.com/story/opinion/columnists/david-hough/2016/04/20/tests-can-flawed-learning-indicators/83231354/

 

“New Jersey State’s PARCC Test Joins Growing List of Computer Exams Plagued by Technical Failures
http://www.nj.com/education/2016/04/nj_parcc_joins_growing_list_of_exams_plagued_by_co.html
New Jersey How Pearson Plans to Avoid Another Testing Crash
http://www.nj.com/education/2016/04/pearson_parcc_test_crash.html
New Jersey Why PARCC Testing Should Not Be Required for Graduation
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/chatham/categories/letters-to-the-editor/articles/chatham-mom-says-parcc-testing-should-not-be-requ

 

“Ohio Standardized Tests Don’t Accurately Measure Academic Strength
http://www.thepostathens.com/opinion/ed-talks-standardized-tests-don-t-accurately-measure-academic-strength/article_85cd537c-0667-11e6-8771-4b44a3d2b663.html
Ohio Value-Added School Rating Process May Be Evaluated
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/04/26/ohio-legislators-hope-to-pin-down-value-added-rating-for-students.html

 

“Oklahoma Parents Opt Students Out of State Testing
http://ktul.com/news/local/parents-opt-students-out-of-state-testing

 

“Oregon Students Again Opt Out En Masse
http://pamplinmedia.com/lor/48-news/303512-181388-lohs-students-again-opt-out-en-masse

 

“Pennsylvania Opt-Out Growth Shows Need for Testing Overhaul
http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/as-more-students-opt-out-it-becomes-even-clearer-that/article_ca3736ba-08d1-11e6-a715-2fff2019a8ef.html
Pennsylvania Time to End Testing Season’s Damaging Impact on Public Schools
http://www.ldnews.com/story/opinion/2016/04/21/s-standardized-testing-season-pennsylvania/83339264/
Pennsylvania Should Judge Schools Based on Inspections, Not Test Scores

Ideas We Should Steal: Judging schools based on inspections—not test scores

 

“South Carolina District Requires Children to Reaffirm Parents Decision to Opt Out
http://www.conservativesoftheupstate.com/2016/04/school-district-of-pickens-county-may.html

 

“Tennessee State Exam Fails Test for Third Time
http://www.t-g.com/story/2298530.html
Tennessee TNReady Has Been a Complete Disaster
http://www.knoxnews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/tnready-has-been-a-complete-disaster-3107703a-44cc-04df-e053-0100007f0fd6-376648571.html

 

“Texas District Finds Flaws in State Test Grading

Test Score Woes in Lewisville Could Signal More STAAR Trouble Across Texas

Texas Union Sues to Block Test-Based Teacher Evaluation Law
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/union-sues-to-block-texas-teacher-evaluation-chang/nq8WC/

 

“ACT/SAT Whittier College Adopts Test-Optional Policy
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/social-affairs/20160421/your-bad-sat-score-wont-stop-whittier-college-from-admitting-you-in-the-future

 

“ACT/SAT Impact of New Khan Academy Test Prep Program is Unproven

Khan Academy, College Board create an SAT practice program, but impact unclear

 

“The Miseducation of Democrats for Education Reform
https://jamaalabowman.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/the-mis-education-of-shavar-jefferies-and-democrats-for-education-reform/

 

“How High-Stakes Testing Inhibits K-12 Innovation
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-04-20-reassessing-the-assessment-has-high-stakes-testing-inhibited-k-12-innovation

 

“Don’t Wait For an Act of Congress to Speak Out on Testing
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/04/20/474369584/a-union-firebrand-speaks-out-on-politics-testing-and-more

 

“Network for Public Education Teacher Evaluation Infographic

Network for Public Education Teacher Evaluation Report Infographic

 

 

“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”