What Does All This Testing Really Mean?
As you may know, we are about to begin the PSSA testing season. I've outlined below what this test is and what it is used for in regard to your child. It is always our goal to keep the PSSA tests in perspective as it is one measure used to help us understand where your child is as a learner.
What is the PSSA?
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based assessment administered in all Pennsylvania public schools. The PSSA measures how well students have achieved in reading and mathematics according to Pennsylvania’s academic standards.
What do PSSA scores mean?
Students are identified as performing in one of four levels: advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic. The goal is for all students to be proficient or advanced – meaning that they have mastered Pennsylvania’s assessment content standards at their grade level.
How is the test data used?
Properly used, standards-based tests are a source of information that can:
1. Identify individual strengths and weaknesses in subject areas, allowing teachers to tailor their lesson plans to focus on areas of study where students need the most work.
2. Allow schools to identify areas for improvement, measure progress, and allocate resources.
3. Help parents better understand where their children are succeeding and where they need extra help.
4. Provide teachers with insight into their own teaching practices.
- Make sure your child is well-rested and eats a well-rounded breakfast.
- Encourage your child to listen carefully to test-taking directions and ask questions about any instructions that are unclear.
- Encourage your child to read all directions slowly and carefully.
- Do not be overly anxious about test scores, but do encourage your child to take tests seriously.
- Use scratch paper to solve math problems.
- When speaking with your child about the test, please reaffirm that all anyone can ask is that they do their best. It’s an exciting opportunity to show everyone what they’ve learned.
A Bigger Emphasis
These tests are a quick snapshot of where children are as learners and are only one tool used to measure a student’s performance. Many factors impact how well students perform on the tests. As mentioned earlier, things such as sleep, diet, and other variables during the week of testing affect the attentiveness and alertness of elementary-aged children. Although the achievement tests provide useful information, they are by no means a complete indicator of a student’s performance, nor are they designed to be the single determinant of a student’s achievement and knowledge. Classroom assessments are on-going and happen over the course of the year. A greater emphasis should be placed on a child’s classroom performance.
The Bottom Line
It is valuable to have a variety of detailed assessment information showing where a child is as a learner. With the information placed in the appropriate context, it should be used by both parent and school to help children move forward in understanding what the best possible course is in helping each child continue his or her growth as a young learner.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at Ext. 8001 or our school counselor, Amy Miller, at Ext. 8010.