Things every parent should know about the NYS ELA Exam

NY State English Language Arts Test (ELA)

Who takes this test?

Students in grades 3–8 take the State English Language Arts (ELA) test each spring. Students who have been in the United States for less than one year are not required to take the NY State ELA test in their grade, but must start taking ELA tests after their first year. Some students with disabilities may take the NY State Alternate Assessments (NYSAA) in place of the State test, if it says so on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

When is this test given?

For school year 2021-22, English Language Arts exam dates are March 29-31.

What is on the test?

The ELA test is a two-day untimed test that contains several different kinds of questions. Students answer multiple-choice questions based on short passages they read, and write responses to open-ended questions based on stories, articles or poems they read.

How is the test scored?

The NY State Grades 3-8 exams are scored by licensed and trained New York City teachers. The exams are scored through a distributed scoring process, meaning no student’s exam is scored by a teacher from the student’s school. This scoring complies with NY State Education Department and DOE policies regarding scoring of State exams.

How are the results reported?

The number of correct answers a student gives on a test is converted into the student’s “scale score.” Scale scores are divided into four performance levels. Test results on Individual Student Reports are available for each family. The Student Reports include the student's scale score, performance level, and information on his or her strengths and weaknesses in the different skill areas tested.

NY State Identification Test for English Language Learners

Students who are unable to understand the math and science State tests in English may take versions translated into Chinese (traditional), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, or Spanish. When tests are not available in the student's native language, the test may be translated orally to the student. Students who have been in the United States for less than one year are not required to take the New York State English Language Arts test in their grade but must start taking English Language Arts tests after their first year.

Who takes this test?

New students who speak languages other than English at home take the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners. The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners tests students’ English language skills and determines if they are an English language learner and entitled to supports and services to learn English.

When is this test given?

Students take the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners within their first ten days of school in NY State.

What is on the test?

The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners includes multiple choice, short written response, long written response, and oral response questions in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

How is the test scored?

The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners is administered and scored by a qualified NY State educator.

How are the results reported?

The school in which your child is enrolled will mail a parent notification letter that will indicate the score and any additional actions that you need to take. If your child is identified as an English Language Learner, you will be asked to attend an orientation session at which you will learn about English Language Learners programs and services that are available for your child.

How are the results used?

Educators use the results of the test to determine if your child is an English Language Learner.

NY State English as a Second Language Achievement Test

Who takes this test?

The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test is given to all students who are identified as English Language Learners. The purpose of the test is to determine how well they are learning English. All English Language Learners in kindergarten through grade 12 take the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test every year.

Students who receive English as a second language assistance take the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test to determine how well they are learning English. All students in kindergarten through grade 12 who receive English as a New Language services take the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test every year.

When is this test given?

School year 2021-22 administration dates are from April 11 to May 20 for the Speaking portion and May 9 to May 20 for the Listening, Reading, and Writing portions.

What is on the test?

The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test has six levels:

• Kindergarten

• Grade 1-2

• Grade 3−4

• Grade 5−6

• Grade 7−8

• Grade 9−12

It tests students' speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills defined by New York State English as a Second Language Learning Standards.

• The speaking section is administered individually and asks students to respond to a word or statement read aloud or to a picture.

• The other sections can be administered to students in a group:

  • The reading section asks students to answer questions about stories printed in their test books.

  • The writing section asks students to write in response to questions and prompts in their test books.

  • The listening section asks students to select the correct response to a picture and/or word or statement read aloud.

How are the tests scored?

Exams are scored in school by licensed teachers. Schools are given guidance that no teacher should score their own students’ exams.

How are the results reported?

The results are reported in raw scores, scale scores, and performance levels. The “raw score” is the number of correct answers, which is converted to a “scale score,” to make it possible to compare scores across grade levels. Scale scores are divided into the following five performance levels that show how well students have mastered English language skills.

Commanding:

• Students function fluently in listening, reading, writing, and speaking

• Students' skills are equal to those of native English speakers at their appropriate grade level

• These students have gained the skills necessary to participate in an English-speaking classroom

Expanding:

• Students are able to use skills at a higher level than intermediate students.

• Although their knowledge and use of English is at a more advanced level, these students make mistakes usually involving more:

  • subtle use of language

  • difficult levels of vocabulary and grammar

Transitioning:

• Students have better English skills than students at the basic level

• However, these students' skills are often not well developed and they make significant errors in the four skill areas

Emerging:

• A student at the Emerging level needs some supports and structures to improve their academic language skills

Entering:

• Students are at the beginning level in the four skill areas

• These students’ English skills are minimal

How are the results used?

Students will continue to receive English as a New Language or bilingual services until their scores on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test show that they have learned English well enough to participate in English-only classes. Educators also use students’ New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test scores to help decide which instructional standards to focus on, and to evaluate their programs.

Find Out More

• English Language Learners

• Bill of Rights for Parents of English language Learners

• Programs for English Language Learners

• Annual Parent Teacher Meetings for English Language Learners

• English Language Learners Academy

• Tests for English Language Learners

• College-Career Readiness for English Language Learners

• Helpful Links for Families of English Language Learners

• Community Organizations that Help English Language Learners