Almost from the outset, we’ve been warned that the implementation of new assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards would be a bumpy road. But now that the first major wave of the testing is wrapping up, it’s a good time to take a step back and assess the situation.

Did districts conquer the expected challenges of the necessary technology upgrades? How many parents really did pull their kids out of testing? Where did things go better than anyone had predicted? And what’s up next on the testing beat? (Test scores, of course.)

This Wednesday, June 3, at 1 p.m. Eastern time, join our EWA Webinar to hear from two reporters –one national, and one regional — about smart ways to cover Common Core testing. You’ll come away with fresh story ideas, tips for digging deeper, and a better understanding of the experience of schools, districts, and states with the new assessment landscape.

To get you started, take a look at a few stories on these topics by our featured presenters:

• Jeffrey Solochek (a member of EWA’s journalist advisory board) has covered education for more than 20 years, and currently writes for the Tampa Bay Times. He’s been keeping close tabs on school testing in the Sunshine State, which in many ways has become a bellwether for school “reform” efforts over the past decade. He wrote recently about how students feel when there are testing mishaps, concerns over Florida’s end-of-course exams, and the state’s move to delay by months the release of test scores.
• Andrew Ujifusa writes about state education policy for Education Week, and is the author of the State EdWatch blog. Ujifusa’s recent stories include a look at where the the “opt out” movement is gaining traction. He’s also examined how it’s getting tough to separate the politics from the practice in the debate over the new tests, as well as dust-ups in some states over Common Core testing contracts.

Space is limited for the webinar, so be sure to register today!