New York State Assessments
NYS 3-8 GRADE ASSESSMENTS
NYS Assessments are given every year in the subject areas of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for students in grades 3 through 8. The assessments utilize State Standards to test students in areas that focus on learning real-world skills: critical thinking, careful reading of fiction and non-fiction, writing with evidence, effective communication of ideas, and solving real-world math problems.
The most important thing to remember, though, is that these tests are a tool and little more. Although a very important tool for evaluating how we are teaching your child, they are designed to give parents and the school a way to measure student progress from year to year, making certain that students are moving steadily toward a goal of college and career readiness.
These are NOT the full measure of your child’s abilities or performance; rather the test results give administration, teachers and counselors an idea of your child’s accomplishments and needs, and how we can better serve you. Our goal is to use all of our tools, including our teacher-made assessments and the State test results, to provide each student with the knowledge and skills needed – not to pass a test – but to prepare students for lifelong success.
Contrary to media reports, the NYS Assessments DO NOT affect your child’s grade nor do they hold any bearing on your student’s teacher evaluations. The assessments are a way for CSAT to see its progress in student achievement from year-to-year so it can identify areas that need extra supports and areas that are thriving.
We encourage all of our students to take not just these assessments, but ALL assessments given throughout the year, to the best of their ability.
Why do our children need to participate?
Two reasons: (1) Research demonstrates that grit, or stick-to-it-ness, is the most important skill for student achievement. Opting out of the NYS Assessments send the wrong message that could affect student attitude toward school projects, assessments, daily work and every day behavior; (2) these assessments are federal-mandate; not meeting participation goals can lead to a reduction of federal funds, or worse: the state closing the school entirely.
For more information on NYS Assessments, including sample tests, learning standards and core curriculum, and CSAT assessment results from past years, please visit the New York State Education Department's Office of State Assessment Website.