/resistance-to-testing Resistance to Testing en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:01:18 GMT /teaching-learning/standardized-tests-could-be-in-jeopardy-in-wake-of-biden-decisions-experts-say/2021/07 Has the Biden administration shored up statewide tests this year only to risk undermining long-term public backing for them? Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:01:18 GMT /teaching-learning/standardized-tests-could-be-in-jeopardy-in-wake-of-biden-decisions-experts-say/2021/07 /teaching-learning/how-two-years-of-pandemic-disruption-could-shake-up-the-debate-over-standardized-testing/2021/03 Moves to opt out of state tests and change how they're given threaten to reignite fights over high-stakes assessments. Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:27:25 GMT /teaching-learning/how-two-years-of-pandemic-disruption-could-shake-up-the-debate-over-standardized-testing/2021/03 /policy-politics/anti-test-movement-slows-to-a-crawl/2018/07 ESSA locked federal testing mandates in place, participation is ticking up in key states, and the opt-out movement has been overshadowed by funding, teacher pay, and other battles. Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:35:58 GMT /policy-politics/anti-test-movement-slows-to-a-crawl/2018/07 /teaching-learning/video-deep-dive-discussion-assessment-and-testing/2018/04 In this half-hour discussion, Education Week veteran reporter Catherine Gewertz facilitates a conversation with school and district-level leaders around testing. Among the issues tackled: the pressure to reduce testing, federal accountability around testing, and alignment. Catherine Gewertz is a reporter covering assessment and pathways from the middle grades to high school and beyond. Since joining Education Week in 1999, she has been the lead common-core reporter and has covered urban schools. Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:26:00 GMT /teaching-learning/video-deep-dive-discussion-assessment-and-testing/2018/04 /policy-politics/inside-essa-plans-how-do-states-want-to-handle-testing-opt-outs/2017/10 Opting out of mandated tests has been a hot potato for years, and states are taking various approaches to the issue in their Every Student Succeeds Act plans. Mon, 02 Oct 2017 11:26:55 GMT /policy-politics/inside-essa-plans-how-do-states-want-to-handle-testing-opt-outs/2017/10 /teaching-learning/opinion-does-essa-actually-require-95-participation-on-state-assessments/2016/09 While the ESSA unquestionably requires the states to administer yearly assessments in mathematics and reading, it does not actually require 95% student participation on those tests. Instead, as currently written, it requires 95% student participation on some other, completely different set of nonexistent assessments. Congress might want to consider hiring a few more proofreaders. Fri, 30 Sep 2016 16:17:30 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-does-essa-actually-require-95-participation-on-state-assessments/2016/09 /policy-politics/states-with-high-opt-out-rates-brace-for-possible-penalties/2016/08 The U.S. Department of Education hasn't decided how to penalize states where large numbers of students have opted-out of annual tests. Wed, 24 Aug 2016 01:12:49 GMT /policy-politics/states-with-high-opt-out-rates-brace-for-possible-penalties/2016/08 /teaching-learning/leaders-in-n-y-flip-flop-on-common-core-opt-outs/2016/04 Pressure stemming from the testing opt-out movement has led to some heated debate in the Empire State involving standards and the use of student scores in teacher evaluations. Tue, 12 Apr 2016 16:43:07 GMT /teaching-learning/leaders-in-n-y-flip-flop-on-common-core-opt-outs/2016/04 /teaching-learning/for-states-question-is-to-time-tests-or-not/2016/02 While New York state recently opted to drop time limits on its tests, Texas is ending a 35-year policy of untimed testing. Wed, 24 Feb 2016 02:48:29 GMT /teaching-learning/for-states-question-is-to-time-tests-or-not/2016/02 /policy-politics/test-participation-mandate-puts-states-on-spot/2016/01 Despite the rise of the testing opt-out movement, states are still on the hook to assure that 95 percent of eligible students take state exams in English/language arts and math. Wed, 27 Jan 2016 02:30:14 GMT /policy-politics/test-participation-mandate-puts-states-on-spot/2016/01 /policy-politics/opt-out-activists-aim-to-build-on-momentum-in-states/2016/01 Though testing mandates remain under ESSA, those aiming to rein in assessments say the new law's flexibility for states may work to their advantage. Thu, 14 Jan 2016 18:25:16 GMT /policy-politics/opt-out-activists-aim-to-build-on-momentum-in-states/2016/01 /policy-politics/opt-out-rates-could-significantly-distort-state-accountability-in-esea-deal/2015/11 There's a test-participation requirement in the draft to reauthorize federal education law, but that doesn't tell the full story. Mon, 23 Nov 2015 20:32:12 GMT /policy-politics/opt-out-rates-could-significantly-distort-state-accountability-in-esea-deal/2015/11 /teaching-learning/for-gates-same-agenda-draws-support-critiques/2015/10 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's plan to stay the course on education won praise for steadfastness and renewed some old criticism. Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:41:33 GMT /teaching-learning/for-gates-same-agenda-draws-support-critiques/2015/10 /policy-politics/state-tests-due-fresh-scrutiny-as-peer-review-relaunches/2015/10 The U.S. Department of Education has relaunched one of the most powerful tools it wields over states' academic standards and assessments: the "peer review" process that had been suspended for three years. Wed, 07 Oct 2015 02:57:16 GMT /policy-politics/state-tests-due-fresh-scrutiny-as-peer-review-relaunches/2015/10 /teaching-learning/opinion-the-opt-out-movement-is-gaining-momentum/2015/06 The building opt-out movement signals a need for K-12 policymakers to improve family engagement, argue Michael P. Evans and Andrew Saultz. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:38:38 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-the-opt-out-movement-is-gaining-momentum/2015/06 /leadership/opinion-the-power-of-parents-is-on-display-in-opt-outs/2015/06 Resistance to mandated tests, especially from parents of children with special needs, is reaching a breaking point in many districts, writes Rebecca Page Johnson. