Common Core Transition
The Pennsylvania Journey
English Language Arts
Mathematics
1
The Direction
 Eligible Content rewritten to embrace Common Core
Standards
 PA Academic Standards revised to reflect the content
and rigor of Common Core.
 PSSA aligned to revised Eligible Content
2
What Common Core Says
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis
of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from text. (Common Core: Gr. 7)
What We Have
ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
R7.A.1 Understand fiction
appropriate to grade level.
ELIGIBLE CONTENT
R7.A.1.3 Make inferences, draw
conclusions, and
make generalizations based on
text.
R7.A.1.3.1 Make inferences
and/or draw conclusions based
on information from the text.
R7.A.1.3.2 Cite evidence from
text
When It’s Revised
ASSESSMENT ANCHOR
R-07.A – L1.1 1Key Ideas and
Details
R07.A.1.1 Demonstrate
understanding of key ideas an
details in literature.
EC: Cite several pieces of
textual evidence to support
analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences,
conclusions, and/or
generalizations drawn from text.
Timeline
DATE
October 2011
January 2012
January 2012
PDE ACTIVITY
Revise Anchor/Eligible Content in Math and Reading in
grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 to align to Common Core Standards
Revise PA Academic Standards in Reading and Math to
create set of PA Common Core Standards
Begin development of Common Core aligned PSSA Reading
and Math tests
February 2012
Post PA Common Standards on SAS
February 2012
Develop PA Common Core train the trainer modules for IU
delivery to LEAs
February – May
2012
February 2012 ongoing
Offer CC training sessions to LEAs
Align SAS resources to PA Common Core Standards
Spring 2014
Implement Common Core aligned PSSA tests, grades 3-5
Spring 2015
Implement Common Core aligned PSSA tests, grades 6-8
Assessment Overview
Grade
Math
Reading
Writing
Science
3
X
X
4
X
X
5
X
X
6
X
X
7
X
X
8
X
X
X
X
Keystone
Exams
Algebra I
Literature
Composition
Biology
X
X
LEA Goals
 Continue with Common Core curriculum alignment
 Determine Keystone Exam schedule
 Plan for Keystone Project Based Assessment option
To assist…
 IU delivery of Common Core and Project Based
Assessment trainings
 SAS posting of PA Common Core Standards and
Anchor/Eligible Content
9
Keystone Exams
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
10
Keystone Exams
 Keystone Exam Status
 2011 – 2012
 2012 – 2013
 Assessed Content Areas
 Algebra I
 Biology
 Literature
 English Composition
 AYP Status and Keystone Exams
Keystone Exam Schedule
 Operational: 2012 – 2013
 Algebra I
 Biology
 Composition
 Literature
 Field Test: 2012 – 2013
 Civics and Government
12
Project Based Assessments
An Alternative Pathway to Proficiency
13
Project Based Assessments
 Informed by Chapter 4
 A new perspective on the TEST
Chapter 4
Students who do not score proficient or above on a
Keystone Exam after having taken the test at least twice
may choose to complete a project based assessment for
that module based upon the requirements as detailed
below.
Chapter 4
If a student is unable to meet the requirements in §
4.24(b)(1)(iv)(A) (relating to high school graduation
requirements) after two attempts on a Keystone Exam,
the student may supplement a Keystone Exam score
through satisfactory completion of a project-based
assessment. Points earned through satisfactory
performance on one or more project modules related to
the Keystone Exam module or modules on which the
student did not pass shall be added to the student’s
highest Keystone Exam score.
Project Based Assessment Overview
 Created by PA educators guided by Jay McTighe
 Scaffolded tasks building to the creation and submission
of a Project Based Assessment
 Five to seven hour time frame for completion
 Project work by student completed before, during, or
after school in supervised environment
 PSSA accommodations apply
Roles in the PBA
 Student
 Monitor
 Tutor
 School Site Administrator
 District Level Administrator
 Intermediate Unit
 Regional Review Panel
Review of Sample PBA
 Online Delivery
 Secure Site
 Accessible by Defined Roles
Field Testing
Purpose: Evaluate the online tool as well as the quality of
the projects

Scheduled for early 2012

Volunteer School Districts
27
I wonder…
28
Wrap Up
 Contact:
Common Core
Jean Dyszel
jmdyszel@verizon.net
 Contact:
Project Based Assessments
 Contact:
Keystone Exams
David Volkman
dvolkman@pa.gov
Rich Maraschiello
c-rmarasch@pa.gov