CES NYS Assessments Information

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Dear CES Families,

In just a few weeks, the time will come again for the New York State Assessments. One-day assessments in ELA and Math will be offered for students in Grades 3-5, and students in Grade 4 will be offered a Science assessment as well.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has not chosen to offer online assessments for virtual students. Virtual students will need to come to school to participate in the assessments. However, public schools have been provided with an unprecedented amount of flexibility in order to ensure access for all students. Assessments this year will utilize just one day for each student, rather than two. A wider window for assessments to be administered means we can offer you flexibility when scheduling a time to visit school. It also means we can use our space wisely, ensuring that all students have ample space to socially distance and to carefully observe CDC safety guidelines. As always, the NYS Assessments are not timed; students can use as much time as they need on their scheduled assessment dates.

Your child is invited to take part in the NYS Assessments. We understand that each family’s reasons for choosing virtual instruction are unique. That said, assessments are a worthwhile tool to help evaluate your child’s progress and pinpoint where they need support.

If you have a virtual student in Grades 3-5 and you would like that child to take part in the NYS Assessments, please let us know at bit.ly/nys–test-at-ces. I want you to know that if you choose for your child to participate, there is room for them at CES, and they are more than welcome. We are working on transportation for virtual students to and from school on the assessment dates.

NYS Assessment Schedule

Please call my office if you have questions or concerns that I can address.

Wishing you continued safety and health,

John E. Rivers, Principal
Catskill Elementary School