New York State Education Department
Office of State Assessment
Status of Testing Accommodations for English Language Learners
Elementary/Middle School State Tests
Curriculum Area
Grade
English Language Arts
3-8
Approved Accommodations for LEP Students
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Mathematics
3-8
Social Studies
5&8
Science
4&8
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Optimum testing environment
Extended test time
Use of bilingual translation dictionaries
(text and electronic)
Read listening comprehension passage 3 times
Include ESL teacher to proctor and score test
Optimum testing environment
Extended test time
Translated test into Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Spanish
Mathematics also available in Korean, Russian
Oral translations for low incidence languages
Use of bilingual glossaries
Allow simultaneous use of English and Native
Language versions of test
High School Regents Exams
Curriculum Area
Grade
English
11
Approved Accommodations for LEP Students
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Mathematics
10
Social Studies
10 & 11
Science
9 - 12
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Optimum testing environment
Extended test time
Use of bilingual translation dictionaries
(text and electronic)
Read listening comprehension passage 3 times
Include ESL teachers to proctor and score test
Component retesting
Optimum testing environment
Extended test time
Translated test into Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Korean,
Russian, Spanish
Oral translations for low incidence languages
Use of bilingual glossaries
Allow simultaneous use of English and Native
Language versions of test
Component retesting (Math)
Information regarding LEP student testing accommodations and exemptions are available at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/
Erie 1 BOCES BETAC 9-28-06 (TEL. # 821-7545)
Important Additional Information on Testing Accommodations
 All LEP students must take the NYSESLAT.
 All LEP students must take the 3 – 8 ELA test. Only those students who have been enrolled for less than one year in a
US school may be exempt from the 3 – 8 ELA test.
 All LEP students must take and pass content area Regents exams required to earn their Regents diploma. (ELA, Math A,
Global History, US History and Government and one Science).
 All LEP students must take state exams in math, science, social studies at all grade levels regardless of the number of
years in US schools.
 Optimum testing environment generally refers to a separate testing environment and/or small group administration.
 Extended test time (Not permitted on NYSESLAT)
 Read ELA listening passage 3 times (Not permitted on NYSESLAT)
 Use of bilingual glossaries is permitted. Several bilingual glossaries have been prepared by the State.
 Use of bilingual translation dictionaries is permitted, text and electronic. Must be word for word translation only, no
definitions. (Not permitted on NYSESLAT).
 Oral translation permitted for low incidence languages (Not permitted on ELA assessments)
 A translator that is used for low incidence languages must provide oral, direct translations; written translations are not
permitted. The translator should be given a copy of the test one hour before the starting time of the test to allow him or
her to become familiar with the material.
 The BETAC recommends that when contacting a translator the district representative clearly identify the curriculum area
that the translator will be expected to translate (Example, Earth science). Additionally, a glossary of content vocabulary
in that curriculum area would help prepare the translator for content specific or unique vocabulary before the test is
administered.
 The school or school district is responsible for paying for the translation of student tests.
 LEP students whose State test is available in their native language may not have a translator.
 Simultaneous use of English and Native Language versions of test is permitted, but the student must choose which
version of the test to take and only one version of the test can be submitted for scoring.
 LEP students making use of alternative language editions or oral translations of State examinations, with the exception of
the ELA, may write their responses to open-ended questions in their native language. (The ELA is an assessment of
English; therefore, answers must be in English).
 Simultaneous use of both the English and Native Language version of a state exam is limited to those tests in which the
state has provided alternative language editions.
Information regarding LEP student testing accommodations and exemptions are available at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/
Erie 1 BOCES BETAC 9-28-06 (TEL. # 821-7545)