New state testing program in English begins this month

Under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act, states that receive federal funding for education must test all students in grades 3 through 8 annually in math and English language arts, beginning in the 2005-06 school year. New York State has been testing fourth and eighth grade students in these two subjects since 1999. Now, to comply with the federal mandate, the State Education Department has created new tests, similar to those given in grades 4 and 8. Test results will determine if a school is making Adequate Yearly Progress toward student achievement goals determined by New York State and the federal government.

Testing for students in grades 3, 4 and 5 begins Tuesday, January 10 at Byron-Bergen schools and includes questions that assess children's ability to read, write and listen. Middle School students in grades 6 through 8 will be tested beginning January 17.

A Parent's Guide to the New York State Testing Program can be found at the State Ed Website (www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/home.html) or by clicking the link to the document on the Byron-Bergen Central School District homepage (www.bbcs.k12.ny.us).

January 8, 2006