Parents Right To Know - Testing
Dear NEAAAT Family:
This letter is intended to inform you that your student will take school and state-mandated tests this school year, as reflected on the attached test calendar, which is also posted on the school website. Our families also received a paper copy of the testing calendar at the beginning of the year with our back-to-school information.
Per 16 N.C. Admin Code 06D .0307–Test Administration in Public Schools, “(g) LEAs shall, at the beginning of each school year, provide information to students and parents or guardians advising them of the district-wide and State-mandated tests that students will be required to take during that school year. In addition, LEAs shall advise students and parents or guardians of the dates the tests will be administered and how the results from the tests will be used. Also, information provided to parents shall include whether the State Board of Education or the local board of education requires the test(s). (h) LEAs shall report scores resulting from the administration of State-mandated tests from the Annual Testing Program to students and parents or guardians no later than 30 days after the test is administered and along with available score interpretation information within 30 days from receipt of the scores and interpretive documentation from the NCDPI.”
N.C. Admin. Code 06G .0315 requires all public school students in membership (i.e., enrolled in a school) in grades 5 through 8 and high school courses requiring an end-of-course assessment to participate in the Annual Testing Program. North Carolina does not allow any student to opt out of required state testing. The only exceptions granted are for a limited number of students who meet certain eligibility requirements or have extenuating circumstances primarily related to a significant medical emergency or condition and are unable to participate in a specific test administration.
N.C. Admin Code 06D .0309 requires schools to use end-of-course tests as “a minimum of twenty percent of the student’s final grade for each respective course.” As such, a student’s grade for these courses and overall grade-point-average calculation may be negatively impacted by not taking the required end-of-course state tests. Schools have the flexibility to use end-of-grade test scores as necessary.
In accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Sec 1112 (e) (2) (A), parents/families may request information regarding any state and local education policy regarding student participation in any assessment.
You may also seek information on the Department of Public Instruction’s Accountability Services Division website at www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/
On the website, you can obtain information regarding the following testing information:
- Testing calendars
- Analysis & Reporting
- State Tests
- Testing Policies & Procedures
- Additional Testing Links
- Accountability Director
If you should require information on testing policies and student participation, please contact Caren Williams, Director of Curriculum & Systems at carenwilliams@northeastacademy.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Leah Lane
Principal
Dr. Caren Williams
Director of Curriculum and Systems
Shala Spence
Assistant Principal and Testing Coordinator