Dear Minisink Valley middle/elementary school parents/guardians:
New York State’s annual Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics tests are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide classroom instruction and help to ensure that students are on track to graduate from high school with the critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning skills needed for success in today’s world.
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 requires that students in Grades 3-8 are tested once a year in ELA and math. Additional tests in science are required once in elementary and once in middle school.
To assess our technical readiness for these computer-based tests (CBTs), students will take part in simulation/practice exams. We want to be sure students fully understand how to log-in, use the testing system and have a comfort level with the technical component to the exams. Equally important is our desire to assess our readiness in terms of electronic devices and bandwidth so we’re best prepared for spring testing.
These practice exams will take place as follows:
Middle School:
- Grade 6: Wednesday, Jan. 12
- Grade 7: Thursday, Jan. 13
- Grade 8: Thursday, Jan. 13
Otisville Elementary:
- Grades 3 to 5: Thursday, Jan. 13
Intermediate School:
- Grades 3 to 5: Wednesday, Jan. 12.
It’s important to again stress that this should be viewed as a simulation only to review our technical readiness and that’s why we need our students to participate in this dry-run. Please know we will follow up with specific test schedules once we establish our testing dates.
We’re sharing this information for your awareness and remain grateful for your ongoing support of our work. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christian Ranaudo
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction