Beyond the Scantron: Tests and Equity in Today’s Schools
By Dale Chu The George W. Bush Institute recently produced an informative and highly engaging 13-piece series examining the importance of high-quality assessments and why they continue to be an essential guardrail for educational equity and excellence. The conversations reflect an assortment of expert voices on how assessments are designed, how they are deployed, how […]
The fat lady of testing hasn’t sung yet
By Dale Chu Moments ago, the U.S. Department of Education appeared to shoot down the testing waiver requests submitted by states like Georgia and Michigan while potentially deterring those currently in the works in other states. In a strongly worded letter sent today to state chiefs by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, she writes, […]
When it comes to testing waivers, some won’t take no for an answer
By Dale Chu Last month, a top deputy to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos indicated it would be premature to cancel state testing in 2021, saying, “Our instinct would not be to give those waivers.” His comments came on the heels of considerable buzz in Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina et al. that have already […]
Take Five for Testing
There’s been a lot happening in the world of assessment. In case you missed any of it, here’s a quick recap of five stories: States have started lining up for 2021 testing waivers We all suspected it was bound to happen, but who knew it would happen so soon? Georgia was the first to signal […]
A quick recap of “Measurement Matters”
By Dale Chu Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of hosting the first of three online events delving into the proper role of assessments in the wake of COVID-19. My guests were Chris Woolard, Senior Executive Director for Performance and Impact at the Ohio Department of Education, and Bill Porter, Partner at Education First. With […]
Testing in Georgia on my mind (er, the chopping block)
By Dale Chu In light of current events, it was bound to happen, but who knew it would happen so soon? Earlier today, Georgia became the first state to signal its intention to seek a federal waiver from 2021 testing requirements. In a joint announcement from Governor Brian Kemp and State Superintendent Richard Woods, the […]
On testing, Tennessee looks further south
By Dale Chu Last month, Texas made assessment headlines when they offered optional, end-of-year assessments to districts and families free of charge in response to the cancellation of spring testing and the anticipated drag on student performance caused by the pandemic. Not to be outdone, Tennessee just made a similar announcement, albeit aimed at schools […]
Diagnostic assessments: Between a rock and a hard place
By Dale Chu Since the cancellation of spring testing, the push for diagnostic assessments this fall continues to gather steam. But as with all things in education policy, dissent is brewing for a host of reasons, centered primarily on equity concerns and the ongoing sentiment that schools and districts should be shown continued leniency and […]
RESCHEDULED: Assessment HQ Presents: COVID-19, Learning Loss, and the Role of Assessments
Last week, the Collaborative for Student Success joined the Blackout Tuesday movement out of respect and solidarity with the Black community and to help focus online and media attention on efforts protesting systemic racism. In light of these events, we postponed the Assessment HQ Presents: Measurement Matters online event originally scheduled for June 2, 2020, which […]
Assessment HQ Presents: COVID-19, Learning Loss, and the Role of Assessments
Note: This event was rescheduled for June 16 at 3:30pm ET. By Dale Chu Starting Tuesday, June 2nd, Assessment HQ, a project of the Collaborative for Student Success, will present a series of three weekly webinars that delve into the COVID slide and testing related topics, such as the effectiveness of available diagnostic tools and […]