The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is an annual assessment administered in commonwealth classrooms in grades 3 through 8, and in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Pennsylvania adopted more rigorous PA Core Standards in late 2013 and the 2015 PSSA marks the first time the assessment was fully-aligned to the standards. These new, more rigorous standards aim to better prepare students for the 21st century work force.
Assessment scores represent a snapshot in time of student performance, and should not be considered the sole indicator of student achievement. Standardized assessments, like the PSSA, help Pennsylvania meet federal and state requirements, as well as provide educators, stakeholders, and policymakers with important information about the commonwealth’s students and schools, and inform instructional practices. For more information visit the information found on PDE's website.
The PSSA tests are administered in reading, math, writing, and science during the spring in the following grades:
- Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in reading and math.
- Students in grades 5 and 8 are assessed in writing.
- Students in grades 4 and 8 are assessed in science.
*Click Here for the 2021-22 Assessment Calendar*
Helpful Resources for Students and Parents: