Massachusetts has a unique opportunity to create a system of assessments and graduation requirements that develops the skills and knowledge necessary for 21st century citizenship and economy. This FairTest/MTA paper shows the way. #graduation#MCAS #MassachusettsEducation
https://ow.ly/JrWH50Xq1Jn

A familiar name in the world of standardized testing is preparing for another major shake-up. Educational Testing Service, the company best known for developing the GRE and formerly administering the SAT, plans to lay off 757 employees in California by the end of the year, according to a state filing. In a regulatory filing to state officials last week, ETS said it will end constructed-response scoring services for several state education programs — including the ELPAC, CAST, and CSA exams — effective December 31.

Company that helped create the SAT to lay off 757 California worker www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

The Changing Graduation Landscape: Portraits and Pathways - Fairtest States and districts are increasingly moving towards defining the characteristics they want to see in high school graduates in ways that capture readiness for citizenship, employment and social relations in the modern world. The development of Portraits of a Graduate at the state and local level, including examples and challenges is discussed in our report,

States & districts are moving towards defining the characteristics they want to see in graduates and modes of graduating in more practical ways. We've produced 2 reports analyzing this trend, looking at the Graduate Portraits and Multiple Pathways. Check 'em out.
https://ow.ly/uCRT50Xa67b

Graduation Test Update: States That Recently Eliminated or Scaled Back High School Exit Exams (Updated NOVEMBER 2023) - Fairtest Graduation Test Update: States That Recently Eliminated or Scaled Back High School Exit Exams (Updated November 2023) The number of states requiring high school graduation exams in language arts and math has declined rapidly over the past few years. Only nine states have graduation tests in place for the high school class of 2024, down

We've updated our landscape of state graduation exams. Only 6 states maintain high state exit exams. There is a realization that high school needs to be about building real world knowledge and skills. And ELA exams don't make kids go out and read novels.
https://ow.ly/kHb450Xa5TF

The Changing Graduation Landscape: Portraits and Pathways - Fairtest States and districts are increasingly moving towards defining the characteristics they want to see in high school graduates in ways that capture readiness for citizenship, employment and social relations in the modern world. The development of Portraits of a Graduate at the state and local level, including examples and challenges is discussed in our report,

States & districts are moving towards defining the characteristics they want to see in graduates and modes of graduating in more practical ways. We've produced 2 reports analyzing this trend, looking at the Graduate Portraits and Multiple Pathways. Check 'em out.
https://ow.ly/uCRT50Xa67b

Princeton Will Require Standardized Test Scores Again Only one Ivy League institution, Columbia University, still has a test-optional policy in place. Advocates for the policies note that the large majority of universities haven’t returned to requiring test scores.

IHE puts Princeton decision in context: what's true for Ivies not true for all. Most schools remain test free/optional and know that test scores are not great indicators of academic prowess.
https://ow.ly/x1R550Xbjw4

Better Together: Allen County Research | CIE “I wish all of our legislators could see this work because I think it would change their mind about assessment… that it is not a test score that defines [our students], but it's the work like this…. I would want them to see this work and to understand that it's for all students. At all levels, all s…

Check out what's going on in rural Allen Co., KY! As documented by CIE and UKy, assessment and accountability designed inclusively and locally produces great results. This is the buy in communities and students crave--not top down compliance induced fear.
https://ow.ly/1eXs50Xa4Y0

Graduation Test Update: States That Recently Eliminated or Scaled Back High School Exit Exams (Updated NOVEMBER 2023) - Fairtest Graduation Test Update: States That Recently Eliminated or Scaled Back High School Exit Exams (Updated November 2023) The number of states requiring high school graduation exams in language arts and math has declined rapidly over the past few years. Only nine states have graduation tests in place for the high school class of 2024, down

We've updated our landscape of state graduation exams. Only 6 states maintain high state exit exams. There is a realization that high school needs to be about building real world knowledge and skills. And ELA exams don't make kids go out and read novels.
https://ow.ly/kHb450Xa5TF

Captivating view of Hoover Tower at Stanford University framed by trees and a vibrant park.

Please read this important study by Saul Geiser of UC. HS grades better predict freshman college grades than SAT. When socioeconomics added as factor in Friedman Ivy study, conclusion that SAT is better is flipped. And tests do not help the poor and minority applicants.
https://ow.ly/Tgbw50Xbj2B

FairTest on X: "This Week's Testing News! - https://t.co/MGtaUuXedb https://t.co/YJ7HCOD96C" / X This Week's Testing News! - https://t.co/MGtaUuXedb https://t.co/YJ7HCOD96C

x.com/fairtestoffi...

