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State Assessments

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.  Standards Aligned System

Keystone Examinations

Keystone Exams

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, English Literature and Biology. The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania's statewide high school graduation requirements beginning with the graduating class of 2022. Every Pennsylvania student must take the Keystone exams in each of these three tested subjects and demonstrate proficiency by their Junior year. For more information on Pennsylvania Statewide graduation requirements and Keystone exams, please visit https://goo.gl/TsSYa1.