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:38:21 GMT /leadership/opinion-the-power-of-parents-is-on-display-in-opt-outs/2015/06 /policy-politics/opinion-when-students-opt-out-what-are-the-policy-implications/2015/06 The opt-out movement has an impact on K-12 accountability, but it's complicated, write researchers Jessica K. Beaver and Lucas Westmaas. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:38:10 GMT /policy-politics/opinion-when-students-opt-out-what-are-the-policy-implications/2015/06 /teaching-learning/opinion-q-a-an-early-opt-out-talks-about-school-without-tests/2015/06 Twelve years after opting their children out of testing, Fred and Catherine Hamel interview their daughter on her experience. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:37:52 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-q-a-an-early-opt-out-talks-about-school-without-tests/2015/06 /teaching-learning/opinion-test-taking-compliance-does-not-ensure-equity/2015/06 Parents have a civil right to opt out of testing when children's K-12 needs go unmet, write Judith Browne Dianis, John H. Jackson, and Pedro Noguera. Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:37:28 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-test-taking-compliance-does-not-ensure-equity/2015/06 /teaching-learning/opinion-how-does-the-opt-out-movement-intend-to-close-achievement-gaps/2015/06 The opt-out movement is right to call for a richer, more authentic learning experience. It's wrong to stay silent on the educational inequality that makes testing necessary, Cristina Duncan Evans say. Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:00:27 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-how-does-the-opt-out-movement-intend-to-close-achievement-gaps/2015/06 /teaching-learning/opinion-teachers-have-no-voice-or-choice-in-testing-so-why-would-they-support-it/2015/05 Public school educators have knowledge and expertise that should be welcomed into policy debates, says Deb McCarthy, and that means the teaching profession benefits from the opt-out movement. Fri, 22 May 2015 03:08:07 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-teachers-have-no-voice-or-choice-in-testing-so-why-would-they-support-it/2015/05 /teaching-learning/opinion-what-the-opt-out-movement-teaches-students/2015/05 There is a frightening new sentiment in the education world these days that it is OK for students to pick and choose what they participate in, Marika Heughins argues. Thu, 21 May 2015 23:00:43 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-what-the-opt-out-movement-teaches-students/2015/05 /teaching-learning/opinion-standardized-testing-has-created-an-unfair-burden-on-public-schools/2015/05 If the opt-out movement can shed light and focus attention on the injustices public schools face, Bill Ivey says, then he is 100 percent in support of it. Thu, 21 May 2015 01:23:04 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-standardized-testing-has-created-an-unfair-burden-on-public-schools/2015/05 /teaching-learning/opinion-why-the-opt-out-movement-wont-fix-testing/2015/05 Opting out is a passive response that hopes to incite change through causing inconvenience, rather than driving meaningful reform, Ken Mattingly writes. Wed, 20 May 2015 15:20:41 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-why-the-opt-out-movement-wont-fix-testing/2015/05 /teaching-learning/opinion-q-a-with-sir-ken-robinson/2015/05 Sir Ken Robinson shares his thoughts on student engagement and testing, the future of teacher education programs, and why vocational education matters. Wed, 20 May 2015 02:51:14 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-q-a-with-sir-ken-robinson/2015/05 /teaching-learning/opt-out-push-gains-traction-amid-common-core-testing/2015/05 Activists urging parents to opt their children out of tests aligned to the Common Core State Standards hope to build on momentum in states like New York. Tue, 05 May 2015 16:45:33 GMT /teaching-learning/opt-out-push-gains-traction-amid-common-core-testing/2015/05 /teaching-learning/opinion-the-network-for-public-education-repeat-public/2015/04 When I say "movement" to save public education, what I mean is this: People, like me, who have no particular resources or organizational funding/backing, who got on a plane to be in a room with those like-minded compadres--because they're terrified that America might lose public education. People who think it's not too late. People willing to stake their professional energy on doing right by all kids, keeping democratic equality as critical and central goal of the education system. Thu, 30 Apr 2015 16:50:24 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-the-network-for-public-education-repeat-public/2015/04 /leadership/opinion-why-arent-more-school-leaders-and-teachers-joining-forces-to-get-rid-of-destructive-policy/2015/04 If your district has a genuine professional collaboration model--different work, but same level of respect and influence for teachers and school leaders--that's admirable. So--are you working together to advocate for change? Or merely going through the motions of Schooling 2015? Why aren't teachers, parents and school leaders everywhere joining forces to put a stop to the worst of it--the selling off of public resources to for-profit CMOs, teacher evaluation by test data, and loss of local control over core work: curriculum, instruction, assessment? Fri, 24 Apr 2015 01:13:02 GMT /leadership/opinion-why-arent-more-school-leaders-and-teachers-joining-forces-to-get-rid-of-destructive-policy/2015/04 /teaching-learning/opinion-michigan-math-teacher-no-way-are-my-children-taking-the-mstep-tests/2015/04 To my students: I am so, so sorry. To their parents: please get informed about your options. My own children will not be taking this test. They will be opted out. I will not stand by as hours of instructional time is lost to a test that will not reveal any new information about my child. Sat, 11 Apr 2015 14:48:39 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-michigan-math-teacher-no-way-are-my-children-taking-the-mstep-tests/2015/04 /policy-politics/states-seek-guidance-in-face-of-opt-out-push/2015/03 A flurry of parents seeking to opt their children out of new common-core-aligned assessments has some states asking federal officials to clarify test-participation mandates. Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:11:27 GMT /policy-politics/states-seek-guidance-in-face-of-opt-out-push/2015/03