The Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA)

The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, and educators with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the Pennsylvania Core and 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 varying 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. PSSA results can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities. The Pennsylvania Department of Education

PSSA Testing Schedule

The Wissahickon School District will administer the 2024 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) to all students in Grades 3 through 8 beginning at the end of April.  The PSSA subject area test administrations will occur during the following windows:

Subject	Grade Levels	Testing Dates
English Language Arts	Grades 3-8	April 22 – 26, 2024
Mathematics	Grades 3-8	April 29 – May 3, 2024
Science	Grades 4 and 8	May 6 – 10, 2024

 

 

 

PDE permits families the option to obtain a religious exemption; to seek this exemption, a parent/guardian must contact the principal of your child’s school during the two-weeks prior to the first day of PSSA testing to schedule an appointment to review the test.  If after reviewing the test, the parent/guardian believes the test is in conflict with their religious beliefs, he/she must write a letter to the district’s Assistant Superintendent requesting a religious exemption.

Testing and Procedural Information

PSSA Parent/Guardian FAQ 

PSSA Report Interpretation Guide - English
PSSA Report Interpretation Guide - Spanish

PSSA Use of Electronic Devices

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has instituted a policy regarding the use of electronic devices during the administration of all State assessments, including both PSSA and Keystone Exams.

In an era of cell phones, smartphones and other electronic devices which can easily photograph and instantly share photographs, confidential and secure test materials can be easily compromised. Not only is it expensive to replace a compromised test item, the material contained in the PSSA and Keystone Exams is copyrighted property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Copying or duplicating the material from the assessment, including the taking of photograph, is a violation of the federal Copyright Act.

Students are not permitted to have cell phones, smartphones, E-readers, Nooks, Kindles, iPads, iPods, tablets, camera-ready devices, smartwatches, and any other electronic device which can be used to photograph or duplicate test materials, access the internet and/or communicate with others during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams. We are notifying you of this policy in advance and encourage you to have your child leave such items at home on assessment days. During the weeks prior to the assessment dates, administrators and teachers will remind students not to bring to the testing room cell phones, cameras, or any other type of electronic device which could be disruptive and/or could take a photo of the assessment.

If your child brings any such device to school on a testing day, the student will be required to leave the device in his/her locker or the Test Administrator will collect the devices in the testing room as required prior to the start of testing. If your child uses the device in the testing room in any way, your child will be subject to discipline per District and school policies. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and attention to this matter.