March 31: B.E.S.T. Writing Assessment Information
Statewide Testing Update
Important Information for Grades 6, 7, & 8
B.E.S.T. Writing Assessment
📅 Test Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
⏱️ Duration: One 120-minute session (Computer-Based)
💻 Practice at Home: Sample Test Items
Dear Parent/Guardian, your student will soon take the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Writing assessment. Please review the following mandatory policies with your student to ensure their score remains valid.
🚫 Electronic Devices Policy:
Students are not allowed to access any electronic devices (cell phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, Bluetooth earbuds) at any time during testing or breaks, even if turned off. If a student is found with a device, their test will be invalidated.
📝 Testing Rules & Requirements
- Discussing Test Content: Because the assessment is secure, students may not reveal details about test items or passages via text, email, or social media after the test.
- Working Independently: Students are responsible for protecting their answers. Any student caught cheating will have their test invalidated.
- Leaving Campus: If a student leaves campus (for an appointment or lunch) before completing the test, they will not be allowed to return to it. Please do not schedule appointments on testing days.
- Arriving Late: Students arriving after testing has begun will wait in a supervised location until testing concludes and will make up the assessment on a later date.
🕒 Extra Time & Accommodations
- Extra Time: Students actively working at the end of the 120 minutes may be provided extra time. Students who are not actively working (e.g., sleeping) will be dismissed at the end of regular time.
- Accommodations: If your student has an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or is an ELL student, please contact the school to verify the accommodations that will be provided.
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School • Together we SOAR!