2020-21 New York State Assessment Update

Dear New Lebanon Families,

Earlier this year, the New York State Board of Regents petitioned the federal Department of Education for a waiver to cancel the Grades 3-8 Math and English Language Arts exams, as well as the Grades 4 and 8 Science exams. These exams were canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, New York State is waiting to hear if the Federal government approves their waiver. Though there has been no update yet, the New Lebanon CSD is planning for the eventuality of NY State testing, grades 3-8, in both ELA and mathematics.

While students will have to take the state assessment tests, there will be some changes this year. Only the first session of the Grades 3-8 Math and ELA exams will be administered, instead of two sessions. Only the written portion of the Grades 4-8 Science exams will be administered, while the performance tests will not be given.

Please be aware that the New York State Education Department has stated that it will not be possible to administer any state assessments remotely this year. All exams will be administered in-person. Students who have opted to learn in a fully remote environment will not be expected to participate, though they will have the option of attending in-person to complete the assessments. If your child is a full-remote student and you want him or her to take the state test, please contact your child’s principal.

Testing Schedule

ELA (3-8) – April 19

ELA (make-up period) – April 20 – April 29

Math (3-8) – May 3

Math (make-up period) – May 4 – May 14

We will continue to update our community as more information is released closer to the date of the state assessments.

Sincerely,
Andrew Kourt
New Lebanon CSD Superintendent of Schools