The English Language Arts Core Curriculum (May 2005)
PDF / Microsoft Word / HTML

Mathematics Core Curriculum (March 2005)
PDF / Microsoft Word  / HTML

Latest News on Grades 3-8 Testing

ELA Toolkit: Curriculum Guidance Materials & Resources

Mathematics Toolkits:

•   Prekindergarten to
         Grade 8

•   Grade 9 to Grade 12

English Language Arts Curriculum (ELA) Homepage

Mathematics Curriculum Homepage

State Assessment Homepage

Educator Recruitment:

• Call for Expertise

• 3-8 Testing Program

• Regents Final Eyes Review

Contact us:
emscurric@mail.nysed.gov

emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov

Latest News on
ELA, Mathematics, and
Grades 3-8 Testing

Building Capacity, Tools

• Introduction to the Grades 3-8 Testing Program in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The purpose of this update is to give further guidance on the Grades 3 through 8 Testing Program in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Mathematics administration times have been slightly adjusted from what was previously issued. Administration times for each test are accurately set forth in this manual as well as in the Mathematics Teacher Directions posted February 9, 2006. Updated February 27, 2006

• Information for Teachers This letter was sent to K-8 teachers to provide them with the latest guidance concerning the grades 3-8 testing program,changes in mathematics, and links to ongoing web updates. December 2004

• Public Forum on New York State Learning Standard for Mathematics (2005) and Grades 3-8 Testing Program  March 2005

  • PowerPoint Presentation. Assessment information concerning ELA is included in this PowerPoint presentation.

• NY Learns PBS Broadcasts: "Ahead in Math"  April 2005

• Professional Development Module: Understanding the New York State Standard in Mathematics (Prekindergarten to Grade 8) June 2005
  This training assists educators in building their understanding of the New York State Mathematics Standard (2005). It provides information for future curriculum, instruction, and assessment development.

Calculators

Calendars/Schedules: State Assessment

• Calendar of Events- ELA 2005-06 http://emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/elacal.htm

• Procedures for Ordering, Shipping and Storing of Materials for the 2006 Administration of the New York State Elementary- and Intermediate- Level Tests June 2005

  • Memo for Public Schools  PDF

  • Memo for Nonpublic Schools PDF

• 2005-2006 School Year Elementary and Intermediate Assessment Schedule May 2005
  This Assessment Schedule includes operational test administration dates for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for grades 3-8. The schedule also includes test administration dates for science and social studies.

• Field Test Information

  • General
    May 23-27, 2005: field testing of the new mathematics tests for grade 3-8.  March 2005

  • Field Test Information Dates of Elementary- and Intermediate-Level State Assessments for the 2005–2006 School Year

  • Field Test Information: An Update
    This site provides current information for the 2005-2006 field tests in New York State elementary and intermediate schools.

• Implementation of the New Regents Mathematics Examinations Survey
  At its October meeting, the Board of Regents acted on three recommendations related to the mathematics graduation requirements. The Board deferred a decision on the timeline for the implementation of three new Regents Examinations (Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry) until their December meeting. This deferral was for the purpose of seeking input from the field as to when teachers and students will be ready for the new Integrated Algebra Examination: June 2008 or June 2009. This would include aligning local curriculum, appropriate textbooks, and professional development.

  The survey is designed to gather input from various constituents on these issues. Please review the Mathematics Toolkit posted at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/guidance.htm, which provides the Board of Regents Update: Mathematics Graduation Requirements, Overview of NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum, and Commencement-Level Crosswalk 1996-2005. Please complete the survey by no later than November 17, 2005.  Go to the Survey

Educator Recruitment

• Call For NYS Certified Teachers: Grades 3-8 Standard Setting Recruitment Form. Complete this recruitment form if you are interested in participating in Standard Setting for the Grades 3-8 English Language Arts and Mathematics Tests. The standard setting process will be used to determine cut scores which students must meet or exceed to be classified in a given performance level. To set meaningful cut scores, the standard setting process considers the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are expected of students in each performance level. It is critical that the process include a wide range of diverse teachers from across New York State. Please refer to the recruitment form for more information regarding dates, locations and how to apply. (Honorarium will be paid and all travel expenses will be reimbursed for participants)  PDF  HTML WORD

Grades 3-8 Testing Program

New York State Testing Program - Grades 3-8 for English Language Arts and Mathematics

Sample/Operational Tests

• The Complete Grade 3-8 ELA Sample Tests
  These are available for downloading along with sample answer documents. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/ela-sample/home.htm
• The Grades 3-8 Mathematics Sample Tests are now available for downloading. (http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/math-sample/home.htm) Included in these materials are Sample Tests and Answer Documents for each grade. Teacher Directions and Scoring Guides will be posted at a later date. updated December 8, 2005
• Appendix B Sample Mathematics Questions April 2005
  The sample questions for Grades 3-8 presented in this appendix are representative of the types of questions that are included in the Mathematics Tests. They have not been field-tested and do not represent the full scope of questions that will appear in the tests. They are presented here to provide examples of the types of mathematics questions that students will be expected to answer.
• The Grades 3-8 2006 Mathematics Tests are now available on-line at http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/mathei/06exams/home.htm Item maps with the performance indicators and multiple choice answers keys will be posted when student score reports are made available. Posted May 18, 2006T
• he Grades 3-8 2006 English Language Arts Tests are now available on-line at http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/elaei/06exams/home. The tests are complete with the exception of passages that were denied permission to be placed on-line by the author. Item maps with the performance indicators and multiple choice answers keys will be posted when student score reports are made available. Posted April 6, 2006

