NYS Grade 3-8 Assessments

This spring, the Rochester City School District will administer the New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and science assessments as follows:

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For more than a decade, students have been taking annual NYS assessments. Educationally, they are one of many measures of how well our schools and students are meeting grade-level learning standards. While they do not affect report card grades, the tests can be used as a tool for teachers to learn about their student’s growth and progress towards grade level standards and help them plan for future instruction.

It is important to understand the testing participation requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the nation’s main education law for all public schools. ESSA requires that every state assess all students in ELA and math in grades 3 – 8 each year and that they hold schools accountable for how students achieve. The law also requires that 95% of students in each public school participate yearly in NYS assessments. If schools do not meet the participation requirement, they cannot demonstrate progress according to ESSA. In other words, a school with good academic performance can receive a negative rating simply because their participation rate is below 95%.

If you have any questions about the assessments, please contact your child’s Principal. When the testing time comes, we encourage your children to get a good night’s sleep so that they are ready and well-prepared for their assessments. They should not be worried – just relax and try their best!