Pennsylvania State Assessments 2012 - 2013.

Pennsylvania State Assessments

Presentation Content Introduction New This Year Important Dates
Who Takes the Test Who is Excused Academic Standards Assessment Anchors Important Features Item Specifics Access Information Resource Materials Keystone Exams

Presentation Content PASA Math and Reading PASA Science PSSA Math PSSA Reading PSSA Writing PSSA Science ACCESS for ELLs NAEP CDT Monitoring Coming in 2014

New This Year Return of the Keystone Exams No PSSA-M or Grade 11 PSSA
All students in Grade 11 who have not taken the Keystone Exams must take them All PA assessments are available on-line PSSA, Keystone Exams, CDT Field testing PACC-aligned items in grades 3 – 5 in Math, Reading and Writing

Important Dates Keystone Exams Testing Window May 13 – May 24, 2013
Wave 1: December 3 – December 14, 2012 Wave 2: January 9 – January 23, 2013 May 13 – May 24, 2013 July 29 – August 2, 2013

PSSA Math and Reading April 8 - April 19, 2013 PSSA Writing Field Test
Important Dates PSSA Math and Reading April 8 - April 19, 2013 PSSA Writing Field Test February 4 – February 13, 2013 PSSA Science April 22 - April 26, 2013

Important Dates PSSA make-up for Writing
March 18 – March 22, 2013 PSSA make-up for Math, Reading and Science April 29 – May 3, 2013 ACCESS for ELLs Test Window Grades K-12 January 28 – March 8, 2013

PASA Math & Reading Grades 3 - 8, 11
Important Dates PASA Math & Reading Grades 3 - 8, 11 February 18– March 29, 2013 PASA Science Grades 4, 8, 11 May 6 – May 31, 2013 NAEP Math, Reading, Science, Writing and Economics. Grades 4, 8, 12 in selected schools January 28 – March 8, 2013

Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA)
Math & Reading: Feb 18 – Mar 29, 2013 Science: May 6 – May 31 , 2013 Writing: No statewide test form; individually created (by teacher), scored (by teacher), and stored (in IEP folder) Who participates in the PASA? Grades 3-8 and 11 Students with a significant cognitive disability

Contact information Who manages the test? PASA Project at the University of Pittsburgh (412) All test materials are shipped from and returned to PASA Project

Participation Guidelines
Student must meet all 6 eligibility criteria Guidelines are posted on PASA website and on PDE Special Education website in the ASIST document

Who Takes the PSSA? Math/Reading – All students in grades 3-8
Writing – All students in grades 5 and 8 Science – All students in grades 4 and 8

Who is Excused? Those who qualify to take the PASA
- Students must meet six criteria in order to take the alternate assessment for students who have significant disabilities. See ELLs in their first 12 months of enrollment in a U.S. school: - Must take - PSSA Math and - PSSA Science - Do not have to take - PSSA Reading - PSSA Writing - See

Accommodations Accommodations Training for PSSA and Keystone Exams: October 31, 2012, and November 6, 2012 PSSA English Language Learners PASA

PA Common Core Standards
The Pennsylvania Common Core Standards (PACC) and draft Assessment Anchors are available on SAS at:

The Taxonomy of Assessment Anchor Content Standards
Content Area Grade Level Reporting Category Assessment Anchor Content Standards (Assessment Anchors) Assessment Anchor Descriptor Eligible Content

Assessment Anchor Coding
S4.A.1.1.1 Eligible Content Science Grade Level Assessment Anchor Descriptor Reporting Category Assessment Anchor

Important Features to Know
e.g.- The list is made up of examples but are not limited to those given i.e.- The list is limited to those specific examples given

Important Features to Know
or - a student can be assessed on all or just some of the elements in the Eligible Content and - the intent is to assess each element in the Eligible Content

Resource Materials Item and Scoring Samplers
Performance Level Descriptors - Detailed description of Advanced, Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic Performance Level Cut Scores PSSA Assessment Handbook for all content areas 2013 “Getting Ready” Power Point

