1. PA Assessment Update

2. Quick Overview 2015 PSSA Changes Keystone Exams: no change
PSSA Science: no change
PSSA Reading: now combined with Writing as PSSA ELA with separate booklet and testing window
PSSA Writing: now combined with Reading as PSSA ELA with separate booklet and testing window
PSSA Math: now PSSA Math with separate booklet and testing window

3. 2015 PSSA Changes
PSSA Math Assessment 2015

4. Reporting Categories 2015 PSSA Changes
A = Numbers and Operations
— A‐T = Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (Grades 3–5)
— A‐F = Numbers and Operations – Fractions (Grades 3–5)
— A‐N = The Number System (Grades 6–8)
— A‐R = Ratios and Proportional Relationships (Grades 6, 7)
B = Algebraic Concepts
— B‐O = Operations and Algebraic Thinking (Grades 3–5)
— B‐E = Expressions and Equations (Grades 6–8)
— B‐F = Functions (Grade 8)
C = Geometry
— C‐G = Geometry (Grades 3–8)
D = Data Analysis and Probability
— D‐M = Measurement and Data (Grades 3–5)
— D‐S = Statistics and Probability (Grades 6–8)

5. 2015 PSSA Changes
Item Types and Points
All grades:

6. 2015 PSSA Changes

7. 2015 PSSA Changes
Math 2015

8. 2015 PSSA Changes
Math 2015

9. 2015 PSSA Changes

10. English Language Arts Test
2015 PSSA Changes
English Language Arts Test

11. ELA Reporting Framework
2015 PSSA Changes
ELA Reporting Framework
ELA Reporting Framework, Clusters, and Categories
Reporting Category Code
Reading
Genre
Literature Text A
Informational Text B
Core Competencies
Key Ideas and Details [Key Ideas]
A–K/B–K
Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas [CSI]
A–C/B–C
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use [Vocabulary]
A–V/B–V
Writing C
Language D
Text Dependent Analysis E

12. Item Types and Points 2015 PSSA Changes Grade 3
20 core passage MC items
20 points
18 core standalone MC items
2 core 2 pt EBSR items
18 points
4 points
2 core 3 pt EBSR items
6 points
2 core 3 pt SA items
1 core 4 pt WP (weighted x2)
8 points
Total
62 points
Grades 4-8
23 core passage MC items
23 points
18 core standalone MC items
18 points
3 core 2 pt EBSR items
6 points
3 core 3 pt EBSR items
9 points
1 core 4 pt TDA (weighted x4)
16 points
1 core 4 pt WP (weighted x3)
12 points
Total
84 points

13. Grade 3 Format 2015 PSSA Changes Section Content Emphasis
Number of MC/EBSR
Number of
WP/SA
Estimated Number of Passages
Estimated Section Testing Time (in minutes) 1
Writing and Language
20 MC 60 2
Reading
8–12 MC
1–3 EBSR
34–50 3
14 MC
2 EBSR 48 4

14. Grades 4-8 Format 2015 PSSA Changes Section Content Emphasis
Number of MC/EBSR
Number of WP/TDA
Estimated Number of Passages
Estimated Section Testing Time (in minutes) 1
Writing and Language
20 MC 60 2
Reading
15–18 MC
4–5 EBSR 3
58–69
Reading and
Text Dependent Analysis
14 MC
2 EBSR 73 4
5–8 MC
1–2 EBSR
48–57

15. Grade 4 Evidence Based Selected Response (3 pts.)

16. Grade 8 Language Multiple Choice (1 pt.)

17. Sample Grade 7 Writing Prompt (4 pts.)

18. Sample Grade 7 Text Dependent Analysis Essay (4 pts.)

19. How Are TDA Responses Scored?
2015 PSSA Changes
How Are TDA Responses Scored?

20. Important Documents
PSSAs
PDE Resources
Keystone Exams
SAS Portal
PBAs