When are students tested? 1
3rd through 6th grades
8th through 12th grades
What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Vocational Education (optional)
What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Short written response
Extended written response
Performance tasks
How are test results used? 1
High school graduation (exit requirement)
Endorsed high school diploma
Honors high school diploma
Student awards or recognition
Student promotion
Identification of students at risk
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation
School performance reporting
Warnings to schools
Schools placed on probation or watch lists
School takeovers
Evaluation of federal, state, and local education reform initiatives
What tests are used? 1
Pupil Evaluation Program Tests (grades 3, 5, 6)
Program Evaluation Tests (grades 4, 6, 8)
Preliminary Competency Tests (grades 8, 9)
Regents Competency Tests (grades 9 - 11)
Occupational Education Proficiency Examination (grades 9 - 11)
Regents Examination Programs (grades 9 - 12)
Second Language Proficiency Examinations
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
Exemptions given as determined by IEP team based on student’s needs
and not on student’s classification or program.
Students included to the fullest extent appropriate.
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of over 40 accommodations approved by state Department of Education
are listed in a policy
manual.
Accommodation of multiple days for test taking requires state approval.
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports separate ("disaggregate") scores
of students with and without disabilities.
Footnotes:
1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.
2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.
3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all students be included in statewide assessments.
New York State Department of Education
Office for Special Education Policy, an Agency of VESID
One Commerce Plaza, Room 1624
Albany, NY 12234
518-473-2878
518-473-5387 Fax
www.nysed.gov
Contact: Lawrence T. Waite, Coordinator
James Viola, State Assessment Director
New York Parent Centers on Disability
Advocates for Children of New York
105 Court Street, Ste. 402
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-624-8450
718-624-1260 Fax
advocat1@idt.com
Contact: Ana Espada / Galen Kirkland
United We Stand
c/o Francis of Paola Preschool
201 Conselyea Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206
718-782-1462
718-782-8044 Fax
Contact: Lourdes Putz
Parent Network Center
250 Delaware Avenue, Suite 3
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-853-1570 Voice
716-853-1573 TDD
1-800-724-7408 in NY
716-853-1574 Fax
Contact: Joan Watkins
Resources for Children with Special Needs
200 Park Ave. S., Suite 816
New York, NY 10003
212-677-4650
212-254-4070 Fax
resourcesnyc@prodigy.net
www.epsty.com/resourcesnyc
Contact: Karen Schlesinger
Sinergia/Metropolitan Parent Center
15 West 65th St., 6th Floor
New York, NY 10023
212-496-1300
212-496-5608 Fax
Sinergia@panix.com
www.panix.com/~sinergia
Contact: Richard Lash/Myrta Cuadra