New York State Testing Program: English Language Arts Paper-Based Tests. Teacher's Directions, Spring 2024. Grades 3 and 4

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has a partnership with NWEA for the development of the 2024 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Tests. Teachers from across the State work with NYSED in a variety of activities to ensure the validity and reliability of the New York State Testing Program (NYSTP). The 2024 Grades 3 and 4 English Language Arts Tests are administered in two sessions on two consecutive school days. Students are asked to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of reading and writing. Students will have as much time as they need each day to answer the questions in the test sessions within the confines of the regular school day. For Grades 3 and 4, the tests consist of 1-credit multiple-choice questions, 2-credit constructed-response questions, and 4-credit (Grade 4 only) constructed-response questions. Each multiple-choice question is followed by four choices, one of which is the correct answer. Students record their multiple-choice responses on a separate answer sheet. For Session 1, students will write their responses to the constructed-response questions in their separate answer booklets. For Session 2, students will write their responses to these questions directly in the test booklets. By following the guidelines in this document, teachers help ensure that the test is valid, reliable, and equitable for all students. A series of instructions helps teachers organize the materials and the testing schedule.