Assessment and Accountability

The Pennsylvania state assessment system is composed of assessments and the reporting associated with the results of those assessments. The assessment system includes the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA), the Pennsylvania Accountability System (PAS), the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS), the Keystone Exams (end-of-course), Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Learn more about these assessments and others below.

On February 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) issued new guidance regarding assessment administration for the 2020-2021 school year. This guidance will allow school entities to delay federally-required assessments until the fall—an option that prioritizes student and public health while safeguarding the comparability and utility of assessment results. Access PDE’s draft communication to USDE, which will allow for immediate implementation of this approach. Submit public comment to: RA-EDESEAWaiver@pa.gov

PDE submitted an official communication, which included public comment, to USDE on February 26, 2021. The communication informed USDE that PDE will allow LEAs to administer assessments later in the calendar year.