Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, teachers and learning community members with an understanding of student and school performance data related to the proficiency level of the state academic standards. These standards, in English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science and Technology identify what a student should know and be able to do at specified grade levels.

Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 4 and 8 is assessed in Science.

Assessment results are used by teachers and administrators to identify student strengths and needs to provide additional educational opportunities for growth and achievement. Additionally, these assessment results can inform schools and districts of areas for curriculum and instruction improvement. https://www.pdesas.org/