No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

The main focus of NCLB is to improve the academic achievement of students in low-performing schools around the country. It strives to have every student achieving at a proficient level, as defined by each state, by the 20132014 school year. To achieve this objective, the act focuses on the following elements: To achieve this objective, the act focuses on the following elements: Development of state standards, assessment systems, and accountability measures Highly qualified paraprofessionals teachers, principals, and

New York State

Standardized Testing (Mathematics 7-12)

Rewards for schools that meet or exceed academic expectations Identification of schools that fall behind in progress toward state standards Funding for schools that need special assistance to meet NCLB requirements Parental and community involvement Parental choice and supplemental services

(Source: http://www.publiceducation.org/portals/nclb/NCLB_Overview/ index.asp )

ERIC R. BRAN SEPT. 2012 SUNY PLATTSBURGH

The Parents Guide

What is a Standardized Test?

A test administered and scored in a consistent or standard manner is a standardized test. A standardized test is administered under standardized or controlled conditions that specify where, when, how, and for how long children respond to the questions. In standardized tests, the questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent.
(Source: http://definitions.uslegal.com/s/standardized -test-education/)

Any student who scores below a 2 is required to enroll in Academic Intervention Services (AIS). A student, who scores below a 2 on the 7th grade standardized math assessment , will enroll in AIS and continue on to 8th grade. This student will then take the 8th grade standardized math assessment. In other words, students cannot be held back a year because they scored low on the standardized assessment. In high school, there is a minimum requirement of regents exams that students need to pass, in order to receive a New York State high school diploma. To pass a regents exam, a student must receive a score of above 65, out of 100 possible points. If a student does not pass the Integrated Algebra Regents, they will be required to enroll in AIS and re-take the exam at the next following administering date. A student may pass the integrated algebra class but not the regents exam. In this case, the student can move on to a higher math class but will still be required to pass the integrated algebra regents.

The Intermediate School standardized assessments are administered in June at the end of the academic year. In high school, the Integrated Algebra and Geometry regents are administered in January, June, and August. The Trigonometry/Algebra II regents are only administered in January and in June. Students will begin high school by taking integrated algebra in 9th grade. If they pass they will move on to geometry in 10th grade . If they pass geometry they will move to Trigonometry/Algebra II.

Who takes the standardized tests?

Every student who is enrolled in a public or charter school is required to take standardized assessments. In middle school, students are required to take the New York Standardized Assessment in math, each academic year. In high school, students are required to take at least the Integrated Algebra Regents exams, but can take the Geometry and Trigonometry/Algebra II regents exams if they show proficiency.

Academic Intervention Services (AIS)

Academic intervention services help students who are struggling to achieve the learning standards in English language arts and mathematics in grades K 12 and social studies and science in grades 4 -12. These additional general education services include: Extra instructional time to help students achieve the learning standards in the subject areas requiring AIS, and Support services to help students overcome barriers that are affecting their ability to learn, such as attendance problems, family - related issues, discipline problems and health-related issues. Support services could include school guidance and counseling services to improve attendance and coordination of services provided by other agencies.
(Source: http://www.nysut.org/k12_7673.htm#1 )

What about the other regent exams?

A student who passes the Integrated Algebra regents exam will advance to geometry the following year. The student will then have the chance to take the Geometry regents. In order for students to graduate with a advanced regents diploma, they must pass all three math regents.

What are the stakes of taking the tests?

The standardized assessments in 7th and 8th grade are not optional. These tests are required by mandate of the No Child Left Behind legislation. These assessments are graded on a scale from 1-4.

When are the standardized tests?