Participation of Accelerated Students in the Grade 8 Mathematics Test

In past years, schools have been permitted to administer the Grade 8 Mathematics Test to students in Grade 7 who were expected to complete all the material in the Intermediate-Level Mathematics Core Curriculum (5–8) by the end of that grade and who were being considered for placement in an accelerated high school-level mathematics course in Grade 8. Beginning with the May 2005 test, schools are no longer permitted to administer the Grade 8 Mathematics Test to Grade 7 students. This change in Department policy is necessary so that the State’s assessment program will be in conformity with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

The Department policy concerning the inclusion of accelerated students in the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test is not being altered for the 2004-05 school year. Schools may continue to administer this test to students in Grade 7 who will have completed all the material in the Intermediate-Level Science Core Curriculum (5–8) and are being considered for placement in an accelerated high school-level science course when they are in Grade 8. In addition, principals continue to have the discretion to either require or waive the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test for those accelerated Grade 8 students who did not take this examination during the previous school year but who will be taking a Regents Examination in science at the end of Grade 8. For those accelerated students for whom the school waives the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test, the student’s achievement in science will be measured by the student’s performance on the Regents examination in science. Please note that this policy concerning the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test is currently under review and may be changed for the 2005-06 school year and beyond.