3rd-8th Grade Testing Guide for Parents

ELA: Typically the NYS ELA Assessments take place in April. Please visit our Testing & Assessment Calendar Page for specific testing dates or your can visit the New York State Education's Department testing schedule page.  Please speak to your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns with the testing schedule. 

MATH:Typically the NYS Math Assessments take place in May. Please visit our Testing & Assessment Calendar Page for specific testing dates or your can visit the New York State Education's Department testing schedule page.  Please speak to your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns with the testing schedule. 

You and your child benefit from State tests because they:

• Provide detailed information about whether your child is learning what is expected of them for their grade levels.
• Help schools determine how students are progressing and performing compared to their peers, and which students or teachers may need more support.
• Allow you to learn how your child’s school is doing compared to other schools.

Each test consists of two untimed sessions and is administered over two days (one session per day). Session 1 and 2 for ELA include multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Session 1 for Math is multiple-choice only. Session 2 for Math includes multiple-choice and open-ended questions. State tests are untimed. Students who need more time will be able to work at their own pace to better demonstrate what they know and can do.

• We strongly encourage all students to take these tests because both you and your child benefit from the information we learn through test results. State tests provide additional information on what your child is learning and help teachers and schools adjust support where needed.
• If you are interested in opting your child out of State tests, you should consult with your child’s principal. If, after consulting with the principal, you still want to opt your child out of the exams, the principal will respect your decision. The parent and the principal should maintain a written record of this conversation.
• Information on the NYS Alternate Assessment for qualifying students. 

• Help your child get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam and have a good breakfast in the morning.
• Acknowledge your child’s feelings about testing and boost their confidence.

• New York State usually releases test scores during the summer and the scores will be made available through the Parent Portal.
• We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher or principal to discuss State test scores and overall academic progress.

It is important for your child to take the test. Please do all you can to support your child and ensure they are at school on testing days. Students who are absent for any reason will have a second chance to take the test during the make-up period. If your child is also absent during the make-up period, there will be no additional chances to take the test. Students will not be penalized or retained in the same grade solely for not taking a State test.

Some students take high-school-level Regents exams in middle school. If your child is in grade 8 and will take a math Regents exam this school year, your school will not administer the grade 8 State math test to them. You may choose to have your child take the grade 8 math test for more information about their progress, even though it is not required. Contact the school if you would like your student to take the grade 8 math test in addition to taking a math Regents exam.