Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA)
PSSAs are state assessments that all public schools in the State of Pennsylvania must participate in. The assessments are administered to grades 3rd through 8th. All testing grades take part in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) assessments while grades 4th and 8th only take the Science PSSAs. Although there are no time limitations Mathematics and ELA assessments take 3-4 hours and Science Assessments take about 2-4 hours.
Based on the test results and reflection of our experience with previous year tests we decided to administer Mathematics PSSAs on paper and the other assessments online. Scheduling the tests typically is an issue with so many different grades being tested and with a limited testing window. We have a sufficient number of Chromebooks so we can test all students at the same time. Paper tests can be administered at the same time. PSSA Reading will take place April 11-15. Mathematics PSSAs are during the week of April 18. Science PSSAs take place the week of April 25. All tests will be administered in the morning on multiple days. We will do one section per day so we have shorter testing times per day than what we had in the past.
We are preparing for administration of the PSSAs so that we adhere to all regulations while we provide the best environment for our students so they can show what they really can perform. We will provide breakfast for all testing students during testing days. We will provide several breaks during the test and snacks will also be offered. The bells and public access announcements will be turned off during the testing time. There are special schedules prepared for teachers for those days. All staff who will take a role in the PSSA administration will be trained accordingly.
We would like our students to get plenty of rest and feel as comfortable as they can during the testing window. Our students should perform the best they can although we do not want them to stress over the tests. These assessments are designed to assess the success of the educational institutions and educators. However, the student test results are used for student placement decisions by the schools.
Please do not hesitate to contact me. Below you will find a document prepared by the PDE that provides information to parents and guardians.
Based on the test results and reflection of our experience with previous year tests we decided to administer Mathematics PSSAs on paper and the other assessments online. Scheduling the tests typically is an issue with so many different grades being tested and with a limited testing window. We have a sufficient number of Chromebooks so we can test all students at the same time. Paper tests can be administered at the same time. PSSA Reading will take place April 11-15. Mathematics PSSAs are during the week of April 18. Science PSSAs take place the week of April 25. All tests will be administered in the morning on multiple days. We will do one section per day so we have shorter testing times per day than what we had in the past.
We are preparing for administration of the PSSAs so that we adhere to all regulations while we provide the best environment for our students so they can show what they really can perform. We will provide breakfast for all testing students during testing days. We will provide several breaks during the test and snacks will also be offered. The bells and public access announcements will be turned off during the testing time. There are special schedules prepared for teachers for those days. All staff who will take a role in the PSSA administration will be trained accordingly.
We would like our students to get plenty of rest and feel as comfortable as they can during the testing window. Our students should perform the best they can although we do not want them to stress over the tests. These assessments are designed to assess the success of the educational institutions and educators. However, the student test results are used for student placement decisions by the schools.
Please do not hesitate to contact me. Below you will find a document prepared by the PDE that provides information to parents and guardians.