PSSA Exams

PSSA Testing Window

• ELA (Grades 3-8) - 4/22/24 - 4/26/24

• Math (Grades 3-8) - 4/29/24 - 5/10/24

• Science (Gr. 4 & 8) - 4/29/24 -5/10/24

• Algebra Keystone (Gr. 8 Algebra students only): 5/20/24 - 5/21/24 Tentatively

The Pennsylvania Department of Education continues to develop a series of assessments call the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, or PSSA.  These tests are aligned to the corresponding Standards and provide a measure of how well our students are accomplishing those benchmarks.

While Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science are currently the focus of PSSA testing, other state standards will ultimately be measured through the PSSA system as well.  All students are required to participate in this state testing program, including those students receiving special education services with Individualized Education Plans.  A very few students with severe cognitive disabilities are excluded from the PSSA and provided an alternative state-level test called the Pennsylvania Alternate State Assessment (PASA).  Certain PSSA testing accommodations are allowed and provided to students as determined by the child's teacher or outlined in the student's IEP.  These accommodations may include extra testing time or having the test read aloud.

A student's PSSA score is categorized into one of four possible performance levels:

1. Advanced - The Advanced Level reflects superior academic performance.  Advanced work indicates an in-depth understanding and exemplary display of the skills included in the PA Academic Content Standards.

2. Proficient - The Proficient Level reflects satisfactory academic performance.  Proficient work indicates a solid understanding and adequate display of the skills included in the PA Academic Content Standards.

3. Basic - The Basic Level reflects marginal academic performance.  Basic work indicates a partial understanding and limited display of the skills included in the PA Academic Content Standards.

4. Below Basic - The Below Basic Level reflects inadequate academic performance.  Below Basic work indicates little understanding and minimal display of the skills included in the PA Academic Content Standards.

Keystone Exams

Winter Keystones Testing Window

Winter Keystone testing is for any student who has not attained proficiency on any Keystone assessment after at least one attempt.

• Literature - 12/5/23

• Biology - 12/12/23

• Algebra I - 1/9/24

Spring Keystones Testing Window

Spring Keystone testing is for any student completing a Keystone course (Biology, Grade 10 Language Arts, Algebra I). Click here to read more from PDE.

The testing window is May 13-24, 2024.

• Literature - 5/13/24- 5/14/24

• Biology - 5/15/24 - 5/16/24

• Algebra I - 5/20/24 - 5/21/24

• Makeups - 5/22/24- 5/24/24

Jim Thorpe Area High School Keystone Testing Dates

• May 15, 2024: Literature (AM & PM)

• May 16, 2024: Algebra I (AM & PM)

• May 17, 2024: Biology (AM & PM)

LB Morris Elementary & Penn Kidder Campus Algebra I Keystone Testing Dates

• May 14, 2024 (AM)

• May 15, 2024 (AM)

  The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Beginning with the class of 2017, students must demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams to graduate. Students will be offered multiple opportunities to take the Keystones throughout their high school careers.

Beginning in 2012-2013 the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams has replaced the 11th grade Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests in mathematics, reading, and science for purposes of satisfying No Child Left Behind (NCLB)/Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements. Therefore, all students in grade 11 must participate in the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams. Additionally, students in any grade who are enrolled in a Keystone related course should participate.

The Keystone Exams will be administered three times each year—winter, spring, and summer.

Graduation Requirements & Keystone Exams: Adapted from the Statewide High School Graduation Requirement webpage, the five (5) pathways to meet the graduation requirement are as follows:

1. Scoring proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam - Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

2. Earning a satisfactory composite score of 4452 on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams. 

• This option may only be used as a pathway to graduation if

  • a student achieves Proficiency on at least one exam AND

  • scores no lower than Basic on the other two.

3. Earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, AND satisfactorily complete ONE of the following:

• an alternative assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB, Gold Level ACT WorkKeys),

• advanced coursework (AP, concurrent enrollment courses),

• pre-apprenticeship, or

• acceptance in a 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education for college-level coursework.

4. Earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, AND pass the

• National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or

• the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment in an approved Career and Technical Education concentration.

5. Earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, AND demonstrate readiness for postsecondary engagement through three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio aligned to student goals and career plan.

• Examples of evidence will include

  • ACT WorkKeys,

  • SAT Subject tests,

  • AP,

  • higher education acceptance,

  • community learning project,

  • completion of an internship, externship or co-op or

  • full-time employment.