Minisink Valley  will administer New York State assessments beginning with English Language Arts (ELA) on Tuesday, March 29  for students in Grades 3 to 8 in the Middle School and Intermediate/Otisville Elementary schools.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires every state to assess all students in grades 3-8 in English language arts and math each year, and at least once in high school. Science assessments are required in Grades 4 and 8.

States must ensure that 95 percent of students in each public school, including charter schools, participate yearly in required state assessments.

At the state level, high exam participation helps education leaders identify achievement gaps and provide extra support to the students who need it the most.

This year, all tests will be conducted online. Students have already had extensive practice sessions to ensure their understanding of the use of this technology and have been equally academically very well-prepared for these important assessments.

Assessments are scheduled to begin on the following dates. Building specific information will be communicated in the next few weeks:

• ELA: Tuesday, March 29
• Mathematics: Monday, April 26
• Science (Only grades 4 and 8): Monday, June 6

For further awareness, the New York State Education Department’s Office of State Assessment (OSA) provides useful parent resources:  NYSED OSA Parent Resources

Please direct all questions to your child’s principal. Thank you.