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                                                                                                                    January 2005

Scientific Calculators in Grades 5-8

In its November 2004 report to the Board of Regents, the Mathematics Standards Committee recommended:

…the use of scientific calculators in grades 5-8. Use of calculators on the 5-8 assessments should be similar to the format that is currently used on the Grade 8 assessment, i.e., no calculator use permitted on Part I, and calculator use permitted on extended response items, with the understanding that all students will be given access to a scientific calculator.

It is our intent, over time, to phase in calculator use for mathematics assessments in grades 5-8.  However, given the complexity of administering these tests and providing sufficient calculators for all students taking them, initially calculators will only be permitted for the non-multiple choice, e.g. short-response and extended-response questions on the Grade 7 and Grade 8 mathematics assessments.

A specific announcement of the phase-in of calculator use on the Grade 5 and Grade 6 assessments will be made well in advance to permit schools to acquire the necessary calculators.