Camillus Middle School students will be participating in the annual New York State Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics starting next week. Please see the chart below for the administration details. These assessments measure the learning standards around which our teachers design and deliver their daily instruction. Our teachers routinely revise and refine this instruction to make it the most rigorous and relevant experience for our students. Because of this, we have no need to engage in test preparation or practice tests. Our children are completely prepared to take these assessments because our curriculum is in alignment with the standards the tests measure.
I know that some of you may have reservations about encouraging your child to take the assessments. Your concerns, together with the concerns of educators, have been influential in changing some important aspects of the assessments. Here are some of the positive adjustments that were made last year and are in place for this testing cycle:
- 3 days to 2 days of testing
- Untimed testing – students may have as much time as they need
- All questions have been written and reviewed by New York State teachers
- Student scores are not part of the formal evaluation system for teachers and administrators
From our perspective, the assessments are a valuable tool that help us know how effectively our curriculum is aligning with the standards. Since students from across the state take the assessments, the results provide a window into how we compare with similar schools and where we can make improvements. I am encouraging you to support the message we are giving your children here at school; this is your opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and how you have grown as a student. We ask them to simply do their best. You can also help at home by making sure they have a good night’s sleep, a little something to eat and extra hydration. A quick “you’ve got this” as they go out the door in the morning helps to motivate them with a positive outlook.
I would be very happy to speak with you should you have any questions at all about the assessments. Please feel free to call me at 315-672-3159.
We Celebrate Learning!
Beth
Testing Schedule
ELA –
Grade 6
|
April
1 & 2
|
Testing during per. 1-3
|
Class resumes 4th per.
|
*7 & 8th grade on regular schedule
| |||
ELA –
Grades 7 & 8
|
April
3 & 4
|
Testing during per. 1-3
|
Class resumes 4th per.
|
*6th grade on regular schedule
| |||
Math -
Grades 6
|
April 30 &
May 1 |
Testing during per. 1-3
|
Class resumes 4th per.
|
Math –
Grades 7 & 8
|
May
2 & 3 |
Testing during per. 1-3
|
Class resumes 4th per.
|
April 3 & 4 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS ELA Assessments
April 3 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS
April 5 - Wildcat Friday
April 9 - Group Yearbook Pictures
April 10 - SEPTSA Meeting - 6:30 p.m. @ OR
April 12 - End of 30 Weeks
April 15 - 19 - Spring Recess - No School
April 23 - CMS PTO Meeting & Budget Presentation - 6:00 p.m. @ WGHS
April 26 - Report Cards Available
April 30 & May 1 - 6th Gr. NYS Math Assessments
May 2 & 3 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS Math Assessments
