New York State Testing Program - Educator Guide to the Grades 3–8 English Language Arts Tests

Sep 30, 2026

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Educator guide for the New York State Grades 3–8 English Language Arts tests within the Next Generation English Language Arts learning standards framework. Covers the purpose of state testing, how educators contribute to test development, and the standards’ lifelong practices for readers and writers across reading, writing, language, speaking, and listening. Includes performance level definitions and descriptions, guidance for assessing the learning standards, text selection notes, and an overview of test design and testing sessions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

New York State Grades 3–8 Testing Program

Purpose of State Testing

New York State Educators Involvement in Test Development

The Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards

Lifelong Practices of Readers and Writers

Reading

Writing

Language

Speaking and Listening

Performance Level Definitions

NYS Level 4

NYS Level 3

NYS Level 2

NYS Level 1

Performance Level Descriptions

Assessing the Learning Standards for English Language Arts

Reading, Writing, and Language

Speaking and Listening

Text Selection

A Note on Texts

Range of Informational Texts

The Grades 3–8 English Language Arts Tests

Testing Sessions

When Students Have Completed Their Tests

Test Design

New York State Testing Program Educator Guide to the Grades 3–8 English Language Arts Tests Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards Updated: November 2025 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Regents of The University LESTER W. YOUNG, JR., Chancellor, B.S., M.S., Ed.D JUDITH CHIN, Vice Chancellor, B.S., M.S. in Ed ROGER TILLES, B.A., J.D. ................................................................................................ CHRISTINE D. CEA, B.A., M.A., Ph.D WADE S. NORWOOD, B.A SUSAN W. MITTLER, B.S., M.S FRANCES G. WILLS, B.A., M.A., M.Ed., C.A.S., Ph.D ARAMINA VEGA FERRER, B.A., M.S. in Ed., Ph.D SHINO TANIKAWA, B.A., M.S ROGER P. CATANIA, B.A., M.A., M.S., C.A.S., Ph.D ADRIAN I. HALE, A.S., B.A HASONI L. PRATTS, B.S., M.P.A PATRICK A. MANNION, B.A., M.B.A SEEMA RIVERA, B.A., M.S., Ph.D BRIAN KRIST, B.A., M.A., J.D. ......................................................................................... KEITH B. WILEY, B.A., M.B.A FELICIA THOMAS-WILLIAMS, B.A., M.S Beechhurst Little Neck Manhasset Staten Island Rochester Ithaca Ossining Bronx Manhattan Saranac Lake Rochester Brooklyn Fayetteville Slingerlands New York Buffalo Wheatley Heights Commissioner of eduCation and President of the university Betty A. RosA, B.A., M.s. in ed., M.s. in ed., M.ed., ed.d. senior dePuty Commissioner, offiCe of eduCation PoliCy JeffRey A. MAtteson dePuty Commissioner, P-12 oPerational suPPort JAson HARMon assistant Commissioner, offiCe of state assessment ZAcHARy WARneR The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, military, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, disability, genetic predisposition, sexual orientation and criminal record in its recruitment, educational programs, services, and activities. NYSED has adopted a web accessibility policy, and publications designed for distribution can be made available in an accessible format upon request. Inquiries regarding this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Office of Human Resources Management, Room 528 EB, Education Building, Albany, New York 12234. Copyright © 2026 by the New York State Education Department. Permission is hereby granted for school administrators and educators to reproduce these materials, located online on the NYSED website ([https://www.nysed.gov/](https://www.nysed.gov/)), in the quantities necessary for their schools’use, but not for sale, provided copyright notices are retained as they appear in these publications. Grades 3–8 English Language Arts Educator Guide Foreword..................................................................................................................................... 1 New York State Grades 3–8 Testing Program .........................................................................2 Purpose of State Testing...................................................................................................2 New York State Educators Involvement in Test Development........................................2 The Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards .....................................3 Lifelong Practices of Readers and Writers.......................................................................3 Reading ............................................................................................................................3 Writing .............................................................................................................................3 Language ..........................................................................................................................3 Speaking and Listening....................................................................................................4 Performance Level Definitions....................

FAQs

What is the purpose of state testing in the Grades 3–8 English Language Arts program?

The guide explains the purpose of state testing and how it aligns with the Next Generation English Language Arts learning standards for Grades 3–8.

How are educators involved in developing the English Language Arts tests?

The guide outlines educator involvement in test development as part of the New York State Grades 3–8 testing program.

What performance levels are used for interpreting English Language Arts results?

The guide provides performance level definitions and descriptions for NYS Level 4 through NYS Level 1.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Connor