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.
All Pennsylvania students in grades 3-8 are assessed in English Language Arts and Math. All Pennsylvania students in grades 4 and 8 are 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
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. For more information on Pennsylvania Statewide graduation requirements and Keystone exams, please visit https://goo.gl/TsSYa1.
Official 2026-2027 Pennsylvania state testing windows for the PSSA and Keystone Exams have been established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
PSSA (Grades 3-8)
English Language Arts (ELA): April 26 - April 30, 2027
Mathematics, Science, and Make-ups: May 3 - May 7, 2027
Optional Math, Science, and Make-ups: May 10 - May 14, 2027
Keystone Exams
Winter: January 4 - January 15, 2027
Spring: May 17 - May 28, 2027