NYS 3rd Grade testing

Question for the teachers:
I asked my DDs teacher if DD is on track with what should be expected of her during the grade 3 ELA and Math tests. The reason I asked is because I realized a lot of parents are asking for (and now the school is offering) a paid "course" after school to prep kids for the test!

I had no idea that parents would do this, so I started to wonder if I should be doing *more* to make sure DD is prepared. The teachers response was that she has no concern that my DD will fail but she also cannot say she will score a 4 either and that "with the scoring method very few children will score 4s".

What does this mean? Did they change something?

Re: NYS 3rd Grade testing

they changed the test again.

they are making it harder, again.


unfortunately, it is almost impossible to predict how a student will perform. they also change the sliding scale every year now. for example, a 650 used to be a 3, now a 650 is a 2.

i teach 4th. I had a student get the same exact scale score in third as in fourth, and she dropped from a 4 to a 3.


sorry to be so vague (as i am sure your daughter's teacher is) but we really are flying blind.

not to get on my soapbox, but its part of the reason teachers and the teacher's union are so against using these test scores to "judge" teacher ability/performance.

Re: NYS 3rd Grade testing

Historically, a student would really only be able to miss 1-2 questions/points (raw score) in order to be at a performance level 4. It's a very small range. And, yes, the test will change yet again this year. Probably making the material and scoring standards more difficult!

Re: NYS 3rd Grade testing

Thank you. When she did the practice tests online she got in the 90s so is that a 3?

Re: NYS 3rd Grade testing

95% and above is a 4

85-94 is a 3

If you are taking a multiple choice test that is only for the first day which is the multiple choice.

Second day is listening with mutliple choice questions, short response and extended response.

Third day is two passages that aren't paird with multiple choice short response and extended response. (I am pretty sure this is how day 3 is going to be.)

With the reponses they are looking for organization, writing mechanics, content, I forgot the other two areas off the top of my head.

You can go online and find past tests to practice with. As otherpp have said, the format has changed. But I am sure the passages and short response questions will help her practice.

Message edited 1/18/2012 9:12:43 PM.

Re: NYS 3rd Grade testing

Here is what I know,...

Grade 3:

Day 1:
90 minutes and a 5 minute break
7 passages (poetry, fiction, non-fiction)
36 multiple choice questions

Day 2:
90 minutes
Listening: listen to story 2x, take notes, answer 5 m.c., 3 short responses, 1 extended AND NEW THIS YEAR.....2 passages and 12 mc questions

Day 3:
90 miunutes
2 passages not paired
4 short responses
2 extended responses

Every day is 90 minutes. I would suggest a tutor or test-prep. It is hard. This year they are also grading writing mechanics which is NEW THIS YEAR!


ETA: There is 1 NYS version of the new tests released, which happens to be part of a grade 3 test. Otherwise, this format will not be available online except this one. A good tutor will help you out.

Message edited 1/19/2012 5:39:37 PM.