Assessments

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Starting on April 25th through May 11th, students in third through eighth grade will be administered the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests.  Students in third, fifth, sixth, and seventh grade will test in English Language Arts (reading/writing) and Math.  Students in fourth and eighth grade will test in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.

The purpose of the PSSA is to provide students, parents, and educators with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards. These standards indicate what a student should know and be able to do at varying grade levels.  Individual student scores can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities. Test results provide information to schools and to the district for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning. When the PSSA test results are received, parents will be provided copies of their child’s information which will show a comparison of performance to others, at the same grade level, across the state. 

All students in Pennsylvania in grades 3 through 8 are required to take the PSSA.  Exclusions are based solely on religious reasons and must be arranged at least two weeks prior to the testing date.  Please contact your child’s principal or guidance counselor if you need additional information.  

The PSSA dates for all buildings within the district are listed below:

In an era of cell phones, smartphones, and other electronic devices, test security during testing has become a major issue across the state of Pennsylvania.  The Pennsylvania Department of Education has made it clear to all school districts that the integrity of the test cannot be compromised in any way and has set a number of requirements to ensure adequate test security.  In short, students are not permitted to have cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, and other prohibited electronic devices during the test.  If students bring such devices to the test site, they will be collected at the door. 

In addition:

• The consequence for using and/or having a cell phone or other prohibited electronic device during the test administration will result in the application of a "Do Not Score" label on his/her test booklet or appropriate notification to not score on the online version, and the student will not receive a score.
• If the student uses a cell phone or electronic device in any manner during the administration of the test, the phone or electronic device will be confiscated until such time that the parent or guardian can come to the school, and in the presence of the parent or guardian, the cell phone or other electronic device will be viewed to ensure that no information or material regarding the assessment is present.
• Violation of the “no cell phone or other electronic device” rule will result in discipline, and that discipline will vary depending on whether test material has been compromised.

• Copying or duplicating the material from the assessment, including the taking of a photograph, is a violation of the federal Copyright Act.  Penalties for violations of the Copyright Act may include the cost of replacing the compromised item(s) or fines of no less than $750 up to $30,000 for a single violation.
• Any items on an assessment that have been compromised and can no longer be used will have to be replaced, and the parents and students may be responsible for the cost of replacement.

Please speak with your child and let him or her know that the possession and/or use of an electronic device during the test will result in consequences.   The Marion Center Area School District appreciates the cooperation of all students and their parents/guardians with respect to PDE’s requirements regarding electronic devices. 

Please encourage your child to perform to the best of his/her ability on the PSSA and Keystones so that together we can continue to meet the requirements set by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania related to student achievement and growth.  Also, please ensure that your child is rested and has had breakfast on the day of the test.  Breakfast is available in the cafeteria as usual for students who choose to eat here.  Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members working together as a team, will enable us to reach our goals!

Sincerely,

Amy Gaston

Director of Education