Students in elementary and middle school grade levels take various NY State and local tests to support their instruction, to determine eligibility for certain programs, and to provide information on their progress toward mastering grade-level learning standards. The list below shows tests that students take in grades 3–8.
- NY State English Language Arts Test
- NY State Math Test
- NY State Science Test
- Tests for English Language Learners
- New York state is in the process of transitioning from testing on paper to testing on a computer. For the school year 2024-25, grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be required to test on a computer.

NY State English Language Arts Test
Students in grades 3–8 take the State English Language Arts (ELA) test each spring. Students who are English Language Learners and who have been in the United States for less than one year are not required to take the NY State ELA test in their grade but must start taking ELA tests after their first year.
The ELA test is a two-day untimed test that contains several different kinds of questions. Students answer multiple-choice questions based on short passages they read, and write responses to open-ended questions based on stories, articles or poems they read. New York state is in the process of transitioning from testing on paper to testing on a computer.
NY State Math Test
Students in grades 3–8 take the State Mathematics test each spring.
English Language Learners are required to take the State math tests but may take a test translated into Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (traditional & simplified), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, or Spanish. When tests are not available in the student’s native language, the test may be translated orally.
The math test is an untimed test that contains several different types of questions. Students answer multiple choice and open-ended questions. New York state is in the process of transitioning from testing on paper to testing on a computer.
NY State Science Test
In school year 2024-25, students in grades five will take the State Assessment in Science to determine how well they have learned the New York State Learning Standards.
English Language Learners in grades five and eight must take the State Assessment in Science. Exams are available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (traditional & simplified), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, or Spanish. When tests are not available in the student’s home language, the test may be translated orally.
The Assessment in Science asks students to demonstrate scientific knowledge and to apply scientific concepts, formulate hypotheses, make predictions, or use other scientific inquiry techniques. The 2025 Science test for grades five and eight each consist of a single session that will be administered in one day. Students will have as much time as necessary within the confines of the regular school day to complete the test.
Dismissal Changes
No Pick-Up Policy
Manhattan Charter School has a no student pick-up policy when the school is at lunch and recess. Any parents wishing to pick up their child between these hours must make prior arrangements with the Family Relations and Attendance Coordinator and the student’s teacher.
MCS 1 11:00am-1:00 pm
MCS 2 11:30am-1:30 pm
Early Pick Up Policy
If a parent or guardian must occasionally pick up their child early, they will be accommodated only until 2:30 pm. Early pick-ups must take place in the main office. Please note: we will not be able to bring students to the main office for early pick up after 2:30 p.m.
Please call the MCS main office or email your child’s dismissal change information.
Tests for English Language Learners
New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL)
New students who speak languages other than English at home take the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL).
The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners tests students’ English language skills and determines if they are an English language learner and entitled to support and services to learn English.
Students take the NYSITELL within their first ten school days of their enrollment in a school in NY State.
The NYSITELL includes multiple choice, written response, and oral response questions in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
NY State English as a Second Language Achievement Test
The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) is given to all students who are identified as English Language Learners. The purpose of the test is to determine how well they are learning English. All English Language Learners in kindergarten through grade 12 take the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test every year.
The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test has six levels:
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3−4
- Grade 5−6
- Grade 7−8
- Grade 9−12
It tests students’ speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills defined by New York State English as a Second Language Learning Standards.
The speaking section is administered individually and asks students to respond to a word or statement read aloud or to a picture.
The other sections can be administered to students in a group:
- The reading section asks students to answer questions about stories printed in their test books.
- The writing section asks students to write in response to questions and prompts in their test books.
- The listening section asks students to select the correct response to a picture and/or word or statement read aloud.
Resources
New York Practice State Assessments- Grades 3-8 practice assessments for state’s standardized assessment