December 2015

Dear Educator,

In order to better serve our students, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is working with Dynamic Learning Maps™ (DLM®) to provide the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for the 2015-2016 school year. DLM is a national leader in alternative assessment, and has partnered with states and experts in special education and cognitive disabilities to develop a state-of-the-art, adaptive assessment specifically developed to be accessible for students.

There are a few key differences between the DLM English language arts and mathematics assessments and the datafolio-style assessments of past years:

  • Assessments are administered using a computer. Please note that answers can be input in many ways, including through technology-based assistive devices or by the teacher responding on behalf of the student. The system is designed to be flexible and inclusive.
  • Assessments adapt to the student’s level of content knowledge. This provides a more accurate reflection of what students know and are able to do.
  • Assessments are administered individually to each student. No two tests will be the same, just as no two students are the same.
  • Assessment delivery is flexible and the system provides numerous technology-enhanced accommodations from which to choose.
  • Assessment items are based on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Essential Elements, which are specific statements of knowledge and skills that are important learning targets for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The essential elements are located on the DLM website:
  • Assessments are scored by computer software, thereby allowing scores to be returned in a much shorter timeline.

NYSED and DLM will provide comprehensive test administration training utilizing the established Alternative Assessment Training Network (AATN). The training window is scheduled for January 8 through February 16, 2016, and is required for all educators administering the assessment. Detailed information regarding your specific training times and locations will be provided by the Alternative Assessment Training Network.

The 2015-16 NYSAA administration window for ELA and mathematics is March 21 to June 3, 2016. We anticipate that the assessment will take approximately 60 minutes of total testing time in mathematics and about 90 minutes in English language arts. (Note that it is not expected for students to take either test in one sitting.)

To learn more about the new NYSAA assessments prior to training, please visit the DLM website: This page contains a variety of resources to support you through training and testing.

In the coming weeks you will receive an email from DLM confirming the creation of your account in the DLM Educator Portal. The subject of this email will be “Activate your Account for KITE Assessment Administration”. It is important to follow the directions contained in the email and to retain the email for future reference.

Please visit datasupport.nysed.gov for data-related information and to submit data-related questions to NYSED. For questions regarding the online testing system or for non data-related assistance, please contact the DLM Service Desk at 1-855-277-9751 (toll-free) or .

Best Regards,

NYSED and DLM Staff