PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania State
Assessments
2013 - 2014
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Presentation Content
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New This Year
Important Dates
Standards/Anchors/Resource Materials
Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT)
PSSA Math, Reading, Writing, and Science
Keystone Exams
Accommodations
PASA Math, Reading and Science
ACCESS for ELLs
NAEP
Monitoring
Coming in 2015
Contact Information
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
• New This Year
– Questions on Accountability, contact:
• ra-pas@pa.gov
• ra-paprofile@pa.gov
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Concussions and participation
• if a student has been diagnosed with a concussive injury
and there is medical documentation within 2 weeks of
the start of the testing window that states the student
may not participate in standardized testing, the student
should be coded as “Recent Medical Emergency”. In all
other instances involving concussive injuries and
student nonparticipation, the student should be coded as
“Other”. Marking “Other” has a negative impact on
participation rate.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Calculator use
• Except for the Non-Calculator section of the PSSA
Mathematics assessment, as long as the Pennsylvania
Calculator Policy is followed, calculators may be used
for any part of the following assessments:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Remaining sections of the PSSA Mathematics assessment
(except for Grade 3)
Algebra I Keystone Exam
PSSA Science assessment
Biology Keystone Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Affirmation of Code of Conduct for Test Takers
• beginning with the 2013-2014 PSSA and the spring 2013-2014
Keystone Exams the following will be added to the answer book
for the student response—
• By marking this bubble, I verify that I understand the “Code of
Conduct for Test Takers” that my test administrator has
reviewed with me.
• For the online mode there will be a question at the end of the
test after the student clicks Complete, Yes or No: I understand
the “Code of Conduct for Test Takers” that my test
administrator has reviewed with me.
• Added in all “Directions for Administration”: it is
essential that all students understand the importance
of each point in the code of conduct before testing
begins.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Additions for test administration:
• Added to the “Handbook for Assessment Coordinators” in the
Procedures for Completing the Materials Accountability Form: in
the interest of test security it is of the utmost importance that the
District Assessment Coordinator, School Assessment Coordinator,
and persons responsible for handling test materials can account for
these materials at all times. Failure to account for and return (see
Part VIII—Return of Assessment Materials) test materials can
result in serious consequences as this may present a breach in test
security.
• References in the Keystone Exam’s “Handbook for Assessment
Coordinators” and all Keystone Exams’ “Directions for
Administration” indicate each module must be scheduled as a
separate exam session. Modules may be scheduled AM and PM of
the same day or on separate days.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Additions for test administration:
• Added to the Ethical Standards for Test Administration” in the DO
section of During Test Administration: during active monitoring
ensure that students are working in the correct section/module and
that they are bubbling in answers in the correct section of the
answer book for the section of the test book in which they are
working. Be cautious in redirecting or assisting students that you
are not violating test security by “coaching” (see DO NOT list
below).
• In the “Directions for Administration” for the 2013-2014 Keystone
Exams and forward in all DFAs students will be told when they
complete a section to make sure they have completely erased any
changed responses and stray marks. Currently, they are only given
the direction to erase when they are told five minutes is remaining
in the section.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Additions for test administration:
• In the “Directions for Administration” for the 20132014 Keystone Exams and forward in all DFAs, test
administrators will be directed to collect test booklets
and answer booklets when the students have completed
the section and not wait until all students have
completed the section.
• All test certifications have been revised. A new General
Certification has been developed to be used with
individuals who are not covered by the other
certifications. These individuals include secretarial
staff, custodial staff, etc.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Additions for test administration:
• Scoring guidelines will be included separately
with the secure test materials.
• PDE has the test contractor prepare a report for
each LEA on excessive logins by the same
student to an online assessment. Please keep a
record of system failures such as loss of internet
connection, etc., to answer any questions your
LEA may have.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Demographic pages
• School must complete the “Complete for All Students” on page 1
of the demographic pages for the Keystone Exams and the same
information regarding enrolled in Keystone course in eDirect for
the online mode. The Not Enrolled bubble should be used for
students who are taking the Keystone Exams strictly for
accountability, and for students retaking a Keystone Exam unless
the students are enrolled in the course again. If a school has more
than one course that might be used as a Keystone Exam, e.g.,
Algebra A and Algebra B, the district/school must decide which
course is to be designated as the Keystone Exam course. It is
important one of these bubbles is marked for each student
because the information is used for PVAAS calculations.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
New This Year
• Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS) aligned
content in embedded field test items.
• Standalone writing field test, grades 6-8.
• Video Sign Language (VSL) version
• Updated and revised Pennsylvania State Test
Administration Training (PSTAT).
-
One-to-one online interactive training for Test
Administrators
Self-check quiz at end
Certificate of Completion
www.pssatraining.com
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Important Dates
Keystone Exams Testing Window
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Winter:
Wave 1: December 2-13, 2013
Wave 2: January 8-22, 2014
Spring:
May 12-23, 2014
Summer:
July 28-August 1, 2014
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Important Dates
• PSSA Writing Field Test, February 3-14, grades 6-8.
• PSSA Math/Reading, March 17-28, grades 3-8.
• Make-up for Math/Reading, March 31-April 4, grades
3-8.
• PSSA Writing, March 31-April 4, grades 5 & 8.
• Make-up for Writing, April 7-11, grades 5 & 8.
• PSSA Science, April 28-May 2, grades 4 & 8.
• Make-up for Science, May 5-9, grades 4 & 8.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Important Dates
• ACCESS for ELLs, January 27 - March 7, grades K12.
• NAEP, January 27-March 7, grades 4, 8, & 12.
• PASA Reading/Math, February 17 – March 28,
grades 3-8 & 11.
• PASA Science, February 17 – May 19, grades 4 & 8.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
PA Standards
• PA Academic Content Standards and
Assessment Anchors are available on the PDE
website.
• PA Core Standards (draft) and Assessment
Anchors are available on the PDE and SAS
websites.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
The Taxonomy of Assessment
Anchor Content Standards
1.
2.
3.
4.
Content Area
Grade Level
Reporting Category
Assessment Anchor Content Standards
(Assessment Anchors)
5. Assessment Anchor Descriptor
6. Eligible Content
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Assessment Anchor Coding
S4.A.1.1.1
Science
Grade
Level
Reporting
Category
Eligible
Content
Assessment
Anchor
Assessment Descriptor
Anchor
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
2014 “Getting Ready” Power Point
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.
CDT grades 3-5 is currently being field tested and
will be available operationally in Spring 2014.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania System of
School Assessment (PSSA)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA
Math
Assessment
2014
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Math 2014


