As a native New Yorker, I’ve always considered the Empire State among the finest places to live in the United States or anywhere else. Sure, other parts of the world may boast higher mountains or tropical birds or sophisticated accents, but New York offers the complete rural-urban-suburban experience with access to incredible ecosystems, fascinating personalities, four full seasons, and safety from natural disasters more devastating than a blizzard. What we’ve been missing that other states could offer, however, has been that coveted February ACT administration. At least until now…
ACT, the nonprofit developer of the ACT® test and other assessments taken by millions of individuals worldwide, will begin offering its February national ACT test date in the state of New York starting in 2019. The state’s high school students will now have six opportunities each year to take the ACT, rather than five.
ACT’s February test date, which is offered in other states, has not previously been offered in New York due to a state disclosure law…
New York state law requires standardized testing companies to make regular disclosures of test contents to the State Education Department. Due to the disclosure schedule, ACT was previously limited to offering only five test dates throughout the year. In an effort to provide students expanded testing opportunities, Senate Bill 8639 was introduced by Sen. LaValle allowing ACT an exemption to offer an additional test date annually while still complying with disclosure requirements.
Senate Bill 8639 was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Nov. 5.
To summarize, the ACT has not been administered in New York in February since 1979. Effective immediately, the ACT will be administered in New York on February 9, 2019, assuming schools will offer the test. ACT is currently working with test centers to establish locations for the upcoming February test date. Locations will be added as options during registration as they become available.
Note that the wording of this legislation only permits a sixth test, which means that New Yorkers may still be out of luck for the seventh national test administration in July. Stay tuned for updates!
Mike Bergin