Assessments

Broadalbin-Perth students take a number of exams every year – New York State exams, Regents exams, local exams and AP exams.

Children in grades 3-8 are required to take state tests/assessments each school year in math and English language arts. Fourth- and eighth-graders also take state exams in science and social studies.

Testing in English language arts — covering reading, writing and listening skills — and math for each of the elementary grades is designed to show whether children have a firm grasp on the skills they will need to succeed as they move toward middle school, high school and beyond. These tests also help teachers identify where the curriculum might need to be fine-tuned to better meet students’ needs.

Testing children regularly throughout the middle school years is one way of ensuring that they are progressing academically. Such tests help show whether children need additional help to confidently move ahead in school.

Testing children beginning in the third grade is one way of ensuring that students are learning their daily lessons well. These tests, as well as the middle school exams, are carefully designed to reflect the types of information and skills that children are expected to learn at their grade levels.

Although students are given opportunities throughout the school year to become familiar with the format of these tests, the school year is not spent drilling for these exams. Instead, the primary focus is on expanding children’s knowledge in many subject areas and disciplines like listening, reading, writing and math — encouraging them to reason better and become critical thinkers.

It’s normal for students to feel a certain level of anxiety around any exams. Leading up to the tests, parents should do what they have always done: Encourage your children to stay calm, take their time, review their work carefully, and do their best. Just as with anything students do in school, these exams are important and everyone at Broadalbin-Perth wants students to take pride in their performance.

For help interpreting test results and access to resources designed to build understanding of the New York State education reform initiatives, visit the State Education Department's website.