Criterion Referenced
Five Reporting Categories
o - Numbers and Operations
o - Measurement
o - Geometry
o - Algebra
o - Data Analysis
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014



Student score comes from:
o - 60 multiple choice questions
o - Three open-ended questions
Students take:
o - 72 multiple choice in grades 3 - 8
o - Four open-ended questions
All grades will alternate subject areas with Math coming first.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014
2014 PSSA Math Test Format
Number of Multiple
Choice Items per
Student
(1 point each)
Number of OpenEnded Items per
Student
(4 points each)
Grade
Estimated
Time of
Test
Common
Multiple
Choice
Items
Equating
Block
Items
Field
Test
Items
Common
OpenEnded
Items
Equating
Block
Items
Field
Test
Items
3-8
180
minutes
3 sessions
60
2
10
3
0
1
Scores come from the COMMON ONLY.
Total
Number
of Score
Points
60+12=
72
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014




Embedded Field Test based on PCS
Open-Ended items scored on a 0-4 scale
Item-specific scoring guidelines but no general
rubric
Formula sheets will be provided for grades 4
through 8.
o
See Resource Materials on our web site for the
formula sheets and item samplers
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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 PCS may cross Eligible Content and Anchors and
Reporting Categories.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.]
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Math 2014
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
½ point for correct but incomplete work.
- 1 point for correct and complete explanation.
½ point for correct but incomplete explanation.
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014
Rubric Metric:
Total Points (within)
4
3–3½
2–2½
½-1½
0
Score (on)
4
3
2
1
0
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014




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.
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014

Testing time is approximately 150-180
minutes for Math.

Testing in Grades 3 - 8.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014



Rulers and protractors will be provided where needed
(grades 3 and 4 respectively). Students must use the
rulers and protractors provided for the PSSA.
Rulers will be used in grade 3 only and will be scaled
to the ⅛ inch and millimeter. Students will be
required to measure to the ¼ inch and centimeter.
Protractors will be used at grade 4 only.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014

The following are NOT allowed for the
PSSA or Keystones:

Non-calculators such as cell phones, smart phones, laptops,
PDAs, pocket organizers, tablets, 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).



PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014

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
Guidelines.)
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.



PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014



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 Pennsylvania Calculator Policy is available on our
website.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math 2014
Grade 3:


CANNOT use calculators
Answers marked in test booklet
Grade 4 and up:

Calculators ARE permitted on all but the beginning few
items.*
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math Test Blueprint
(May vary according to the items available.)
Reporting
Category
Grade
3
Grade
4
Grade
5
Grade
6
Grade
7
Grade
8
Grade
11
Numbers and
Operations
40-50%
43-47%
41-45%
28-32%
20-24%
18-22%
NA
Measurement
12-15%
12-15%
12-15%
12-15%
12-15%
12-15%
NA
Geometry
12-15%
12-15%
12-15%
15-21%
15-21%
15-20%
NA
Algebraic
Concepts
12-15%
12-15%
13-17%
15-20%
20-27%
25-30%
NA
Data Analysis
and
Probability
13-16%
12-15%
12-15%
15-20%
15-20%
15-20%
NA
Total Points
72
Points
72
Points
72
Points
72
Points
72
Points
72
Points
NA
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Math Performance Level Cut
Scores
Performance
Level
Grade
3
Grade
4
Grade
5
Grade
6
Grade
7
Grade
8
Advanced
1370
and up
1445
and up
1483
and up
1476
and up
1472
and up
1446
and up
Proficient
11801369
12461444
13121482
12981475
12981471
12841445
Basic
10441179
11561245
11581311
11741297
11831297
11711283
Below Basic
7501043
7001155
7001157
7001173
7001182
7001170
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA
READING
ASSESSMENT
2014
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 3







Three sessions
Sections 2, 4, & 6 (alternates w/Math)
Approximately 40-70 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 (40 common items)
5 open-ended items: 3 short answer (2 common) and 2 evidence –based
selected-responses (EBSR).
Students write ALL answers in test booklet
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 3 Test Format
Number of Other Items
Number of Multiple-Choice Items
Approximate
length
Short Answer, (3 points each),
EBSR, (2-3 points each)
(1 point each)
Field
Equating
Block
Common
Equating
Block
Common
Test
Field
Test
40 - 70 minutes
each section
40
Total 150 – 180
minutes
8
8
2
Student score (Common Only): 46 points
Total points on each test: 68*
* Field test items do not count for student score
0
3
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grades 4-8







Three sessions
Sections 2, 4, & 6 (alternates w/Math)
Approximately 45-85 minutes each
Target Passage Types (mix varies by grade)
- Story
- Poem
- Informational
- Autobiography/Biography
- Practical/How-to/Advertisement
- Essay/Editorial (grades 5-8)
56 Multiple-choice items (40 common items)
7 Open-ended items: 4 short answer (all common items), 2 evidence-based
selected responses, and 1 text dependent analysis.
Students write answers in answer booklet
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grades 4–8 Test Format
Number of Other Items
Number of Multiple-Choice Items
Approximate
length
(1 point each)
Field
Equating
Block
Common
Short Answer, (3 points each); EBSR,
(2-3 points each); Text Dependent
Analysis
Equating
Block
Common
Test
Field
Test
45 - 85 minutes
each section
40
Total 185 – 225
minutes
8
8
4
Student score (Common Only): 52 points
Total points on each test: 75*
* Field test items do not count for student score
0
3
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Reading Reporting Clusters
Grade
Comprehension
and Reading Skills
(Category A)
Literature and
Interpretation
(Category B)
3
60-80%
20-40%
4
60-80%
20-40%
5
60-80%
20-40%
6
50-70%
30-50%
7
50-70%
30-50%
8
40-60%
40-60%
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Genre Coverage
Grade
Fiction
(and Nonfiction)
Narrative
Nonfiction
3
50-70%
30-50%
4
50-70%
30-50%
5
50-70%
30-50%
6
40-60%
40-60%
7
40-60%
40-60%
8
40-60%
40-60%
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Reading Scale Score Ranges
by Performance Level and Grade
Level
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
Advanced
1442
and up
1469
and up
1497
and up
1456
and up
1470
and up
1473
and up
Proficient
12351441
12551468
12751496
12781455
12791469
12801472
Basic
11681234
11121254
11371274
11211277
11311278
11461279
Below Basic
10001167
7001111
7001136
7001120
7001130
7001145
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Not the Same!

