"New tests: Let the State Education Dept. know what you think." Jan. 6, 2005. NYSUT Guide to K-12 Education Standards 2005-2006. New York State United Teachers.


Guide to State and Federal Standards for Academic Year 2005-2006 An overview of where New York State stands in the move to higher standards and more rigorous tests. HOME \| STANDARDS \| Your Students \| Your Credentials \| Sample Tests \| Resources \| News Archive
Your Students New tests: Let the State Education Dept. know what you think Posted: Jan. 6, 2006 ON THE WEB: 3-8 English Language Arts Test Administration and Scoring Updates and Feedback As thousands of students take the state's inaugural English language arts exams in grades 3-8 this month, the State Education Department has set up a Web page to provide last-minute updates and collect feedback. The site, www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/latest/update06.htm, will be updated daily as needed. In addition, two phone lines at SED will be set up to answer urgent questions from educators regarding any problems with the tests. The e-mail address emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov is for general feedback. "It's important for SED to hear from our people out in the field," said New York State United Teachers Vice President Maria Neira. "We know this is going to be a heavy lift for everybody - teachers, students and the State Education Department." In an alert to local union leaders right before testing began, Neira said the SED Web page will offer the latest information on the tests, such as corrections or administration changes. For example, in early January, SED posted a notice that the testing time for session one of the grade 6 ELA exam would be extended by 10 minutes. New York is tripling the size of its testing program with the new grade-by-grade tests, as part of the state's effort to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. ELA tests will be administered Jan. 9-20, depending on grade level. The week of Jan. 23-27 will be used for field testing. Late next month and in March, NYSUT will be seeking feedback from members to find out how the test administration went, especially scoring. School districts are handling the massive job of scoring in a variety of ways, with some using two superintendent's conference day; centralized scoring through BOCES; paying for substitutes so local teachers can grade tests; or hiring an outside vendor. "This is a new experience for all of us and the union plans to monitor the situation carefully so the testing program works for both students and educators," Neira said. It's also important to get a handle on the process since a second round of grade 3-8 testing (for math) is slated for March 6-17. Updates The State Education Department's Web page, http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/latest/update06.htm, offers the latest information on the new ELA exams. Questions Two SED phone lines, (518) 474-8220 or (518) 474-5902, will answer urgent questions. Feedback Educators may provide feedback on the tests to SED by e-mailing: emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov.	Updates The State Education Department's Web page, www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/latest/update06.htm, offers the latest information on the new ELA exams. Questions Two SED phone lines, (518) 474-8220 or (518) 474-5902, will answer urgent questions. Feedback Educators may provide feedback on the tests to SED by e-mailing: emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov. Professional Development NYSUT Literacy Institute. Feb 10, 2006. Early literacy is critical to closing the achievement gap in New York State and in reaching the intent of No Child Left Behind for all children. Given the national focus on early literacy with significant funding supporting Reading First and with the addition of annual English Language Arts (ELA) assessments beginning in grade 3, the NYSUT Literacy Institute will focus on best practices in Reading First and offer practical presentations for teachers who teach students from grades Pre-K to 5. The sessions will present proven instructional practices that are based on scientific research including Reading First and provide strategies that work with early literacy learners.
The Guide to State and Federal Standards for Academic Year 2005-2006 was developed by New York Teacher in conjunction with the union's Division of Research and Educational Services. Articles are by John Strachan. Updated June 2005. For updates, read New York Teacher, or go to the Web site at www.nysut.org. Single copies are available while supplies last. Bulk order requests should be made through local union presidents. Write NYSUT Publications, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110-2455; e-mail jmalec@nysutmail.org; or call (800) 342-9810, ext. 6260. Ask for item No. 204/05 from the Publications Department. The complete guide is also available for download at nysut.org/standards. NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 525,000 classroom teachers and other school employees and retirees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.