Keystone Exams Offered three times each year – winter, spring and summer Offered in Algebra I, Biology and Literature Students can retake them until they score at the proficient level The Project-Based Assessment part of the Keystones is being piloted

Who Takes the Keystones?
All students in Grade 11 who have not already taken a Keystone Exam in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature All students who will complete a Biology course this school year All students who will complete an Algebra I course this year All students who will complete coursework that covers the content of the Literature Exam this year

Keystones and Regulations
Students must take the Keystone Exams to meet graduation requirements under Chapter 4 Regulations Students must take the Keystone Exams to meet AYP requirements under NCLB

PSSA Math Assessment 2013

Math 2013 Criterion Referenced Five Reporting Categories
- Numbers and Operations - Measurement - Geometry - Algebra - Data Analysis

Math 2013 Student score comes from: - 60 multiple choice questions
- Three open-ended questions Students take: - 72 multiple choice in grades and 11 - Four open-ended questions All grades will alternate subject areas with Math coming first.

Math 2013 2013 Math Test Format Scores come from the COMMON ONLY.
Number of Multiple Choice Items per Student (1 point each) Number of Open-Ended Items per Student (4 points each) Grade Estimated Time of Test Common Multiple Choice Items Equating Block Items Field Test Items Common Open-Ended Items Total Number of Score Points 3-8 and 11 180 minutes 3 sessions 60 2 10 3 1 60+12= 72 Scores come from the COMMON ONLY.

Math 2013 Embedded Field Test Open-Ended items scored on a 0-4 scale
Gr 3-5 FT items based on PACC Gr 6-8 FT items based on current Anchors Open-Ended items scored on a 0-4 scale Item-specific scoring guidelines but no general rubric Formula sheets will be provided for grades 7 and 8. Formulas needed in grades 5 and 6 are provided with the item - See Resource Materials on our web site for the formula sheets and item samplers

Item Specifics Multiple choice items based on Eligible Content*
Open-ended items based on Anchor (Verbs come from Anchor, Anchor Descriptor or Eligible Content; Content comes from Eligible Content.) Reminder: Have students read the OE items carefully and answer exactly what is being asked. *All items based on the PACC may cross Eligible Content and Anchors and Reporting Categories.

Item Specifics Examples of how OE items might be phrased:
- Show or explain all your work. - Show all your work. Explain why you did each step. - Explain why [something is true or false] - Describe how [doing something affects something else; to find something, etc.]

Math 2013 Roy is running for class president. He polls 50 students. 60 percent of them say they will vote for him. A. There are 350 students in Roy’s class. Based on his survey, how many students should he expect to vote for him? Show or explain all your work. B. Roy will sell fruit drinks to raise money for his campaign. A fruit drink cost $0.10 and he sells it for $0.50. How many fruit drinks does Roy need to sell to earn $80? Show all your work. Explain why you did each step.

Math 2013 Rubric (for sample item only): Part A:
- ½ point for correct answer - 1 point for complete and correct work OR ½ point for correct but incomplete work. Part B: - 1/2 point for correct answer - 1 point for correct and compete work OR - 1 point for correct and complete explanation. ½ point for correct but incomplete explanation.

Math 2013 Rubric Metric: Total Points (within) Score (on) 4 4
3 – 3 ½ 2 – 2 ½ 2 ½ - 1 ½ 1

Math 2013 Some notes about open-ended items:
- Guess and Check is a valid method but at least two incorrect guesses must be shown to receive full credit. - Not all open-ended items require a “why.” - At least half the score points must come from one Anchor. The rest can come from anywhere else in that Reporting Category.

Math 2013 Testing time is approximately 150-180 minutes for Math.
Testing in Grades and 11. Can have a “blemish” and still get a score of 4 “e.g. missing $” may or may not be a blemish depending on the item and grade. “Guess and check” is a valid, acceptable strategy but to get full credit at least two incorrect “guesses” must be shown.

