In a few months, many of our students with disabilities will be taking the Grades 3-8 New York State English Language Arts Assessments. As a result of a new State Education Department (SED) policy there have been changes in allowable testing accommodations, specifically with the accommodation “Tests-read.” Now students with disabilities can have the entire ELA test read aloud if it is documented on their IEPs or 504 Plans. In the past, only directions were to be read aloud on the Grades 3-8 ELA Assessment. This new New York State Education Department memo, (11/16/17) replaces all previous guidance from the department.
