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April 2026

Dear NECSD Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the upcoming New York State Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science, we want to take a moment to highlight the significance of these assessments and provide essential information about their role in our educational framework.

The New York State Education Department issues the standard assessments in ELA, Math, and Science, which play a pivotal role in assessing your child's academic progress and understanding of essential skills and concepts aligned with state standards. These assessments provide valuable insights into your child's strengths and areas that may need additional support or attention. Your child's participation in these assessments helps our teachers, building leaders, and district administrators gain a comprehensive understanding of their academic needs and allows us to better support their learning journey. 

To help scholars perform at their best, we encourage our families to create a stress-free environment at home, promote a good night's rest, and ensure our scholars arrive at school on time.

The data collected from these assessments is instrumental in helping identify areas where our students excel and where they might require additional resources or educational support. By participating in these assessments, parents contribute significantly to our efforts to personalize and enhance the learning experience for every child.

It is crucial to emphasize that these assessments are not punitive to our students or to our dedicated teachers. These assessments serve as tools to measure student progress and guide instructional planning. Teachers utilize the assessment results to tailor their teaching methods, identify areas for improvement, and provide targeted support to ensure your child's academic success.

Additionally, your child's participation in these assessments is vital for New York State and our district to allocate resources effectively, provide targeted interventions, and create a supportive learning environment that meets the individual needs of each student. Student participation is also practice for future exams that will count toward their academic progress in older grade levels.

English Language Arts (ELA) for grades 3-8 | Week of April 6, 2026
Math for grades 3-8 | Week of April 20, 2026 
Science for grades 5 & 8 | Week of May 4, 2026 

We assure you that all necessary precautions will be taken at an age-appropriate level to ensure a comfortable and conducive testing environment for your child. If you have any concerns or questions regarding these assessments, please do not hesitate to contact your building principal or our Department of Curriculum and Instruction. We are here to support you and your child throughout this process.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in your child's education. Together, we can ensure a successful and enriching academic journey for all our students.

Educationally Yours, 

Dr. Shannon O’Grady, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction- Elementary Level  
Dr. Elisa Soto, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction- Secondary Level 
Mr. Joseph McGrath,  Assistant  Superintendent, CIO, DPO