NYS Exams
Hello WTMS Families,
We hope you all had a much well-deserved fun and safe Spring Break.
New York State recently updated its guidance for the Math, English Language Arts (ELA), and Science state assessments will take place this March, April, May, and June to say that all state assessments will be opt-in for 2021. Prospect Schools families can opt-in to take the state test using this form but are not required to do so. You must let us know by April 15th if you would like your child to take the state test.
Please find below letters in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic with an overview of the new guidelines.
If you DO want your child to take the State Test this year, you DO NOT have to take any action.
Only families who DO want their child to take the State Test this year need to fill out the form.
We at Prospect Schools are committed to using assessments - both those we give at our schools and those we take through New York State - to inform, personalize and ensure quality instruction. This year, given the uniqueness of the pandemic, the US Department of Education, New York State and Prospect Schools are all approaching these exams as one piece of our assessment system that can help inform planning for the fall. Individual student results will not be used for any promotion or placement decisions. Our internal data shows that we have done amazing work to surmount this year's obstacles, and to ensure that students are learning the most important content. We are incredibly proud of our students’ growth in this unprecedented year.
Some questions you may have, and their answers, are below in our FAQ section.
In partnership,
Ms. Gibson-Cooper
Click here to view my availability!
FAQ's
What if I don’t want my child to take this test?
That is no problem. Only families who opt-in to the test will take it this year.
My child is remote. Can they participate in state tests?
Yes, if you would like. Remote-only families are able to opt-in to testing by filling out this form.
How will Prospect Schools use my child’s state test results?
Prospect Schools will not use state test results to make promotional decisions. It will simply be one piece of information that we share with you and your child’s teachers to support their academic growth. It will not count as a grade in our gradebook in any way.
How will the test results be used for DOE middle school and high school admissions?
We do not yet know how the DOE will use the 2021-2022 test scores for middle and high school admission, but we will update you with guidance as soon as we receive it. We do not expect it to be used to make any admissions decisions based on current guidance we’ve been given.
My child receives accommodations in their IEP. Will those be provided?
Yes, all accommodations will be provided during the state assessments for students who opt-in.
When will I receive my child’s test results?
We do not know an exact date yet. Based on prior years we would expect to receive the results from the state in late summer.
Will this year’s state assessment be different from other years?
Typically, the assessments were multiple days and consisted of a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions. This year, each assessment will be one day and will only include multiple choice questions.
What can I do at home to help my child prepare for the state assessments?
Academically, there’s nothing special that needs to be done at home! The best practices year round, like reading lots of books and actively participating in class, are the best way to prepare for the state assessments.
Logistically, it is important that students arrive at school on time on the state test days. Students should eat breakfast, and we will also have school breakfast available.
If your child is nervous about the state assessments, you can talk about strategies for staying calm (deep breathing, silent stretching in the seat) and remind them of the skills and strategies they have been practicing all year, such as using gist statements as they read and planning out their math work.
I have additional questions, who can I ask?