Assessments and Standardized Testing

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA)

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) will begin after spring break for CCS students in Grades 3-8. The exam schedule is outlined below:

English/Language Arts
Grades 3rd-8th with a window of April 24th-28th

Math
Grades 3rd-8th with a window of May 1st-5th

Science
May 1st-5th window only for 4th and 8th grade

*Makeup exams will occur throughout the testing window specified for the subject

To ensure that your children are feeling prepared on testing days, please make sure they are well-rested, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time. As a reminder, for this year all students are provided breakfast and lunch at no cost. Please also review the important parent/guardian resources found in the “Resources” box on the right of the screen.

The documents are available in English and Spanish. They are:

• PSSA: Parent FAQ | Preguntas Frecuentes de los Padres
• PSSA: Cell Phone Policy | Póliza de los Teléfonos
• PSSA: Calculator Policy | Póliza de la Calculadora
• PSSA: Code of Conduct | Código de Conducta

Families with children in grade 3rd and 8th can email Mrs. Jenni Burton (jburton@ccs.us) with PSSA questions or support.

PSSA Testing Opt-Out Information

Excusal from the PSSA Process

Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. code 4.4) provides for the right of any parent/guardian to excuse his/her child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, he/she finds the assessment to be in conflict with his/her religious beliefs. This is the only basis for a parent/guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments.

Procedure for parent/guardian to request that student be excused from the PSSA/Keystone Exam(s):

1. The parent/guardian needs to initiate contact with the school with a request for his/her student to be excused from the assessment(s).
2. The Collegium curriculum department will contact you to schedule an appointment to meet two weeks prior to the assessment(s), where the parent/guardian to come in and view the exam(s). The parent/guardian must sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education prior to viewing the exam. No written notes, video, or pictures can be taken of the material. The objection process is not complete until the parents view the exam(s) in the school. If the parent/guardian wants the student to be excused from several exams (i.e. ELA and Math), then the parent/guardian will need to view all of these exams.
3. The parent/guardian submits a written request to the school principal, stating a request to have his/her child opt out of the assessment due to a religious objection. The letter must list the specific name(s) of each assessment about which there is an objection. This letter will be shared with the Curriculum Department.
4. A parent/guardian will need to make this request each year he/she wishes the student to be excused and he/she will need to view the exam(s) each year as well.
5. The school will confirm with the parent/guardian that the child will be excused in writing.

Keystone Spring Assessments

Students who were enrolled in Keystone trigger courses (Algebra 1, Biology, and American Literature) in Spring 2021, but were unable to complete the Keystone exam due to health and safety reasons, will be scheduled to take the Keystone Exam during the Winter Wave.

Additionally, students who have previously completed Keystone exams, but haven’t yet achieved proficiency will be provided an opportunity to retake their exam during the Winter Wave.

The Pennsylvania State Keystone Exams (Winter Keystones) are scheduled for December 1-15 of 2021.

Students who are actively enrolled in Keystone trigger courses for the 2021-2022 schooly year will be registered to take the Spring Keystone exam.

The Pennsylvania State Keystone Exams (Spring Keystones) are scheduled for May 16-27 of 2022.

Please review the important parent/guardian resources found in the “Resources” box on the right of the screen.

The documents are available in English and Spanish. They are:

• Keystone: Parent FAQ | Preguntas Frecuentes de los Padres
• Keystone: Cell Phone Policy | Póliza de los Teléfonos
• Keystone: Calculator Policy | Póliza de la Calculadora
• Keystone: Code of Conduct | Código de Conducta

For any students taking either Algebra 1, Biology, or Literature Keystone please email Ms. Jennifer Juarez (jjuarez@ccs.us) with questions.