There are better ways to improve meaningful outcomes in K-12 schooling than top-down, test-based accountability. Doubling down on NCLB's a bad idea. Local models grounded in community and supported by the state are the way. Check out our report (with CIE).
https://ow.ly/C26q50Xa5nb

Better Together: Allen County Research | CIE “I wish all of our legislators could see this work because I think it would change their mind about assessment… that it is not a test score that defines [our students], but it's the work like this…. I would want them to see this work and to understand that it's for all students. At all levels, all s…

Check out what's going on in rural Allen Co., KY! As documented by CIE and UKy, assessment and accountability designed inclusively and locally produces great results. This is the buy in communities and students crave--not top down compliance induced fear.
https://ow.ly/1eXs50Xa4Y0

The self-teaching epidemic in Advanced Placement classes LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Known for its rigorous classes and competitive nature, Los Alamitos High School offers many Advanced Placement classes across a range of subjects, but specifically shines in its...

lahsgriffingazette.com/26548/academ...

FairTest on X: "This Week's Testing News! - https://t.co/1OfAG8yiXg https://t.co/pZJXFiyuMG" / X This Week's Testing News! - https://t.co/1OfAG8yiXg https://t.co/pZJXFiyuMG

x.com/fairtestoffi...

Testing News for Sept.23-Sept.30! - https://mailchi.mp/fairtest/fairtest-newsletter-for-the-week-of-june23-july1-2025-12750280

They are trying to cash in on the move towards work-based graduation pathways. Without actually being an industry, other than for testing and “college prep”

I’m not so sure. Southern states are quite beholden to the AP. Unless they use it to extort a deal to mess with AP curriculum in the humanities. Their offer to the 9 universities included a demand to require testing for admissions, a bonus to CB

Hmm. But what about their stranglehold on the “college” prep curriculum and testing market and how it feeds their data bases of applicants.

David Coleman. Paragon of virtue.

Trump Escalates a Fight Over How to Measure Merit in American Education

Good analysis. For a putative populist he sure wants to stack the deck for the rich.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/u...

To Test or Not to Test? What Research Has to Say About the SAT and ACT A new research review provides insight into the debate over the use of the SAT and ACT in college admissions decisions.

A new research review provides insight into the debate over the use of the SAT and ACT in college admissions decisions. @fairtest.bsky.social bit.ly/4m81vtW

Accountability should serve students—not systems.

This paper by from C!E and
@fairtest.bsky.social lifts up real models where local communities lead, states support, and learning—not compliance—is the goal.

A must-read for anyone ready to rethink assessment.
bit.ly/3HZBHAY

Sal Khan and AI Reimagined Schools: Questions and Concerns - Nancy Bailey's Education Website Recently, 60 Minutes showcased Sal Khan, known for the popular Khan Academy, describing Sal Khan's Khanmigo, a new AI-powered program promising to revolutionize teaching by giving students an online personal tutor. Here's Khan's TED talk, "How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education," Khanmigo's format, feedback, and human-like online conversation and interactions are clever and innovative.

Sal Khan and AI Reimagined Schools: Questions and Concerns - Ran again last night... #EduSky nancyebailey.com/2025/01/27/s...

Timed Tests Don’t Measure Aptitude, They Measure Speed and Memorization

Let’s listen to the kids who take this crap. Doesn’t measure knowledge or skills other than tomed test taking www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/l...

The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential Calls to reprioritize standardized tests in college admissions have sparked debate over the merits of the exams.

Study shows ACT & SAT "reflect privilege more than potential." HS GPA "outperforms standardized tests in predicting college success." #StandardizedTesting #EducationEquity #CollegeAdmissions
ow.ly/H68Y50WbHWC

The Full Measure of a School Student test scores tell only part of the story. Observations can round out the narrative.

The case for qualitative reviews or "school inspections" as a way to determine school quality and guide improvement. Test scores don't tell the story. Structured expert visits and constructive feedback should be normal practice.

www.educationnext.org/full-measure...

But how would you monetize that, Annie? Gotta have coin on the table for DC and the College Board to play ball.

College Admissions Are Rigged for the Rich. Trump’s Officials Say, “Keep It That Way.” On February 14, Trump administration officials at the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education released guidance in the form of a

Excellent analysis from Century Foundation. If Dear Colleague letter followed and SAT scores become the dominant metric for admissions, college socioeconomic diversity collapses. Remain true to your missions higher ed, or earn the disdain of all but the wealthy.
tcf.org/content/comm...

#eduprising #qualityeducation #newmexicoeducation | FairTest Harry Feder, FairTest ED, presented at the EdUprising Conference in Albuquerque on March 7 with Alisa Diehl of the New Mexico Center on Law & Poverty and named…

www.linkedin.com/posts/fairte...

FairTest on LinkedIn: The March SAT Test Crisis: What Happened And How Students Can Navigate The… College Board shows its standard monopolist customer service in its botched March SAT administration. Programming error submitted student math section at 11AM…

www.linkedin.com/posts/fairte...