• PSSA

    The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the 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. School districts possess the freedom to design curriculum and instruction to ensure that students meet or exceed the standards' expectations.

    Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 5 and 8 is assessed in science.

    Individual student scores, provided only to their respective schools, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning.

    In compliance with §4.51(a)(4) of the PA School Code the State Board of Education approved, "specific criteria for advanced, proficient, basic and below basic levels of performance."


    2025 Assessment Schedule     
     
    Assessment​ ​Dates ​Grades
    ​English Language Arts ​April 21 - 25, 2025 ​Grades 3-8
    ​Mathematics, Science and Make-ups ​April 28 - May 2, 2025 ​Grades 3-8
    ​Early Reporting Deadline ​May 2, 2025 ​Grades 3-8 
    PSSA Math, Science, Make-ups (Optional) ​May 5 - 9, 2025 (No early reporting) ​Grades 3-8

     

     
    Anchors and Eligible Content
    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. Stout and must adhere to the protocol identified on page 18 of the 2024 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Handbook.