D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Deer Lakes School District P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT The PSSA is a state assessment in Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Science given each year to Pennsylvania’s public school students to measure student achievement of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. What is the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT  Reading and Math Assessments are administered to students in grades 3-8  Science Assessments are administered to students in Grade 4 and 8 Who must take the assessment?

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT  New PSSA reflects the PA Core Standards (adopted in 2013)  More difficult challenging test  Raises the expectation of what students are required to know The 2015 PSSA is a new assessment

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT  More rigorous standards  More complex – multi-step questions  More thoughtful reasoning by students  Some content is being taught a full grade level earlier  Measures different content than previous years tests  New test requires a deeper knowledge, stronger problem solving, writing and critical thinking skills 2015 PSSA Tests

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT  Baseline for future growth  Cannot compare scores to previous years scores because the tests are so radically different  Dramatic decline in proficient-level scores at schools throughout the state Scores

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT  The SPP score is based largely on the results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests  State-required end-of-course Keystone Exams  Amount of growth students showed in one year as measured by the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System.  Other factors considered include graduation rates, attendance, participation in Advanced Placement courses, and PSAT  The only school that will receive an SPP score this year is the high school School Performance Profile (SPP Score)

D EER L AKES S CHOOL D ISTRICT P ARENT I NFORMATION N IGHT  This data will serve as our new baseline  Our students have not changed, the assessment has dramatically changed  Review curriculum and instructional program  Began the revision and alignment of English Language Arts (ELA) and Math curriculum Deer Lakes On The right track