The following letter is available in multiple languages:
- State Assessments for Virtual Students Arabic عربي
- State Assessments for Virtual Students Bengali বাংলা
- State Assessments for Virtual Students Spanish Español
- State Assessments for Virtual Students English
Dear HCSD Virtual Student Families:
We hope that your experience with virtual learning has been a positive one. We are proud of the hard work that students, teachers, and parents continue to do every day to support the academic success of your children. While this has not been an ideal year, everyone has pulled together to make your child’s educational experience as robust as possible.
As you may have heard, the New York State assessments are still taking place this year, after a request to cancel the assessments was denied at the federal level. Please understand that we are keeping things low key and ask that you do the same. We will use this as another opportunity to gather data and see where our students currently are on their educational journey, which will help us with future planning.
Because New York State has decided that virtual students cannot take these assessments at home, we are inviting your child(ren) to take the state assessments at school in a carefully monitored setting. All COVID protocols will be followed and we are confident that we can provide a safe testing environment.
Assessment Schedule:
- Grades 3-8 English Language Arts assessments will be given on one day between April 19-29, 2021.
- Grades 3-8 Mathematics assessments will be given on one day between May 3-14, 2021.
- Grades 4 & 8 Science assessments will be given on one day between June 7-9, 2021.
- Grades K-12 NYSESLAT (English language learners only) will be given on multiple days between April 19-June 9, 2021.
The number of questions on most of the exams has been significantly reduced so they will be given on one day only during each testing window stated above. The exams are untimed and any students with testing accommodations will be granted the required accommodations based on the assessment. While virtual students are not required to take these state assessments this school year, we continue to support our belief that every student should take the assessments and do the best they can.
Parents will need to provide transportation for their child(ren) to and from school on the days of the assessments. Students will be able to have free breakfast and lunch if needed.
Once we know the number of virtual students participating in their state assessment(s), we will develop a testing schedule that will allow us to safely bring your child(ren) into the school for their assessments.
Please indicate your intent to have your child participate in this year’s New York State assessments by completing this form no later than Thursday, April 1, 2021. The sign-up form is available in multiple languages:
Sincerely,
April M. Prestipino, EdD
Assistant Superintendent