2023 PSSA and Keystone Information

The District will be administering the PSSAs this year in compliance with the PA Department of Education's direction. The results we achieve on these exams provide us with valuable information that can be used to assess our students' knowledge of grade-level standards, our teaching, and our educational programming. Our students have been working hard throughout the year and are prepared for these exams.

For more testing information, please visit the PSSA page for bells schedules, frequently asked questions, and testing resources. 

2023 Testing Schedule:

• April 24-26 - English Language Arts (ELA) PSSA - Grades 6-8
• May 2 & 3 - Math PSSA - Grades 6-8
• May 4 & 5 - Science PSSA - Grade 8 only
• Keystone Algebra 1 - May 23 & 24 - Grade 8 only

Testing will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will end at 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. However, the tests are untimed. Any student in need of extended time may finish later than 11:00 a.m.

Testing Tips:

Though we have been exceedingly diligent with our instructional program since school started this year, and are confident in our students' abilities, these assessments may bring a heightened level of worry. While this worry is understandable, it can be minimized. Here are some easy ways you can help your child to be at their best during the PSSA test window:

• Get a good night's sleep
• Insist on a good breakfast before school
• Arrive at school on time
• Instill a sense of confidence and a desire for your child(ren) to do their best no matter how hard the tests may be
• Let them know how proud you are of their abilities and their efforts

PSSA Overview:

The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student's attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 4 and 8 is assessed in Science. Individual student scores can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning. In compliance with §4.51(b)(4) of the PA School Code the State Board of Education approved, "specific criteria for advanced, proficient, basic and below basic levels of performance." (excerpt from the Pennsylvania Department of Education website)

It is important to understand that these tests are a snapshot of your student's performance during a given time frame. The results may not be an indication of how successful your student has been all year. These scores are primarily used to provide administration and teachers with information that they need to guide instruction, make curriculum changes, and identify individual students that may need extra support in a specific content area.