Summer 2025
Dear Superintendent,
In light of the discontinuation of state-published exams, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has provided guidance for the development of local exams. According to the NYSED LOTE FAQs (page 9), these locally developed exams can be utilized similarly to those previously provided by NYSED. Specifically, students must pass a locally developed Checkpoint A Exam, in addition to successfully completing two units of study, to earn one unit of high school credit in 8th grade. Additionally, passing a locally developed Checkpoint B Exam, along with earning three units of credit, is required for students to obtain a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.
To support districts in meeting these graduation requirements, NYSAWLA annually develops and administers regional Checkpoint A and Checkpoint B exams in the following languages: American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The FLACS exams are currently administered in over 200 schools statewide.
As you consider joining the Exam Consortium this year, please note the following consortium terms:
Exam Administration Date:
For security purposes, all participating districts are required to administer the NYSAWLA FLACS Checkpoint A and B Examinations on the common date and time announced by NYSAWLA in early fall. Districts unable to follow the designated administration schedule will not be able to administer the examinations for that year.
Item Development:
Participating districts are encouraged to support exam development by allowing teachers to attend NYSAWLA item-writing workshops and by submitting items developed independently directly through our website for review and consideration.
Exam Access:
Access to the NYSAWLA FLACS Checkpoint A and B Examinations will be released to the Superintendent’s designee in early June to allow time for reproduction and secure storage consistent with NYSED guidance for Regents exams.
Listening Section:
NYSAWLA will provide AI-generated audio files for the Part 2 Listening Section for all languages except American Sign Language. Districts may use their own recordings or read the scripts live on the day of the exam.
Item Analysis:
NYSAWLA permits districts to conduct their own item analysis when scoring exams and to award credit for individual items if 50% or more of their students answered the item incorrectly. This adjustment applies only within the district’s own scoring process.
Make-up Exams:
The NYSAWLA FLACS Checkpoint A and B Examinations may not be used as make-up exams or administered on any date other than the stated administration date. Districts that require a make-up exam should use an alternative assessment, such as their own locally developed assessment.
Once a member of your organization joins NYSAWLA and the membership fee is paid, your district will automatically be enrolled in our Exam Consortium and granted access to our archived and current exams.
We look forward to collaborating with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Balsamo
President, NYSAWLA
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@nysawla.org.
revised 8/12/2025