Dear Parents/Guardians:
Despite the disruptions of the pandemic, we are confident the level of instruction provided our students will see our students performing well on these assessments. Please understand that our internal system of assessing and addressing students’ progress in reading, writing, and mathematics assures our students’ progress is closely monitored. The New York State assessments do not impact a students’ report card grade but are a requirement of the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
As we stated in the prior letter, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently released a memorandum regarding the Spring 2021 grades 3-8 English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science Assessments. It stated that “NYSED submitted a formal request to the United States Department of Education (USDE) to waive state testing requirements at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.” Pending a USDE ruling, NYSED has decided the following:
If the waiver request is granted, 3-8 assessments will be cancelled
otherwise -
Assessments will be shortened and administered in one session for each subject discipline
The Grade 3-8 ELA, Mathematics and Science assessments will be administered on the following dates:
- ELA - April 19th through April 29th
Mathematics - May 3rd through May 14th
Grade 4 and 8 Science - June 7th through June 11th
Administering these assessments with the current COVID restrictions poses logistical issues that require careful planning. Therefore, to assure students’ health and safety during the administration, our schools will need ample time to prepare. Please complete the form below to indicate if your child will not be taking these assessments.
A child’s refusal to take these assessments or “Opt-Out”, is a parent’s decision. Our schools are asking for advance notice to prepare appropriate environments for students taking the assessments, and for students who are not. Please use this link to indicate if you will not have your child take the NYS ELA, Math and/or Science Assessment.
Please click on the Google Form link below if you plan to have your child “opt out” of one or both assessments.
Opt Out Form (English)
FORMULARIO DE EXCLUSIÓN (Espanol)