Math 2013 If an answer box is given the answer does not have to be in the answer box to receive full credit, but if there is an answer in the answer box it overrides any other answer given. An incorrect answer carried through correctly will receive full credit for the correct part.

Math 2013 Grade 4 and up: calculators ARE permitted on all but the beginning few items. Rulers and protractors will be provided at grades where needed. Students must use the rulers and protractors provided for the PSSA. (For current items, protractors are provided within the item itself. For items measuring the PACC, a separate protractor may be provided.) Rulers scaled in U.S. Customary and Metric as required by the Anchors.

Math 2013 Calculator Policy
The PSSA is designed so that calculators are not necessary for students to be successful. If students choose to use a calculator on the portions of the PSSA for which calculators are permitted then they must adhere to the guidelines listed below. It is incumbent upon the school test coordinator to ensure that all calculator policies are implemented and followed, including making sure calculators have no programs stored in their memory. Please note that if a student wants to restore the deleted programs he or she will have to back them up prior to the assessment.

Math 2013 The following are NOT allowed for the PSSA or Keystones:
Non-calculators such as cell phones, PDAs, laptops, minicomputers, pocket organizers, etc. Beaming capabilities. (These must be disabled.) Wireless communication technologies. Calculators having wireless communication technologies may be used if those technologies are disabled. Calculators with QWERTY keyboards or other typewriter-like keyboards or keypads (e.g. Dvorak).

Math 2013 The following are NOT allowed for the PSSA or Keystones:
Calculators with built in Computer Algebra Systems – CAS. Calculators that make noise, have paper tape, need to be plugged in or talk unless these specific calculators are required as an accommodation. (Please refer to the Accommodations Manual.) Sharing calculators by students during a test session. All programs/information stored in a calculator. These must be deleted prior to using that calculator on any section of the PSSA. Typically these are graphing calculators but scientific calculators may also contain stored programs.

Math 2013 This is intended to be a general description of what is not allowed. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of specific calculators, devices or technologies that cannot be used on the PSSA. As technology changes this policy will be reviewed and may also change. The current Calculator Policy is available on our website.

Math 2013 Grade 3: Grade 4 and up: CANNOT use calculators
Answers marked in test booklet Grade 4 and up: Calculators ARE permitted on all but the beginning few items.*

Numbers and Operations
Math Test Blueprint Reporting Category Grade 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 Numbers and Operations 40-50% 43-47% 41-45% 28-32% 20-24% 18-22% 12-15% Measurement Geometry 15-21% 15-20% 12-18% Algebraic Concepts 13-17% 20-27% 25-30% 36-42% Data Analysis and Probability 13-16% Total Points 72 Points

Math Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 3 4 5 6 7 8 Advanced 1370 and up 1445 and up 1483 and up 1476 and up 1472 and up 1446 and up Proficient Basic Below Basic

Keystone Algebra I Two modules
Each Module has 30 points – 18 from multiple choice and 12 from open-ended Each open-ended is worth four points Some open-ended will be machine scored Students in the class of 2017 must score at the proficient or advanced level to graduate

Keystone Algebra I Modules are scored separately and can be passed separately Students must score proficient (or higher) on the entire exam but not necessarily pass each module If a student retakes the exam the highest score on each module will count

Keystone Algebra I – What It Measures

Keystone Algebra I – Test Format

Keystone Algebra I – Point Distribution

Keystone Algebra I – Estimated Time

Charlie Wayne Division of Assessment 717-783-0358 CWayne@pa.gov

PSSA READING ASSESSMENT 2013

About the Eligible Content
The Eligible Content at each grade level shows the range of knowledge and skills drawn upon to design the PSSA for that grade level. Examining the Eligible Content across grade levels shows the progression of expectations from one grade to the next.

