1. What are the three special assessments that will be administered in grades 4 and 8 in ELA and mathematics this January through May?

• Mini field tests of approximately 20 minutes in length for grades 4 and 8 ELA and mathematics will be given in most schools as described in the August 2002 field memorandum http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/testing/eliinfogen/q&aft03.pdf.  pdf 24K Schools have the option of administering a mini field test on the day before the regular test or on any day in the testing period after the administration of the regular test.
• Field tests in ELA of 45 minute sessions for grade 8 and 60 minute sessions for grade 4 will be given in a sample of selected schools in January and February. Approximately 250 schools will be included in these field tests. Schools selected for the field test of constructed-response items receive separate letters from the Department.
• The National Assessment of Educational Progress tests in reading and mathematics will be administered to a sample of 60 to 100 students in selected schools in the 4^th and 8^th grades. The NAEP testing will occur between January 28 and March 7, 2003 and will require approximately 90 minutes to administer. Schools selected for the NAEP assessments receive separate letters from the Department.

All schools administering the State’s Grade 4 and 8 ELA and mathematics tests are expected to participate in one of these special assessments, but no school will be expected to participate in more than one.

Yes.

Yes, schools should choose one day within the allowable window to give the mini field test. There are no makeups for students who are absent that day.

11/04/02