General Assessment Information

Pennsylvania State Assessment System (PSSA)
Link to PSSA Website at the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) includes assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics which are taken by students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Students in grades 4 and 8 are administered the Science PSSA. The English Language Arts and Mathematics PSSAs include items that are consistent with the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The Science PSSA includes items that are aligned to the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content aligned to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science, Technology, Environment and Ecology.

Keystone Exams

Link to Keystone Website at the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments and are administered as students complete the associated Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology courses.

The Keystone Exams serve two purposes: (1) high school accountability assessments for federal and state purposes, and (2) high school graduation requirements for students beginning with the class of 2019. The Algebra I and Literature Keystone Exams include items written to the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards in Mathematics and English Language Arts. The Biology Keystone Exam includes items written to the Assessment Anchor/Eligible Content aligned to the enhanced Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science.

Keystone Exams in Literature are taken in 10th grade as students complete the aligned English 10 course. Biology and Algebra 1 Keystone Exams are given near the end of the aligned Algebra 1 and Biology courses. Schools will inform students about the exact testing dates for their school with testing generally scheduled near the beginning of the testing windows.