Friends, 

Consider signing this petition by New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman. Especially here in Texas where our students have lost SO many days, it's horrible and nonsensical to divert precious instructional time to high-stakes testing.

-Angela Valenzuela

Support Congressman Jamaal Bowman's letter US Dept. of Education to Waive Standardized Testing Requirements

Over the past year, our students have faced unfathomable amounts of trauma and anxiety due to the pandemic. They’ve lost teachers, family members, and their entire way of life. Congressman Jamaal Bowman's letter asks to waive the standardized testing requirement put forth by the US Department of Education. Please fill out this form to sign your organization's name to the Congressman's letter.

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Events and News on the Fight Against High-Stakes Testing and for Fair, Valid, and Meaningful Assessment

 Friends,

Happy to share these resources, including FairTest's list below on states requesting waivers from federal testing requirements this spring. 

Stay warm.

-Angela Valenzuela

A Seat at the Table With Education Week: Testing & Accountability, featuring Dr. Lorrie A. Shepard and Dr. Angela Valenzuela You can listen to the program here: TEMPLATE: Editorial Webinar.

Jan. 26, 2021—FairTest Town Hall on Why and How to Suspend High-Stakes Testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzZjtg6ODs8&feature=youtu.be

Jan. 27, 2021—You can hear Commissioner Morath defend his position before Ruben Cortez here: http://www.adminmonitor.com/tx/tea/committee_of_the_full_board/20210127/

Feb. 11, 2021--STAAR Town Hall this Friday, featuring Rep. Alma Allen, Dr. Walter Stroup, Dr. Theresa Trevino and Rep. Van Deaver https://www.facebook.com/texasaft/videos/285150123172965

Texas representatives request formal opt-out process for in-person STAAR test https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-representatives-request-formal-opt-out-process-for-in-person-staar-test/

Feb. 16, 2021--TLEEC Town Hall on Assessment http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=4ahyo7vab&oeidk=a07ehjqxlvb79db8bae  Members and friends of the Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition are holding a series of three community conversations about how we can work together to strengthen public education, particularly for students of color. Part 2 will focus on meaningful assessment and fair accountability and on preparing all students for college readiness

Friday, March 5, 2021, 12:00 noon—TCEP Brown Bag on High-Stakes Testing and Accountability with Rep. Mary Gonzalez and Dr. Theresa Treviño. [Zoom link, TBA]

States Requesting Waivers from Federal Testing Requirements

STATE WAIVER REQUEST STATUS -- as of February 13, 2021

Georgia  Applied under Sec. DeVos and rejected -- re-application awaiting confirmation of new Education Secretary

Illinois State Will Advocate for Spring 2021 Testing Waiver
https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/isbe-to-apply-for-waiver-for-spring-2021-assessments-if-available/

Maine District Applauds State Pursuit of Federal Testing Waiver
https://wbng.com/2021/01/26/maine-endwell-school-district-reacts-to-state-department-of-educations-request-to-waive-assessment-exams/

Michigan State Asks Feds to Waive Annual Exam Mandate
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/education/2021/01/25/michigan-asks-feds-again-cancel-2020-21-state-student-assessments/4246266001/

Montana Board of Education Unanimously Supports Federal Test Waiver Request
https://montanafreepress.org/2021/01/29/montana-schools-pursue-second-cancellation-of-standardized-testing/

New Mexico Public Education Department Seeks Testing Waiver: High-Stakes Test Data Would Be Invalid in Pandemic
https://losalamosreporter.com/2021/02/09/public-education-department-seeks-waiver-to-pause-spring-student-assessment/

New York State Will Seek Federal Testing Waiver Because Exams Cannot Be Administered Safely, Equitably and Fairly
https://buffalonews.com/news/local/education/state-seeking-to-cancel-3-8-assessments-regents-exams/article_b02fd1bc-5f3b-11eb-944e-9f6501fb80c7.html

South Carolina Superintendent Supports Federal Test Waiver Request
https://www.wistv.com/2021/01/21/superintendent-opposes-standardized-testing-bill-holds-hope-feds-will-waive-requirements/