Students in grades 3-8 in all New York school districts will take the annual state exams in English Language Arts and Mathematics during April and May. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act requires that school districts administer these tests.
This year’s ELA exam is in April, followed by the math exam in early May. The state science exam for students in grades 5 and 8, and the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test, or NYSESLAT, also are scheduled this spring.
You can find the testing dates for your school, along with scheduled makeup dates, in the tables below.
Elementary (Grades 3-5) |
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| Subject | Testing dates | Makeup dates |
| ELA | April 21 & 22* | April 23 & 24* |
| Math | May 6 & 7 | May 8 & 11 |
| Science (Grade 5 only) | May 12* | May 13* |
| * There are two exceptions, related only to Pine Hills Elementary School fifth-graders: Pine Hills grade 5 ELA will test on April 28 & 29 (makeups April 30 & May 1); Pine Hills grade 5 science will test on May 13 (makeups May 14) | ||
Middle School (Grades 6-8) |
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| Subject | Testing dates | Makeup dates |
| ELA | April 15 & 16 | April 17 & 20 |
| Math | April 28 & 29 | April 30 & May 1 |
| Science (Grade 8 only) | May 12 | May 13 |
NYSESLAT (English Language Learners) |
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| Area | Window begins | Window ends |
| Speaking | April 13 | May 21 |
| Listening, reading & writing | May 4 | May 21 |
Before the tests
Please make sure your student gets plenty of rest leading up to the tests, and that they have a good breakfast so they are ready to do their best.
Students who choose not to take the tests
We strongly encourage all students to participate in the state 3-8 exams and will provide whatever support is needed to ensure their success. The data from these exams is one metric we use to help strengthen our instructional program.
While there are no consequences for a child who does not participate in a state assessment, school or district accountability status may be impacted by the lack of participation. However, if parents or guardians choose not to allow their child to take a state exam, they must provide a written request to their principal indicating their decision not to have their child take the exam.
We recommend that parents or guardians wishing to submit such a letter provide that to their principal by the day before an exam for planning purposes.
The letter should indicate which test or tests their student will not be taking, along with a phone number where the parent or guardian can be reached. This notification will allow schools to be prepared with appropriate accommodations for students who will not be taking a state exam.
At the elementary level, our buildings will identify a room or rooms where these students can quietly read while testing students remain in their classrooms. Students who are not testing will return to their classrooms when the test session is done and resume normal instruction.
At the middle level, students not taking a state exam will remain in the testing room with their peers and may bring a book to read.