New York State ELA Tests

The good news about the New York State English Language Arts tests given to 3rd through 8th graders is that they test real skills. The best way to prepare for them is to read copiously and write often. Regular, thoughtful (and thought-provoking) feedback is also very helpful for students, especially when it comes to developing their writing skills.

At New York Academics, our approach to helping children prepare for their ELA test is simple, sane, and effective. We evaluate our students to find out where their strengths and weakness are, and then we work with them to strengthen their skills. The ELA tests are not particularly “tricky” and our instruction reflects this: we don’t spend hours and hours drilling students in test-taking methods. Instead, we help them develop real skills that will serve them well on the test and in life. Having said that, we do make sure that our students fully understand the test format and what will be expected of them.

Families often want to know what the stakes are for their child when he or she takes the New York State ELA test. The politics around this test are intense and the practical meaning for students is therefore prone to change, however as of January 2010, students in 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades can expect to be held back if they score a 1 on their ELA test (http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/PromotionPolicy/default.htm). In addition, these tests can affect the school choices that are available to them when they apply to middle and high schools. For example, 5th graders must achieve a score in approximately the top 10th percentile on this test and the state math test in order to be eligible to take the Hunter College High School entrance exam.