About the Test Three Reading Sections on the PSSA
Math and Reading sections alternate - Math: Sections 1, 3, 5 - Reading: Sections 2, 4, 6 Alignment with PA Academic Standards: Assesses knowledge and skills described in the Assessment Anchor Content Standards Target Passage Types - Eligible passage genres identified at each grade level

Question Types and Scoring
Multiple-choice responses are bubbled in by the student and scored by machine. - One point each Open-ended (short answer) responses are written out by the student and scored by trained raters. - Three points are possible for each - Item-specific scoring guide Grade 3 - Students write in test booklets Grades 4 – 8 - Students write in answer booklets

New Test Question Types
Grades 3-5 Transitional Field Test Items Selected Response (SR) (multiple choice) – worth 1-2 points Text Dependent Analysis Essay Answer – worth four points Scored with a holistic rubric

Grade 3 Three sessions Sections 2, 4, & 6 (alternates w/Math)
Approximately minutes each Target Passage Types for Common Passages - Two Stories - One Poem - One Informational - One Autobiography/Biography or one Practical/How-to/Advertisement 56 Multiple-choice items, two selected response items (40 common items) Three open-ended items (two common items) Students write ALL answers in test booklet

Grade 3 Test Format Approximate length Number of Multiple-Choice Items
(1 point each) Number of OE/SR/TDA Items (OE 3 points each, SR 1-2 points each) minutes each section Common Equating Block Field Test Field Test 40 8 2 3 Total 160 – 205 minutes Student score (Common Only): 46 points Total points on each test: 68* * Field test items do not count for student score

Grade 4-5 Three sessions Sections 2, 4, & 6 (alternates w/Math)
Approximately minutes each Target Passage Types for Common Passages - Two Stories - One Poem - One Informational - One Autobiography/Biography or one Practical/How-to/Advertisement 56 Multiple-choice items, two SR items (40 common items) Five open-ended items (4 common items) One Text Dependent Analysis item Students write ALL answers in test booklet

Grades 4–5 Test Format Number of Multiple-Choice Items (1 point each)
Approximate length Number of Multiple-Choice Items (1 point each) Number of OE/SR/TDA Items (OE3 points each, SR 1-2 points each, TDA 4 points) 50 – 95 minutes each section Common Equating Block Field Test Field Test 40 8 4 Total 190 – 235 minutes Student score (Common Only): 52 points Total points on each test: 75* * Field test items do not count for student score.

Grades 6-8 Three sessions Sections 2, 4, & 6 (alternates w/Math)
Approximately 50 –75 minutes each Target Passage Types (mix varies by grade) - Story (all grades) - Poem (all grades) - Informational (all grades) - Autobiography/Biography (eligible at all grades) - Practical/How-to/Advertisement - Essay/Editorial (grades 5, 6, 7, 8) 58 Multiple-choice items (40 common items) Five Open-ended items (four common items) Students write answers in answer booklet

Number of Multiple-Choice Items Number of Open-Ended Items
Grades 6-8 Test Format Approximate length Number of Multiple-Choice Items (1 point each) Number of Open-Ended Items (3 points each) minutes each section Common Equating Block Field Test Field Test 40 8 4 1 Total 170 – 215 minutes Student score (Common Only): 52 points Total points on each test: 73* *Field test items do not count for student score

Grade 4 Multiple Choice Question (1 point)

Grade 4 Online Multiple Choice Question (1 point)

Grade 4 Open-Ended Question (3 points)

Grade 4 Online Open-Ended Question (3 points)

Grade 4 Selected Response (2 points)

Grade 4 Online Selected Response (2 points)

Grade 4 Selected Response (3 points)

Grade 4 Online Selected Response (3 points)

Reading Reporting Clusters
Grade Comprehension and Reading Skills (Category A) Literature and Interpretation (Category B) 3 60-80% 20-40% 4 5 6 50-70% 30-50% 7 8 40-60%

(and Nonfiction) Narrative
Genre Coverage Grade Fiction (and Nonfiction) Narrative Nonfiction 3 50-70% 30-50% 4 5 6 40-60% 7 8 11