School Administrator's Manual

• School Administrator's Manual (SAM) for Public and Nonpublic Schools for the 2006 Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests is available online at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/sam/home.htm Posted February 27, 2006

  • Grade 6 English Language Arts Test: Important Notice for Administrators and Teachers  PDF  HTML

Scoring

• Latest information on the Administration and Scoring of the Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests Posted March 3, 2006
  During the Grades 3-8 Mathematics Testing period March 6-24, 2006, this site will provide, as needed, timely information and guidance on the administration and scoring of each of the grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests being administered. Teachers, schools, and school administrators are encouraged to check this page regularly during the upcoming test administration period starting on March 6, 2006.  http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/latest/update06.htm  Updated March 24, 2006

• 2006 Questions and Answers
  This information pertains to the scoring of Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests HTML Posted March 21, 2006. Updated April 3, 2006

• NYS Grade 3-8 Testing In English Language Arts and Mathematics: Preparations For Scoring - SCDN Meeting, June 2, 2005 
  PowerPoint Presentation Revised September 26, 2005

• Questions and Answers for Scoring the 2006 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Tests  Posted January 26, 2006 Revised February 3, 2006

• Scoring Site Operations Manual  PDF
  The scoring site operations manual provides guidelines, information, and procedures for Scoring Site Coordinators to facilitate scoring of the English Language Arts for Mathematics test. It details scoring operations from on-site delivery of students' testing materials to the conclusion of scoring. September 2005
  Updates to page A2 (editing paragraph), page 26 (scoring committee number) and Appendix F. Updated January 25, 2006

• Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Tests: Editing Passage Guidance. This guidance gives further information for scoring the English Language Arts Tests Grades 3, 5, and 7 editing paragraphs. The information is presented in a question and answer format. November 14, 2005 HTML  PDF

Teacher Directions/Evaluations

• Teachers Directions for the 2006 Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests
  http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/directions/home.htm

• Teacher Evaluation Forms for ELA Grades 3 - 8 (electronic submission) Posted February 1, 2006
  The Teacher Evaluation Form for the 2006 3-8 English Language Arts Tests is available on the following web site, www.ctb.com  Please follow the instructions located on the last page of the English Language Arts Teacher's Directions for grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. It is important that teachers who administered, proctored and/or scored these assessments complete the evaluation form since your comments and concerns will assist NYSED in enhancing this testing program. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

• The Grades 3-8 Testing Program in English Language Arts and Mathematics: A Parent's Guide   October 2005.  
  This comprehensive parent guide for the Grades 3-8 Testing Program includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), sample questions for ELA and Mathematics, and details on how parents can help their children prepare for the tests. The brochure is available in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.

Policy and Regulation

• History and Background of New York State Learning Standard in Mathematics
  January 2005

• Independent Panel Report on Math A

• Board of Regents Adopts NYS Learning Standard in Mathematics
  On January 11, 2005 the Board of Regents adopted the Mathematics Learning Standard 3 and performance indicators for grades prekindergarten through 8.

  • HTML   /  PDF  /  Microsoft Word 

• Board of Regents Adopts NYS Learning Standard in Mathematics
  On March 15, 2005 the Board of Regents adopted the performance indicators for Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry, along with the alignment modifications to prekindergarten through grade 8.

  • NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum (Revised March 2005)

    • PDF  /  Microsoft Word  /  HTML

    • Alignment Modifications to the January 2005 Document March 2005 (Microsoft Word)

  • Overview of NYS Mathematics Core Curriculum (PowerPoint)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Tests: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
  This document answers questions that could not be addressed during the Train the Trainer Workshops (TTT) due to time limitations. It contains original questions from participants, plus answers. HTML

• Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  This document answers questions that could not be addressed during the Train the Trainer Workshops (TTT) due to time limitations. It contains original questions from participants, plus answers. HTML Posted March 20, 2006

Reporting/Accountability/Data Collection

• Accountability: An Update
  This site provides current information on accountability regulations.
• Reporting on Grades 3-8 Assessments
  This site provides information and guidance regarding the proper use of student reports. PDF  HTML

Students with Disabilities

• Information on Students with Disabilities
  This site includes interim supplemental guidelines and testing accommodations regarding the participation of students with disabilities in State assessments for the 2005-2006 school year. http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/swd.htm

Back to Latest News on Grades 3-8 Testing
Return to top