Weekly Testing Resistance Roundup

Last weekend’s Network for Public Education conference in Austin provided another boost for the growing power of campaigns to overhaul school testing policies — many plenaries and workshops addressed assessment issues. This week’s large batch of clips shows the breadth and depth of the movement.

The Rising Tide of Opt Outs
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2014/03/opting_out_of_testing.html

States Look to Curb Standardized Tests: Opposition Forces Gain Ground
http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-468842/ (may be behind paywall for some visitors)

Sign Up for the “Testing Resistance & Reform Spring” Action Network Today
http://tinyurl.com/TestingReformSpring

“Refuse the Test” — A Superb Video from New York, Which Can Easily Be Adapted for Other States

Chicago is Focal Point for Testing Resistance
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-chicago-testing-isat-met-20140303,0,4606022.story
Teachers Say No to State Test After Parents Promise Opt-Out Campaign
http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/notebook/2014/02/25/65690/teachers-saucedo-say-no-state-tests
Second Chicago School Joins ISAT Boycott
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-2nd-cps-school-votes-to-boycott-state-assessment-test-20140228,0,3961031.story
Chicago Parents Organize Coalition to Support State Test Boycott
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/parentsandthepublic/2014/02/chicago_parents_form_coalition_to_support_state_test_boycott.html
Don’t Sit for the Illinois State Achievement Test: A Parent’s Essay
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-farmer/dont-sit-for-the-isat_b_4867597.html
Chicago Teachers Union President on the Impact of Testing on Classrooms
http://www.ctunet.com/blog/the-impact-of-testing-and-natural-inequality-on-our-classrooms

California Resists Obama-Duncan Test-Driven Education Schemes
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/02/26/22kerchner.h33.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

Seattle Teacher Leaders Vow Boycott of New Test
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/seattle-teachers-vow-to-boycott-a-new-standardized-test/Content?oid=18966894

National Education Experts Submit Testimony Against Rhode Island High-Stakes Testing
http://www.riaclu.org/news/post/national-experts-submit-legislative-testimony-against-high-stakes-testing
Providence Superintendent Opposes Using Test to Determine High School Graduation
http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140227-providence-superintendent-comes-out-against-necap-as-graduation-requirement-poll.ece

Florida Educators Blast Damaging Assessments of Learning Disabled Children

Gates Foundation Opposes Release of Teachers’ “Value Added” Scores
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/02/27/gates-foundation-opposes-release-of-teachers-vam-scores-in-florida/
Florida Democratic Legislators Seek Three-Year Postponement of Test-Based School Grades
http://www.postonpolitics.com/2014/02/democrats-want-a-three-year-pause-on-statewide-school-testing/

Maryland Seeks Three-Year Delay of Fed. Requirement to Evaluate Teachers by Student Test Scores
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/blog/bs-md-teacher-evaluation-extension-20140225,0,1733547.story

Connecticut Parents Seek Guarantee They Can Opt Children Out of Testing
http://www.nhregister.com/social-affairs/20140227/connecticut-parents-seek-guarantee-they-can-opt-students-out-of-standardized-tests

New York Politicos Try to Deflect Common Core Testing Backlash
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/cynical-cuomo-tisch-common-core-tug-of-war-article-1.1701475
Long Islanders Plan “I Refuse: The Great American Opt Out Rally”

NYC School Chancellor Suggests Book to Calm Testing Nerves
http://www.wnyc.org/story/state-tests-approaching-chancellor-urges-humor/

New Jersey Republican Legislative Leader Says, “Time to Stop the Testing Madness”
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20140228/OPINION02/302280007

Newspaper Shows Oklahoma Parents How to Opt Out of Unnecessary Testing
http://southcountyleader.com/bixbybulletin/parents-may-opt-out-of-unnecessary-testing-for-their-children/article_30b369d6-9f11-11e3-bcf3-001a4bcf887a.html

Group Urges Albuquerque to Opt Out of Bubble Tests
http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/group-urges-aps-parents-to-opt-out-of-bubble-tests/24786102

Nebraska Penalizes Contractor for Computerized Exam Failures
http://journalstar.com/news/local/education/problems-with-state-tests-must-be-solved-before-moving-forward/article_9e9988fc-4a84-5820-95fc-cdd4c911b158.html

How Test-Based “Accountability” Undermined the Teaching Breakdown
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/top_performers/2014/02/the_failure_of_test-based_accountability.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

Children Are Being Bullied By Politicians Obsessed by Standardized Tests
http://drjamesarnold.blogspot.com/2014/02/your-kid-is-being-bullied-but-not-in.html

School “Data Walls” May Violate Federal Privacy Walls
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/02/21/how-some-school-data-walls-violate-u-s-privacy-law/

Why School Isn’t for Children Anymore
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/03/03/why-school-isnt-for-children-anymore-teacher/

State Standardized Tests Feed a Propaganda Machine
http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice/another-voice-state-standardized-tests-feed-an-industrial-propaganda-machine-20140302

Private School Testing Fears Mirror Frustrations of Public School Parents
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-fcat-florida-private-schools-scott-maxwell-20140225,0,2904115.column

The Problem with Using the ACT (or SAT) as a High School Exit Exam
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/02/26/standardized-testing-mississippi-house-bill-767-act-
Some Employers Demand SAT Scores for Misuse in Hiring Decisions
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303636404579395220334268350

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

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