The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is an annual assessment administered in commonwealth classrooms in grades 3 through 8, in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science (grades 4 and 8). Pennsylvania adopted more rigorous PA Core Standards in late 2013 for ELA and Math and the 2015 PSSA marked the first time the assessment was fully-aligned to the new the standards. These new, more rigorous standards aim to better prepare students for the 21^st century work force.

Assessment	Dates	Grades
English Language Arts	April 19-September 30, 2021	Grades 3-8
Mathematics	April 26-September 30, 2021	Grades 3-8
Science	May 3-September 30, 2021	Grades 4 and 8

 

The Assessment Anchors are one of the many tools the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has developed to better align curriculum, instruction and assessment practices throughout the state. PDE first released the Assessment Anchors for Mathematics and Reading in 2004. The Assessment Anchors, like the Standards, are dynamic documents and will be adjusted periodically.

 

To view the Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content in more detail, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website by clicking here.

 

Please note: Students are required to participate in these assessments. Non-school travel requests that will result in student absences will not be approved during these assessment dates. Parental request for exclusion from the assessments must be made directly to the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lloyd and must adhere to the protocol identified on page 18 of the 2021 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Handbook.