Performance Level
Descriptors
– Advanced
– Proficient
– Basic
– Below Basic

≠
Scores on Open-Ended
Reading Questions
– 3 points
– 2 points
– 1 point
– 0 points
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Grade 4 Multiple Choice Question (1 point)
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 4 Online Multiple Choice Question (1 point)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Grade 4 Open-Ended Question (3 points)
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 4 Online Open-Ended Question (3 points)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Grade 7 Selected Response (3 points)
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 7 Online Selected Response (3 points)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 7 Online Selected Response (3 points)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Grade 4 Selected Response (3 points)
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 4 Online Selected Response (3 points)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Grade 4 Online Selected Response (3 points)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
English Language Learners
(ELLs)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Student’s English Language
Learner (ELL) statuses:





ELL and enrolled in a U.S. school after May 3, 2013 (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 May 3, 2013 – 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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
ELLs and PSSA Reading
• 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.
• Accommodations for ELLs are in the 2013-2014 Assessment
Handbook for ELLs posted on the PDE website.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA
Writing
Assessment
2014
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Writing 2014







Alignment: PA Academic Standards 1.4 & 1.5 (not the PCS)
All Students in Grades 5, 8
Exceptions: ELL students in first 12 months and PASA
students ( PASA students take a teacher created and scored
alternate writing test based on IEP goals, stored in the IEP
folder)
Multiple-Choice: measure conventions
Writing Prompts: measure composition skills and conventions
Mode-specific Scoring Guidelines for composition
Conventions scored separately
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
2014 Writing Test Format
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
2014 Writing Test Format
 Online:
 3 sections (may administer sections 1 & 2 in same session)
 Responses selected and typed on computer
 Scratch paper and pencil for pre-writing should be provided
 3,000 characters space for each grade 5 prompt
 5,000 characters space for each grade 8 prompt
 Online test tutorial has same number of characters available
 Paper Pencil:
 3 sections (may administer sections 1 & 2 in same session)
 Responses marked/written in test booklet
 Scratch paper for pre-writing should be provided
 2 lined pages for each prompt response
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
How Are Responses Scored?

Writing prompt responses scored by hand (with 10 percent
read twice)

Focus, Content, Organization and Style


Editing and Revising






Scored holistically using the 1-4 pts. Mode-specific Scoring Guidelines
Scored separately using the 1-4 pts. Conventions Scoring Guidelines
Non-scorable: Illegible; incoherent; insufficient; blank paper
Off-prompt: Still receives a Conventions score
Off-mode: Loss of one point in Composition score
Bubbled multiple choice responses
Machine scored; 1 pt. each
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Writing Score Points
Writing Prompts
Multiple
Choice
12
12 items each
worth 1 point each
(12 X 1) = 12
Totals
Conventions
Mode
8
80
2 items each worth a
maximum of 4 points
each
(2 X 4 = 8)
2 items each worth a
maximum of 4 points
each
(The raw score is
multiplied by 10)
(2 X 4) X 10 = 80
100
12+8+80=100
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Writing Scaled Score Ranges by Grade and
Performance level
Performance
level
Grade 5
Grade 8
Advanced
1909
and up
1748
and up
Proficient
12361908
12361747
Basic
7451235
9141746
Below Basic
700744
700913
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Standalone Writing Field Test
Grades 6 - 8
February 3 - 14, 2014
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Who Takes the Field Test?




All schools will receive the field test booklets
for grades 6-8 (no online available)
Participation is strongly recommended
All materials are secure and must be returned
to DRC
Exceptions:
- ELL students in first 12 months
- PASA students
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Field Test Design



Paper and pencil only
Time: Approximately 54-69 minutes
One section
- 24 Multiple Choice
- language skills
- 1 Writing Prompt
- Composition
- Any three modes (narrative, informative, argumentative)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Field Test Writing Scoring
Guidelines




New Writing Scoring Guidelines have been drafted
Hand-scored
Holistic scoring (conventions included in score)
1- 4 pts.
Pennsylvania State Assessments 2013-2014
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Sample Grade 8 Language Multiple Choice (1 pt.)
Pennsylvania State Assessments 2013-2014
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Acting Secretary of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Sample Grade 7 Writing Prompt (4 pts.)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Sample Grade 7 Text Dependent Analysis Essay (4 pts.)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
How Are TDA Responses Scored?




