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Office of Accountability & Assessment

The Office of Accountability and Assessments coordinates the New York State Assessments in grades 3-8 for math and ELA, the NYS Science Assessments in grades 5 and 8, Regents Examinations, Alternate Assessments, and English Language Proficiency Assessments. It also manages the accountability status provided to us by NYSED and the school report card, including all the required data reporting to NYS.

Every spring, the Grade 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science assessments are administered to students across New York State. As of Spring 2024, Cheektowaga-Sloan Union Free School District moved to Computer Based Testing for all subjects. This transition away from paper-based testing has gone well. 

Participation in these assessments is required under the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.  Districts are required to have a 95% participation rate or risk losing funding. Lack of participation also negatively impacts NYSED school report scores for districts. 

Cheektowaga-Sloan’s goal is to achieve a 95% participation rate, and we would greatly appreciate your support. The tests are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide classroom instruction and help ensure that students are on track to graduate from high school with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills needed for college and the modern workplace. Taking the NYS Assessments helps students be prepared for Regents Exams in high school, which follow a similar format and rigor.  Regents Exams cannot be refused because they are required for students to graduate.  Knowing this, the Grade 3-8 Assessments are an excellent way for students to show what they have learned and for teachers to provide extra support in areas where students may need additional instruction. The tests also show how schools and districts are progressing with the learning standards, can support professional learning, and assist us in evaluating the effectiveness of our programming.

As partners in your child’s education, we ask that you help stress the importance of taking these assessments, as the connection between home and school is so important in helping all students reach their greatest potential. We thank you for your support in asking your children to put forth their best effort in school and all assessments that are taken.

We are here for all parents and families and encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have. We pride ourselves on communication and working directly with parents and families.  

Janelle Finn

Janelle Finn

Assistant Superintendent

Denver Drennen

Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction