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What is a field test?

Field testing allows for test questions to be tried out so the publisher can see how the test question works and determine whether or not to use that question in a future, “actual” test.  In other words, field testing ensures the validity and reliability of test questions used in the “actual” test. 

What is the purpose of these field tests?

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of State Assessment declared “field testing is a fundamental part of the test development process, ensuring the validity and reliability of the operational tests. These field tests contain questions that may only be used on New York State tests and benefit only our students and schools.” Students who participate in the NYS Field Tests do not receive a grade or score.

Can a school district refuse to administer the field tests?

No, according to a January 2013 NYSED Office of State Assessment memo, “all schools that administer New York State operational tests are also required to administer the field tests associated with those tests.”

A copy of this NYSED memo can be found at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/ei/2013/student-participation.pdf 

Can a parent/student refuse to take the NYS Regents exam field tests?

A parent or legal guardian may choose to have their child refuse, or more commonly known as “opt out,” of the NYS Field Test. 

At Burr Intermediate School

Parents/guardians whose child refused the April 2019 Grade 5 ELA test will not be administered the upcoming Grade 5 ELA field test.

If a child sat for the April 2019 Grade 5 ELA test and their parent/guardian now chooses to have their child refused the upcoming field test, please refer to the principals’ field test letter for directions. Please click here for the Burr letter.

At Commack High School and Commack Middle School

Parents/guardians who choose to have their child refuse the NYS Regents Exam field tests as noted below should follow the directions provided on the principals’ field test letter.

Please click here for the Middle School Letter.

Please click here for the High School Letter.

Email Notification

On May 23, 3019, Commack Middle School will be administering the Living Environment Field Test during their Living Environment class period. Additionally, on May 23, 2019, Commack High School will be administering the Physics and Algebra II field tests during the corresponding class period. Further, at Burr Intermediate School only, students in Grade 5 will be administered the Two-Point Constructed Response sections of the ELA field test on May 31, 2019.

As part of the test development process, the Office of State Assessment requires districts to field test questions in schools throughout the State in order to ensure the validity and reliability of the New York State Testing Program.  Further, SED mandates that all schools that administer New York State operational tests are to administer field tests.  Your child will not receive a score or a grade due to participation in the field test.

The District’s position has been and continues to be that we are against over-testing, and field testing is yet another unnecessary burden in that regard. However, we are required to administer these field tests despite our vociferous objections and advocacy. 

In Commack, we believe it is a parents’ right to refuse to have their child sit for these field tests. Should you choose to refuse your child’s participation in a field test, please follow the directions on the principals’ field test letter. These field test letters are being mailed to the homes of students who are enrolled in classes with a field test. Also, the field test letters are posted to the Backpack News.

IMPORTANT

In order to prepare for the field tests, follow the directions on the principals’ field test letter. These letters are both mailed home and posted on Backpack News.