New TDA Scoring Guidelines have been drafted
Hand-scored
Holistic scoring (includes text analysis and
compositional scoring)
4 pts.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Coming in 2015




Writing will be a part of the ELA test
Grades 3-8
o All grades will be assessed on writing composition
o All grades eligible for three modes
o All language items are standalone multiple choice
Text Dependent Analysis will be a part of the ELA test
Grades 4-8
o TDA prompt will be associated with a reading passage
o TDA essay response will be scored on text analysis and on
writing compositional skills
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA
Science
Assessment
2014
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014

All students in grades 4 and 8

Exception:
o
PASA students
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014





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
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014
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
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014
District and School Reporting
B. Biological Sciences
1. Structure and Function of Organisms
2. Continuity of Life
3. Ecological Behavior and Systems
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
PSSA Science 2014
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014
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
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014
Science Test Composition
50% Nature of Science
(Inquiry)
50% Biological Science
Physical Science
Earth and Space Sciences
(Content)
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
PSSA Science 2014 Test Blueprint
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
PSSA Science
Performance Level Cut Scores
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014
Student score comes from:

Grades 4 and 8
- 58 Multiple Choice items
- Five open-ended items (two points each)
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
PSSA Science 2014
Total number of items:


Grade 4
- 68 Multiple Choice Items
- Seven open-ended Items
Grade 8
- 70 Multiple Choice Items
- Seven open-ended Items
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
2014 PSSA Science Format
Total Number of Multiple Choice
Items per Student
G
R
A
D
E
Approx.
Length
Total Number of OpenEnded Items per Student
Total Number of
points
(Common Items
Only)
Common
Items
Common
Scenario
Items
Equating
Block
Items
Field
Test
Items
Common
Items
(2 points
each)
Equating
Block
Items
Field
Test
items
Number of Score
Points per Student
4
110-115
Minutes
2
Sections
58
0
2
8
5
1
1
58+10=68
8
120-125
Minutes
2
Sections
54
4
2
10
5
1
1
58+10=68
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Keystone Exams
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
Project-Based Assessment – contact respective
IU curriculum office or email the SAS
helpdesk at helpdesk@pdesas.org
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystones and Regulations

Students must take the Keystone Exams to
meet class of 2017 graduation requirements
under Chapter 4 Regulations.

Students must take the Keystone Exams to
meet federal accountability requirements.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Algebra I Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Algebra I – What It
Measures
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Algebra I – Test Format
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Algebra I – Point
Distribution
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Algebra I – Estimated
Time
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Literature
Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor

▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Exams will be used for three purposes:
- Federal Accountability as per ESEA Flexibility
Waiver requirements
- Chapter 4 requirement that the class of 2017 and beyond
must demonstrate proficiency for the purpose of earning a PA
high school diploma
- State Accountability as per new School
Performance Profile (SPP) requirements
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.
Assessment Anchors Covered
Number of Eligible Content Covered
Module 1
Module 2
Fiction Literature
Nonfiction Literature
25
31
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
▪
Tom Corbett, Governor
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Types of questions and number of questions
covered in the Literature Keystone Exam
operational form.
Module 1
Multiple
* Choice
Questions
Module 2
Constructed
Response
Questions
*
Multiple
Choice
Questions
Total
Constructed
Response
Questions
*
Multiple
Choice
Questions
Constructed
Response
Questions
Number of
Operational
Questions
2
17
3
2
17
3
4
34
6
Number of
Field Test
Questions
1
6
1
1
6
1
2
12
2
Total
3
23
4
3
23
4
6
46
8
* Number of passages
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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 questions @ 1 point each = 17
points
17 questions @ 1 point each = 17
points
Number of Operational ConstructedResponse Questions
3 questions at 3 points each = 9 points
3 questions at 3 points each = 9 points
Total Number of Points
26 points
26 points
Percentage of Points for Entire Test
50%
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 constructedresponse points.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Estimated time a typical student would need to
complete Module 1 and Module 2 of the
Literature Keystone Exam operational form.
Operational
Questions
Number of Minutes
104
Field Test
Questions
42
Total Questions
146
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
Three purposes:
- Federal Accountability as per ESEA Flexibility
Waiver requirements
- Proposed state requirement that the class of
2017 and beyond must demonstrate proficiency
for the purpose of earning a PA high school
diploma
- State Accountability as per new School
Performance Profile (SPP) requirements
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
Eligible Content may be assessed using knowledge
and/or skills associated with the Nature of Science
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Keystone Biology Exam
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Accommodations
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Accommodations for State Assessments



