Assessment Services - Scoring & Training

• Test Window: Monday, March 9, 2026 through Friday, June 5, 2026.

• All assessments must be completed or Special Circumstance Codes entered by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026.
  • This is a hard close with no exceptions.
  • Do not wait until the final days to test or enter codes.
    • See additional information about Special Circumstance Codes below.
• Refer to the School Administrator’s Manual (SAM) for guidance on all testing procedures

NYSAA is a secure State test. 

• Only qualified and trained school personnel should administer the NYSAA. 
• Teachers are not allowed to open the exam without a student present (previewing the exam is NOT allowed). 
• Teachers should not share the student’s Kite log-in credential with the student. 
• Teachers need to access the Testlet Information Page (TIP) for each testlet before beginning the tests session. Upon reviewing Reports in KITE, the TIPs are not being accessed.
• "The building principal is responsible for all aspects of the school’s test administration and must take appropriate measures both to prevent, as much as possible, and to investigate all security breaches and irregularities associated with the administration and scoring of the test" (Section 102.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education). Any testing irregularities must be reported to NYSED's Office of State Assessment and Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability.

DTCs and BTCs should be running reports and monitoring testing progress during the testing window from March 9, 2026 to June 5, 2026. Refer to the Assessment Coordinator Manual for types of extracts you can access and the Educator Portal User Guide for explanations of each report.

Continue to confirm accuracy in all Kite student data. Errors in student data will cause a misadministration (administrative error), impacting school accountability. Remember to ensure:

• Students are enrolled using their State NYSSIS ID, not their district ID
• Students names are entered correctly
• Students' Dates of Birth and grade-levels are entered correctly

Teachers should monitor their own students' testlet progress:

• To monitor a student’s progress by subject area, select the Test Management screen in Educator Portal. The Test Progress column indicates the number of the testlet being administered and the total number of testlets available for each grade and subject area.

Student writing samples generated during NYSAA testing are securely uploaded to the Educator Portal (EP) to serve as validity evidence. Teachers must manage the upload of student writing samples through the Surveys tab within the Educator Portal.

• Timing: Writing samples are submitted after a student completes a writing testlet.
• Linking: Samples must be directly linked to the individual student profile in the portal.
• File Retention: Districts are required to keep the physical or digital student writing product on file for one year following the administration of the test.
• View the Educator Portal User Guide for more information and instructions.

• If a student cannot participate in the NYSAA, a Special Circumstance Code must be entered:
  • Only DTCs and BTCs may enter these codes.
  • Codes are school-year specific and subject specific.
  • Codes must be entered before the testing window closes.
• New: Special Circumstance Codes may now be entered prior to the testing window opening.
• Refer to the Special Circumstance Code Directions for detailed instructions.

• DTCs and BTCs must verify all NYSAA students in Kite, even if no students are testing. This must be done after the state data upload is complete (after Nov 19).
  •  Confirm that State IDs (NYSSIS) are being used for each student. 
    • State NYSSIS IDs are 10-digit IDs.
    • Do not use local district IDs.
    • Incorrect IDs prevent the state from linking test results to the student.
  •  Confirm each student is designated as NYSAA on their IEP. 
  •  Verify Dates of Birth (DOB) and grade level alignment using the  Birthdate Chart.
    • DOB determines testing grade level and subjects; adjust the grade level in Kite to match the chart.
    • Students whose DOB does not fall into any of the ranges on the chart should not be tested, unless they are exiting high school and have never taken a high school NYSAA.
    • High School students whose DOB appears on the Birthdate Chart must be enrolled as 9th graders in Kite, regardless of their actual seated grade level (this does not affect local school enrollment systems).
  •  Confirm the student is enrolled in your district and the correct school building in Kite. 
    • If a student is no longer enrolled in your district, exit them (see page 33 in the SAM)
    • If you need to contact NYSED for a student transfer per the Exit Circumstance Code instructions, contact Dr. Jacqueline Harnett directly.
    • Missing Students: Add any students not included in the state upload. Follow the “Adding & Editing Students” video instructions (Dynamic Learning Maps website).
•  Data inaccuracies (IDs, DOBs, grades) continue to be identified statewide—verification is essential.

• Before Nov 17, DTCs/BTCs should have ensured:
  • All teachers have activated Kite accounts.
  • All staff have signed the Security Agreement.
  • All test administrators have completed the required online DLM training (opened Sept 30).
  • Verify staff completion using Data Extract Reports in Kite (Reports → Data Management).
• After Nov 19, DTCs may begin the rostering and student verification process.

• Coordinate with District IT teams:
  • Ensure student testing devices meet all required technical specifications (see Kite Student Portal IT updates).
  • Ensure the most updated version of Kite Student Portal has been installed onto student testing devices prior to March 9th. 

• Review the NYSAA School Administrators Manual (SAM) for 2025–26.
• Use the DTC/BTC Checklist and the Educator Checklist.
• Utilize the 3-minute walkthrough videos for staff/user management in Kite.
• Use the Special Circumstance Code Directions to enter Special Circumstance Codes for students not testing.
• Access all materials online (Birthdate Chart, SAM, manuals, etc.); no printed materials will be mailed.

• WIDA will replace the NYSESLAT in the 2026-27 school year.
• The WIDA has alternate assessments for multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
• WIDA seeks educator participants for item review and alternate assessment development events (in-person and virtual). Educators who have experience working with multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities are invited to apply.
• Interested educators should complete the WIDA participation survey. WIDA will contact selected participants on a rolling basis throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
• Questions should be emailed directly to help@wida.wisc.edu (not to NYSED).

• Subscribe to NYSAA DLM Test Updates to receive ongoing notifications.
  • Subscribe once and forget it! No need to re-subscribe each year. Just let us know if your email address changes.
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• Email NYSED’s NYSAA Program Manager for district-specific support (e.g., student transfers): Dr. Jacqueline Harnett, jacqueline.harnett@nysed.gov