General Questions

     1.  Is the New York State mathematics standard being revised?

Yes. On January 11, 2005 the Board of Regents approved a revised NYS Mathematics Learning Standard 3. The NYS core curriculum in mathematics was finalized and made available in March 2005.  For more information, see http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/guidancepk8.htm (for grades PreK-8) and http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/guidance912.htm (for grades 9-12).

By law, New York State is a non-endorsing state. It respects the tradition of local choice that empowers educators to select textbooks, identify products, and use a rich array of instructional strategies and activities to meet student needs. These local practices are being shared through the New York State Education Department's Virtual Learning System.

     3.  When are the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) 3-8 tests in ELA and mathematics going to be implemented?

New York State's fourth- and eighth-grade testing program ended in the 2004-05 school year. NCLB law required every state to test students in grades 3–8 beginning in 2005-06. New York State tests students in ELA (in January, 2006) and mathematics (in March, 2006). 
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/home.html

     4.  At what grade(s) are the New York State mathematics examination given?

Mathematics examinations are given at each grade level in grades 3-8, and Regents examinations are given at the commencement-level. Current information is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/home.html

Elementary-Level Questions

1. What are the dates for the elementary mathematics assessment?

Dates of the elementary-level state assessments are posted at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/sched.html .

Intermediate-Level Questions

1. What are the dates for the intermediate-level mathematics assessment?

Dates of the intermediate-level state assessments are posted at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/sched.html .

    2.  Are calculators permitted on the intermediate-level mathematics?

The Guidance for Calculator Use in the Classroom and on State Assessments in Mathematics summarizes the policy decisions made regarding the use of calculators.  PDF / Microsoft Word  / HTML

Commencement-Level Questions

   1. Will students entering the ninth grade in September of 2006, September of 2007, or September of 2008 only have to take and pass 2 out of the 3 new commencement-level examinations to fulfill the mathematics requirement for a Regents diploma with advanced designation?

No. The only way a student entering ninth grade in September of 2006, September of 2007, or September of 2008 can meet the mathematics requirement for a Regents diploma with advanced designation with 2 examinations is through one of the following combinations: Mathematics A and Mathematics B, or Mathematics A and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry. Of course, a student who passes all three new commencement-level regents mathematics examinations that begin in June of 2008: Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry would fulfill the mathematics requirement for a Regents diploma with advanced designation.

1. The final administration of the Sequential Course I Regents examination was January 2002.
2. The final administration of the Sequential Course II Regents examination was January 2003.
3. The final administration of the Sequential Course III Regents examination was January 2004.

   a. The final administration of Mathematics A will be January 2009.
   b. The final administration of Mathematics B will be June 2010.

   4. What calculators can be used on the Mathematics A and/or Mathematics B Regent examination?

Graphing calculators without symbolic manipulation are permitted, but not required, for the Mathematics A Regents examination. They are required for the Mathematics B Regents examination.

Calculators with symbolic manipulation capabilities (built-in computer algebra systems), QWERTY keyboards, portable computers, handheld electronic devices capable of infrared electronic transmission and devices capable of wireless communication are not permitted for use during the Mathematics A and Mathematics B Regents examinations. The memory of any calculator with programming capability should be cleared or reset prior to the administration of Regents examinations.

See Guidance for Calculator Use in the Classroom and on State Assessments in Mathematics.  PDF / Microsoft Word  / HTML .

   5.  What are the diploma requirements in mathematics for students who enter ninth grade on or after September 2005?

Students must earn three units of credits in mathematics and must take and pass one Regents examination in mathematics.

For more information see http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/part100/pages/1005a.html

     6.  What course can be used to earn a third unit of credit in mathematics?

Schools may award a third unit of credit in mathematics to students who successfully complete a locally-developed specialized course, as defined in Commissioner's Regulations 100.5(b)(7)(iv). Locally-developed, specialized courses are reviewed and approved by the district or BOCES. A specialized course presents the subject matter in greater depth and/or breadth and/or may be interdisciplinary. Mathematics must be an integral part of the course, and its content must be aligned with the commencement-level learning standards  http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/mnotice4.html .
     Also, a technology education course may be used as the third unit of mathematics or science under the revised graduation requirements http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/thirdunit.pdf . 

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