Training and guidelines posted on PDE website.
o Accommodations Training for PSSA and Keystone
Exams.
o 2014 Keystone & PSSA Accommodations
Guidelines
o 2014 English Language Learners Guidelines
o 2014 Read-Aloud Guidelines
Video Sign Language (VSL) version new this year
PASA Accommodations - www.pasaassessment.org
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Alternate System of
Assessment (PASA)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Alternate System of
Assessment (PASA)




Math & Reading: Feb 17 – Mar 28, 2014
Science: February 17 – May 9, 2014
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
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
PASA Participation Guidelines



Student must meet all 6 eligibility criteria
Guidelines are posted on PASA website and
on PDE Special Education website
See PDE Bureau of Special Education
assessment page for more information.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
PASA Contact Information

Who manages the test?
o
o
o
o
PASA Project at the University of Pittsburgh
http://www.pasaassessment.org/
(412) 648-7363
All test materials are shipped from and returned to
PASA Project
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
ACCESS FOR ELLs
English Language
Proficiency
ASSESSMENT
2014
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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, http://www.wida.us/standards/elp.aspx.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
ACCESS for ELLs Test Window
January 27-March 7, 2014
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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 should receive
appropriate accommodations. Accommodations must
be documented in the IEP and must not invalidate the
testing construct.

Check the ACCESS for ELLs Test Administration
Manual, the Special Instructions for PA (goldenrod)
sheet, and/or the ACCESS for ELLs Guidelines for
Accommodating English Language Learners with
Disabilities for more information
(http://www.wida.us/assessment/ACCESS/)
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
What about ELLs who qualify for the PASA?

All students identified as ELLs (grades K-12) must be
assessed annually for English language proficiency,
including ELLs who qualify for the PASA. (NCLB; 2001)

Students with disabilities must participate in state-wide
and district-wide assessment programs, including
alternate assessments with appropriate
accommodations. (IDEA; 2004)

In order to meet federal and state accountability
requirements and to provide educators with a measure
sensitive to English language proficiency growth of
ELLs with significant cognitive disabilities, an Alternate
ACCESS for ELLs is available for students with severe
cognitive disabilities who are eligible
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
What is the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs?
•
Assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for
students in grades 1-12 who are classified as English
Language Learners (ELLs) and have significant
cognitive disabilities that prevent their meaningful
participation in the ACCESS for ELLs® assessment.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Who should take the Alternate ACCESS for
ELLs?
•
The decision about participation in the standard statewide
assessment (ACCESS for ELLs) or the alternate statewide
assessment (Alternate ACCESS for ELLs) is made by the student’s
Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Only students who
meet all three criteria below can participate in the Alternate
ACCESS for ELLs:
1. the student is classified as an English language learner.
2. The student has significant cognitive disabilities.
3. The student is in an alternate curriculum aligned with
Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards and will participate in the
Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Who can administer the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs?
Test administrators must meet the following test administrator eligibility
criteria:
• Test administrators must be certified teachers.
• Certified teachers must have knowledge of the World-Class
Instructional Design and Assessment levels of English language
proficiency and Pennsylvania English Language Proficiency
Standards (PA ELPS) and must have experience teaching English
language learners.
• Certified teachers must be familiar with the student’s
communication style.
• Special education and/or ESL teachers are strongly recommended
as test administrators of the Alternate ACCESS.
• A reading specialist or any certified teacher who meets these
criteria is eligible to administer the assessment.
• Paraprofessionals and personal care assistants are not eligible to
administer the Alternate ACCESS.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
How can I learn more about the ACCESS for
ELLs and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs?
•
Check the ESL Portal to register for upcoming webinar
trainings addressing administration of the ACCESS for
ELLs, the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs, and the test
ordering process:
http://www.eslportalpa.info/index.cfm?pageid=2703
•
Contact Linda Long (lilong@pa.gov) or Tami Shaffer
(tshaffer@pa.gov) in the Bureau of Teaching and
Learning .
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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 www.wida.us, by emailing
help@wida.us, or by calling toll free 1-866-276-7735.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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. Contact Linda Long
(lilong@pa.gov) or Tami Shaffer (tshaffer@pa.gov) in the
Bureau of Teaching and Learning .

