Testing Overview

The Federal No Child Left Behind Act requires states to define challenging academic standards and administer high-quality assessments so that students, teachers, parents, and administrators can measure progress against shared expectations for student achievement.

Elementary and middle school students in New York State take yearly State tests in core academic subjects to assess their mastery of New York State Learning Standards. Students’ test results are one of the factors that schools use to decide whether to promote a student to the next grade. In high school, students must pass five Regents Exams in order to graduate and may earn an Advanced Diploma if they pass more exams. Read more about the elementary and middle school promotion policies or high school graduation requirements. Students in New York City also take tests to apply for admission to selective schools and programs and to prepare for college.

New York City and New York State use test results to evaluate how well schools are serving students. To learn more about how the subjects are taught in New York City, see the academics page.

The 2011/12 Testing Calendar is as follows:
April April 17-19 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) NYS ELA 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
April 25-27 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)NYS Math 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
NYS Science 4th Grade Written Test June 4th
Performance Test May 23- June 1 (a notice will be sent home for the exact date for your child)

More information can be found on the DOE Website.