Reading Scale Score Ranges by Performance Level and Grade
Advanced 1442 and up 1469 and up 1497 1456 1470 1473 NA Proficient 1235- 1441 1255- 1468 1275- 1496 1278- 1455 1279- 1280- 1472 Basic 1168- 1234 1112- 1254 1137- 1274 1121- 1277 1131- 1278 1146- 1279 Below Basic 700- 1136 1120 1130 1145

≠ Not the Same! Scores on Open-Ended Reading Questions
3 points 2 points 1 point 0 points Performance Level Descriptors Advanced Proficient Basic Below Basic ≠ 1) Scores on open-ended questions contribute to a student’s raw score. 2) The student’s raw score is converted to a scale score. 3) The student’s scale score is interpreted as a Performance Level.

PSSA Reading Assessment Accommodations
Certain accommodations are available for students taking the PSSA Reading assessments. Test administrator may not read aloud any part of the reading passages or reading test questions and answer choices. Please refer to PDE’s accommodations guidelines documents for further information.

Student’s English Language Learner (ELL) statuses:
ELL and enrolled in a U.S. school after March 31, 2012 (previous enrollment in Puerto Rico is not considered as enrollment in U.S. schools) – Excused from PSSA Reading. ELL and enrolled in a U.S. school on or before March 31, 2012 – Must take all PSSA subjects. Exited an ESL/bilingual program and in the first year of monitoring – Must take all PSSA subjects. Exited an ESL/bilingual program and in the second year of monitoring – Must take all PSSA subjects. Former English Language Learner and no longer monitored.

ELLs and PSSA Reading When should a first-year ELL take the PSSA Reading test? Students who are expected to exit LEP (ESL) services, even in their first year in a U.S. school, should take the PSSA Reading test. This is because PSSA Reading test scores are used as part of the exit criteria for those services. Students who do not take the PSSA will not have the opportunity to register a PSSA score for program exit.

Kerry Helm Division of Assessment 717-783-6538

PSSA Writing Assessment 2013

Writing 2013 Grades 5, 8 Multiple-Choice Writing Prompts
Mode-specific Scoring Guidelines for composition Conventions scored separately

Writing 2013 Alignment - Standards (not the revised PACC)
- End of elementary and middle Holistic “hybrid” scoring - Holistic scoring for composition—more appropriate for large-scale assessments - Separate scoring for conventions leaves emphasis on composing - Multiple-choice adds validity & reliability

Who takes the test? All students in grades 5 and 8 Exceptions:
- ELL students in first 12 months - PASA students * Take an alternate writing test based on IEP goals * Scored test is stored in IEP folder

Grade 5 Multiple-Choice Section given first
- Five passages (three core, two field test) with embedded editing and revision errors - Four questions for each passage, 20 multiple choice questions total Writing prompts - Two common prompts - Any two of three modes

Grade 8 Multiple-Choice Section given first
- Five passages (three core, two field test) with embedded editing and revision errors - Four questions for each passage, total 20 questions Writing prompts - Two core prompts - One field test prompt - Informational and Persuasive modes only

How Are Responses Scored?
Each writing prompt will be scored using a 4 pt. conventions rubric and a 4 pt. writing rubric with a variable mode emphasis. Writing prompt responses scored by hand (with 10 percent read twice) - Focus, Content, Organization and Style * Scored holistically * 1-4 pt. Mode-specific Scoring Guide - Editing and Revising: * Scored separately * 1-4 pt. Conventions Scoring Guideline Bubbled multiple choice responses scored by machine * 1 pt. each

Common Score Points Multiple Choice Writing Prompts Totals 12 8 80 100
Conventions Mode 12 8 80 100 12 items each worth 1 point each (12 X 1) = 12 2 items each worth a maximum of 4 points each (2 X 4 = 8) (The raw score is multiplied by 10) (2 X 4) X 10 = 80 =100 Field test items are not reflected in this chart. No scores are reported for field test items.

Non-scorable Illegible Incoherent Insufficient Blank paper
Off-prompt: Still receives a Conventions score Off-mode: Loss of one point in Composition score

2013 Writing Test Format 1 30 2 60 3 4 Session Approx. Minutes
Number of Test Items Conventions Score Points Composition Score Points 1 30 20 Multiple Choice 12 (Common) 2 60 1 Writing Prompt 4 (if prompt is Common) N/A (if prompt is Field Test) 3 4

Writing Scaled Score Ranges by Grade and Performance level
Advanced 1909 and up 1748 NA Proficient 1236- 1908 1747 Basic 745- 1235 914- 1746 Below Basic 700- 744 913

Standalone Writing Field Test February 4-13, 2013

Who takes the test? All schools will receive the field test booklets for grades 3-5 Participation is strongly recommended All materials are secure and must be returned to DRC Exceptions: - ELL students in first 12 months - PASA students

Test Design Aligned with PACC Standards
Grade 3-5 will be operational 2014 Grades 6-8 will field test in 2014 Grades 3-8 will be operational 2015 All grades will be assessed on writing composition All grades eligible for three modes All multiple choice are stand-alone items Grade 3 has short answer responses

Test Design Grade 3 Grade 4-5 18 multiple choice (language skills)
Four short answer (application of language skills) One writing essay prompt (composition) Grade 4-5 24 multiple choice (language skills) One writing prompt (composition)

Sample Grade 3 Language Short Response (2 pts.)

Sample Grade 4 Language Multiple Choice (1 pt.)

Sample Grade 5 Writing Prompt (4 pts.)

Sample Grade 4 Text Dependent Analysis Essay (4 pts.)

Administration Paper and pencil only Time Grade 3: 60-75 minutes
Grades 4-5: minutes

How Are Responses Scored?
Multiple Choice 1 pt. each Machine scored Short answer (Grade 3) Hand-scored 2 pts. each Writing essay prompt Holistic scoring 4 pts. each

Scoring Guidelines New Scoring Guidelines have been drafted
Holistic scoring (no separate conventions scoring) Four points Writing essay prompt scoring focus: composition and language skills Text Dependent Analysis essay prompt scoring focus: text analysis of a passage; composition and language skills

Diane Simaska Division of Assessment 717-346-8064 dsimaska@pa.gov

Keystone Literature Exam

Keystone Exams will be used for two purposes:
Proposed state requirement that the class of 2017 and beyond demonstrate proficiency for the purpose of graduation Accountability as per No Child Left Behind (NCLB), i.e. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

Nonfiction Literature
The Literature Keystone Exam will assess students’ mastery of the Literature Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content and will be aligned to the Concepts and Competencies. Module 1 Module 2 Assessment Anchors Covered Fiction Literature Nonfiction Literature Number of Eligible Content Covered 25 31

Types of questions and number of questions covered in the Literature Keystone Exam operational form.
Module 1 Module 2 Total * Multiple Choice Questions Constructed Response Questions Number of Operational Questions 2 17 3 4 34 6 Number of Field Test Questions 1 12 Total 23 46 8 * Number of passages

Types of questions and number of points covered in the Literature Keystone Exam operational form.
Module 1 Module 2 Number of Operational Multiple Choice Questions 17 1 point each = 17 points 17 1 point each = 17 points Number of Operational Constructed- Response Questions 3 questions at 3 points each = 9 points Total Number of Points 26 points Percentage of Points for Entire Test 50% There will be a total of 52 points (Module 1 and Module 2 combined), with approximately 65 percent multiple-choice points and 35 percent constructed-response points.

Estimated time a typical student would need to complete Module 1 and Module 2 of the Literature Keystone Exam operational form. Operational Questions Field Test Questions Total Questions Number of Minutes 104 42 146

For more information See the Standards Aligned System website at Or See the PDE assessment webpages at

ACCESS FOR ELLs English Language Proficiency ASSESSMENT 2013

What is the ACCESS for ELLs?
ACCESS for ELLs is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment. PDE is a member of the WIDA Consortium, which maintains the test. The ACCESS for ELLs tests students’ Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills for social and academic purposes. More information on the WIDA and PA ELP standards and performance level descriptors can be found at the WIDA website,

ACCESS for ELLs Test Window
January 28-March 8, 2013

Who takes the ACCESS? Students designated as LEP (Limited English Proficiency), also referred to as ELLs (English Language Learners), must take the ACCESS for ELLs. Every ELL, grades K-12, participates in the ACCESS for ELLs testing.

ACCESS for ELLs Participants
All current ELLs, K-12 Not former ELLs (exited and in year one or year two of monitoring, or no longer in monitoring)

Student’s English Language Learner (ELL) status:
Current ELLs (PIMS field 41 is coded “01”) take ACCESS for ELLs. Date of first enrollment in a U.S. school does not affect participation. All current ELLs, K-12, take ACCESS for ELLs. Former ELL, exited an ESL/bilingual program, and in the first year of monitoring. – DO NOT take ACCESS for ELLs. Former ELL, exited an ESL/bilingual program, and in the second year of monitoring. – DO NOT take ACCESS for ELLs.

What about ELLs with IEPs or 504 Plans?
All ELLs, grades K-12, participate in the ACCESS. This includes ELLs with IEPs and/or 504 plans. ELLs with IEPs and/or 504 plans may receive appropriate accommodations (these do not include translation or interpretation of the test). Check the ACCESS for ELLs Test Administrator Manual or Special Instructions for PA (goldenrod sheet) for more information.

What about ELLs who qualify for the PASA?
All ELLs, grades K-12, must participate in the ACCESS for ELLs. This includes ELLs who qualify for the PASA. An Alternate ACCESS for eligible students with severe cognitive disabilities will be available for pilot testing this year. LEAs who wish to participate must administer the Alternate ACCESS in addition to the ACCESS for ELLs. For more information, contact Linda Long or Tami Shaffer at PDE, BTLS.

Who produces the ACCESS for ELLs?
Pennsylvania participates in the WIDA Consortium; the Consortium provides professional development and test administration training, and also manages test development. Distribution, scoring and score reporting are accomplished by a WIDA contractor, Metritech. More information is available at by ing or by calling toll free

Who oversees the ACCESS for ELLs in PA?
Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Teaching and Learning Support in cooperation with PDE’s Bureau of Assessment and Accountability oversee the ACCESS for ELLs in Pennsylvania. Visit the WIDA website for more information about ACCESS for ELLs and other services for English Language Learners:

PSSA Science Assessment 2013

PSSA Science 2013 All students in grades 4 and 8 Exception:
PASA students

PSSA Science 2013 Criterion Reference Four Reporting Categories
- The Nature of Science - Biological Sciences - Physical Sciences - Earth and Space Sciences Embedded Field Test Open-Ended items scored on a 0-2 Item-specific scoring guidelines

PSSA Science 2013 District and School Reporting
A. The Nature of Science 1. Reasoning and Analysis 2. Processes, Procedures, and Tools of Scientific Investigation 3. Systems, Models, and Patterns

PSSA Science 2013 District and School Reporting B. Biological Sciences
1. Structure and Function of Organisms 2. Continuity of Life 3. Ecological Behavior and Systems

PSSA Science 2013 District and School Reporting C. Physical Sciences
1. Structure, Properties and Interactions of Matter 2. Forms, Sources, Conversions, and Transfer of Energy 3. Principles of Force and Motion

PSSA Science 2013 District and School Reporting
D. Earth and Space Sciences 1. Earth Features and Processes that Change Earth and Its Resources 2. Weather, Climate, and Atmospheric Processes 3. Composition and Structure of the Universe

PSSA Science 2013 Science Test Composition 50% Nature of Science
(Inquiry) 50% Biological Science Physical Science Earth and Space Sciences (Content)

PSSA Science 2013 Test Blueprint

PSSA Science Performance Level Cut Scores

PSSA Science 2013 Student score comes from: Grades 4 and 8
- 58 Multiple Choice items - Five open-ended items (two points each)

