Testing Changes

• New York State's English standards have not changed.

• But this is the first year of testing in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

• From 1999-2005, New York had tests given only in Grade 4 and 8. The standards are divided into Grade bands (Grade 2-4, for example). Therefore, the Grade 4 test in those years had some content that was somewhat simpler, more similar to lower grades. Some of that simpler content now appears on the Grade 3 test.

• Therefore, the 2006 Grade 4 test is not equated to previous years' tests in difficulty.

• Statistical analysis indicates the 2006 Grade 4 test is therefore slightly more difficult than the previous year's test and the tests given in prior years.

• Similarly, for the Grade 8 test, some simpler content now appears on the Grade 7 test.