Each spring, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires schools to administer English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessments to Grades 3 - 8 students. In May, Science assessments are administered to students in Grade 5 and 8.
Important Information:
- State assessments will not impact student report card grades.
- Overall test results do not negatively impact a student’s program, placement, or ability to
- move to the next grade level.
- Schools cannot include results from these assessments on official transcripts or permanent
- records.
Important Updates:
- ELA and Math assessments are two days each. Science assessments are one day.
- ELA, Math & Science assessments will be taken on the computer.
- Assessments will continue to be untimed for ALL students. Removing time limits allows
- students to work at their own pace. Tests are designed to measure what students know and
- can do rather than how quickly they can finish.
Testing Dates:
| ELA (Gr. 3 - 8) | Wednesday, April 10, 2024 & Thursday, April 11, 2024 | Make-up Dates: April 15 - 19, 2024 |
| Mathematics (Gr. 3 - 8) | Wednesday, April 24, 2024 & Thursday, April 25, 2024 | Make-up Dates: April 29, 30 & May 1 - 3, 2024 |
| Science (Gr. 5 ONLY) | Monday, May 13, 2024 | Make-up Dates: May 14-16, 2024 |
| Science (Gr. 8 ONLY) | Monday, May 6 & Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - Performance Monday, May 13, 2024 - Written | Make-up Dates: May 9, 10, 14, 15, 2024 |
Five Reasons State Assessments are Important
1. Testing is a part of learning and lets students “show what they know” and what they can do.
- Test results show student strengths. You will learn what subject areas your student excels in.
- Test results show student weaknesses. You will learn what your student needs to learn.
- Testing each year helps a student become a strong test-taker. The more tests students take,
- the more familiar and comfortable they will feel, and test performance will improve.
- All students take tests. We can’t avoid them. People of all ages must sometimes take tests.
2. All tests, including state assessments, provide information about student learning that helps us
(teachers and families) instruct students better and help them succeed.
- The purpose of a test is for the student to show what they have learned. Tests help both you and your student’s teachers. A lack of information about a student’s level of knowledge (revealed through testing) hinders academic progress. The information from state assessment results in grades 3 - 8 in combination with other academic measures will help the teacher (and families) focus instruction on subject areas in which the student needs more time to understand and master the content.
- Students will not “get in trouble” if they do not meet standards. While a student should strive to do his/her personal best on any test, know that there are no negative consequences for scores lower than the standard. Your student only has to do the best they can on testing day. Learning is a process.
3. Taking state assessments can provide evidence that our students are learning effectively and
mastering the state learning standards – the knowledge and skills students need to know and
be able to do based on grade-level content expectations.
- Student performance data helps administrators identify instructional strengths and weaknesses and make quality improvements to the program that will benefit students.
4. If you or your students are reluctant to participate in state assessments, seek to understand
why and determine if this is an opportunity for personal growth.
- Help your students work through anxiety about testing. Let your student express and listen. Discuss with your student(s) the reasons they might fear tests or feel pressure to do well.
- Learn more about current state assessment processes and separate concerns and inaccurate concepts about testing from other matters at home, school, or community.
5. Earning a high school diploma is an important step towards being ready for college and career
and becoming a self-sufficient adult.
- Help your student relate assessment outcomes to their personal interests and chosen career options. As professionals and families, we share the duty and responsibility of ensuring our children are educated, skilled, and contributing citizens, and realize their potential as lifelong learners. Support and encourage goal setting and progress, and reward individual milestones and achievements in your student’s educational pathway and planning for future adulthood.
- Postsecondary education programs and the U.S. Military entrance requirements may vary but most require a state-certified diploma or GED, as do most entry-level jobs. Meeting standards in core academic areas on state assessments and other exams preparatory to postsecondary education, vocational careers, or military service are viable options for meeting the Graduation Pathways requirement for earning a New York State diploma.
More details: https://youtu.be/YyicQm8XbNE