PSSA Science 2013 Total number of items: Grade 4
- 68 Multiple Choice Items - Seven open-ended Items Grade 8 - 70 Multiple Choice Items

2013 PSSA Science Format Total Number of Multiple Choice Items per Student Total Number of Open-Ended Items per Student Total Number of points (Common Items Only) G R A D E Approx. Length Common Items Common Scenario Items Equating Block Items Field Test Items (2 points each) Field Test items Number of Score Points per Student 4 Minutes 2 Sections 58 2 8 5 1 58+10=68 Minutes 54 10

Biology Keystone

Biology Keystone The Biology Keystone Exam takes the place of the Grade 11 PSSA Science Assessment for Two purposes: - Proposed state requirement that the class of 2017 and beyond must demonstrate proficiency for the purpose of earning a PA high school diploma - Accountability as per No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) calculations

Biology Keystone The Biology Keystone Exam will measure the Biology Assessment Anchors as defined by the Eligible Content and will be aligned to the Concepts and Competencies Module 1 - Cells and Cell Processes Module 2 - Continuity and Unity of Life

Biology Keystone Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science

Biology Keystone

Division of Assessment
Craig Weller Division of Assessment (717)

National Assessment of Educational Progress

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
NAEP is a congressionally mandated project overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to continuously monitor the knowledge, skills, and performance of the nation’s children and youth. As the “Nation’s Report Card” it measures and reports on a regular basis what America’s students know and can do in core subjects like reading, mathematics, and science. NAEP uses a carefully designed sampling process to ensure that the schools and students selected are representative of all students across the United States.

NAEP 2013 In Pennsylvania, participation in NAEP is required of the 364 randomly selected schools. Testing window is January 28 to March 8, 2013 Grades tested are 4, 8 and 12. Main subjects of 2013 are Math, Reading and the Technology and Engineering Literacy Pilot (TEL) for grade 8 only. The TEL assessment will be operational in 2014.

NAEP 2013 *Results are only provided for the 13 participating states.
The NAEP 2013 Results Provided Grade Subject National Results State Results TUDA Results 4 Mathematics x Reading 8 TEL Pilot Results not available 12 * NAEP *Results are only provided for the 13 participating states.

NAEP 2013 Nationally, approximately 350,000 students will be assessed in fourth-grade, 360,000 in eighth-grade and 110,000 in twelfth-grade. Students will spend about 90 minutes completing the assessment, including answering questions in one subject area and answering questions about themselves and their educational experiences, such as the amount of reading they do and what types of classes they take.

NAEP 2013 A sample of grade 8 students will participate in a computer-based Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL) pilot assessment. The results will be used to develop the first operational TEL assessment for 2014. Nationally, approximately 15,000 students will be assessed in the pilot. Thirty students at each selected school will participate.

NAEP 2013 The TEL pilot will be administered in two sequential sessions of 15 students each. Students will spend about 120 minutes completing the assessment. The assessment will include problem-solving tasks based on interactive scenarios, as well as multiple choice and short answer questions.

Division of Assessment
Jack Hoerner NAEP Coordinator Division of Assessment

Classroom Diagnostic Tools
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has completed development of the Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDTs) to support teachers and students in grades 6 through 12 in Mathematics, Reading/Literature and Science. These tools - available at no cost to districts - are fully integrated and aligned to the Standards Aligned System (SAS) and enable educators to identify a student’s academic strengths and areas of need as well as links to classroom resources.

Monitoring In 2007 PDE began monitoring schools and districts regarding test security, administration, etc. This process will continue in All visits will be unannounced. PDE representatives are treated very well THANK YOU!

Coming in 2014 Grades 3 – 5 Reading and Writing transitioning to ELA
Grades 3 – 5 Math and ELA based on PACC Separate booklets for Math and ELA Stand-alone field test for Writing in grades 6 – 8 No change for grades 6 – 8 except for field test items based on PACC

Thank you!

Pennsylvania State Assessments 2012 - 2013.

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