Visit the WIDA website for more information about
ACCESS for ELLs and other services for English
Language Learners: www.wida.us
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
National Assessment of Educational
Progress
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
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.
http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
NAEP in Pennsylvania 2014




44 schools have been selected and are required to
participate this school year.
Testing window is January 27 to March 7, 2014
Grades tested are 4, 8 and 12.
NAEP 2014 will assess students in Social StudiesGrade 8 (U.S. History, Geography and Civics),
Technology and Engineering Literacy-Grade 8 and
the Science Pilot-Grades 4, 8 and 12.
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
The NAEP 2013 Results Provided
Grade
Subject
National Results
State Results
TUDA
Results
4
Mathematics
x
x
x
Reading
x
x
x
Mathematics
x
x
x
Reading
x
x
x
TEL Pilot
Results not
available
Results not
available
Mathematics
x
Reading
x
*
*
8
12
Note: Results are expected to be released
following resolution of the federal shutdown.
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
NAEP 2014-Social Studies


Nationally, approximately 26,000 students in eighth
grade will be assessed in U.S History, Geography and
Civics.
Students will spend about 90 minutes completing the
assessment, including transition time and directions.
They will be asked to complete a questionnaire that
aims to get a better understanding of their educational
experiences, such as the amount of reading they do
and the types of classes they take.
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
NAEP 2014-Technology and Engineering
Literacy



Nationally, approximately 20,000 eighth-grade students
will participate in the TEL assessment.
Thirty students in each selected school will be assessed.
The assessment will be administered in two sequential
sessions of approximately 15 students each.
Students will spend about 120 minutes completing the
assessment, including transition time and directions. This
assessment contains problem-solving tasks based on
interactive scenarios reflecting realistic situations, and
multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
PSSA Administrator Training
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
NAEP 2014-Science Pilot



Nationally, approximately 4,000 students in grades 4,
8, and 12 will be assessed within the Science Pilot.
Students will spend between 90 and 120 minutes
completing the items, including transition time and
directions.
The Science Pilot will consist only the paper and
pencil version only. The Hands On Task (HOT) and
Science Interactive Computer Tasks (ICT)
components of the pilot have been postponed.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
Monitoring
www.education.state.pa.us
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Monitoring

In 2007 PDE began monitoring schools and districts regarding
PSSA test security, administration, etc. This process will
continue in 2013-14.

All visits will be unannounced.

Letters detailing monitoring visit results will be mailed to
district/school administration as soon as possible following
each visit.
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Coming in 2015



Grades 3 – 8 Reading and Writing
transitioning to ELA
Grades 3 – 8 Math and ELA based on PCS
Separate booklets for Math and ELA
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Contact Information
• Assessment Division Chief, Ray Young. 717-783-6633;
rayyoung@pa.gov
• Kerry Helm, PSSA Reading, ELLs, Keystone Lit., PSTAT
Training, Test Security. 717-783-6538; khelm@pa.gov
• Drew Schuckman, NAEP Coordinator. 717-787-4865;
dschuckman@pa.gov
• Diane Simaska, PSSA Writing, Accommodations, Keystone
Lit.717-346-8064; dsimaska@pa.gov
• Charlie Wayne, PSSA Math, Keystone Algebra I, Test
Security. 717-783-0358; cwayne@pa.gov
• Craig Weller, PSSA Science, Keystone Biology, Keystone &
PSSA Monitoring. 717-525-5825; crweller@pa.gov
PennsylvaniaState
StateAssessments
Assessments2013-2014
2013
Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
▪
Ronald
Dr.
Carolyn
J. Tomalis,
Dumaresq,
Secretary
ActingofSecretary
Education
of Education
www.education.state.pa.us
Questions