Purpose

To assess achievement of the Learning Standards for English Language Arts

To ensure access for all students to the full range of language experiences reflected in the Standards.

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4 English Language Arts Standards

1.      Language for Information and Understanding

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for information and understanding.  As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral and written texts.

2.      Language for Literary Response and Expression

Students will read and listen to oral and written texts and relate these texts to their own lives; and develop an understanding of the diverse social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts represent.  As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for self-expression and artistic creation.

3.      Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

Students will listen, speak, read and write for critical analysis and evaluation.  As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria.  As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to present, from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.

4.      Language for Social Interaction

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for social interaction.  Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people.  As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of  people and their views. 

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  Distinguishing Features of the Test:

• Three response formats: multiple-choice, short response, and extended writing

• Three language modes: reading, writing, and listening

• Three language functions: informational, literary, and critical analysis

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  Purpose of Each Part:

          Multiple-choice items- To assess ability to:

1.)    Read literary and informational texts
2.)    Understand and interpret important ideas and information
3.)    Recognize literary elements and their effect
4.)    Interpret vocabulary in context

Listening- To assess ability to:

1.) Listen to a narrative passage
2.) Select and interpret important ideas and information
3.) Demonstrate understanding of passages in detailed responses to questions
4.) Synthesize understandings in well-developed extended response, following the conventions of standard written English  

Reading and Writing- To assess ability to:

1.)    Read two texts from different genres
2.)    Select important ideas and information
3.)    Understand literary elements and their effect
4.)    Demonstrate understanding of passages in detailed responses to questions
5.)    Synthesize understandings in well-developed extended response, following the conventions of standard written English

Independent Writing- To assess ability to:

1.)    Create well-developed expressive and expository responses to a given task, using knowledge of literary elements and expository structures and following the conventions of standard written English

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  Scoring Procedures

The fourth grade test was regionally scored for the first two years.  Currently, schools have the option of scoring the papers in-house or teaming with another district.  Our district teamed with The Caledonia-Mumford School District to score the 2001 test.

There are three sets of rubrics used to score the test.  Click here to find out more information about assessing student work with rubrics. Click on the links below to view examples of the actual rubrics used to score the test.

Note: These files are in .pdf format and will require Acrobat Reader to view.  Click here to download the free Reader.

• Listening/Reading/Writing,

• Independent Writing,

• Writing Mechanics   

  Date and Length of Test

The 4^th Grade ELA test takes place the last week in January.  The length of the test is three days.  The students only work on the test for about an hour each day.

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  Helping Your Child Succeed 

Check back here to find out how you can help your child acquire literacy skills.

Related Links: 

• Compact for Reading
• Essential Elements of Reading (published by the NYSED, in .pdf)
• Strategies for Developing Literacy Skills (from NYSED, in .pdf)

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  Examples of the Fourth Grade ELA Assessment 

• Part I: Part One is a reading comprehension assessment.  The actual test is sent back to the State Education Department yearly.
• Part II: Listening
• Part III: Reading/Writing

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