PSSA Testing

The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment (PSSA) 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. (Pennsylvania Department of Education)

Tested Subjects

All students in grades 3-8 will be tested in the areas of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Students in grades 4 and 8 will also be tested in the area of Science.

2022-23 USCSD PSSA Testing Dates

Testing windows are established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Please make every effort for your student to be present on the test administration dates. Any student absent on planned testing days will be required to complete a make-up testing session. 

Request for Review

Parents/guardians may review the assessments prior to their administration by making arrangements with the principal or school counselor at their child’s school. Confidentiality agreements must be signed and no copies of the assessments or notes about them will be permitted to leave the school. The assessments will be available for review in early April. After reviewing the assessments, if a parent objects to their child participating in one or all of the assessments due to a conflict with their religious beliefs, they may indicate their religious objection in writing to Dr. John Rozzo, Superintendent, to excuse the child from the assessment(s). This must be received in the Superintendent’s office at least one week before the testing window.

Additional important information regarding the PSSA is linked below. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school counselor. We thank you for your cooperation and support.

• 2023 PSSA Information for Parents from PDE
  
  

Student Report Interpretation Guide

The Student Report displays how a student performed on the PSSA Exam. This guide helps explain the scores on the student’s report. Remember, these exams are only one measure of the student’s academic growth.

• PSSA Student Report Guide
  
  

District Assessment Coordinator

Dr. Lauren Madia
Director of Pupil Services
lmadia@uscsd.k12.pa.us