State Assessments
Spring 2017
PSSA and Keystone Testing Dates: Spring 2017
PSSA: Spring 2017
All students in grades 7 & 8 will take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA). The assessments are scheduled to take place between April 3, 2017 and May 5, 2017. Your child’s attendance is especially important during this testing window. All students will be included in the assessment, except for a few students who meet specific criteria. Parents and guardians may review the assessments by making arrangements with the school assessment coordinator. Confidentiality agreements must be signed, and no copies of the assessment or notes about assessment items will be permitted to leave the school. If after reviewing the test parents/guardians find the test to be in conflict with their religious belief and wish their student(s) to be excused from the test, the parents/guardians must provide a written request that states the objection to the Superintendent. Parents/guardians can help their children prepare for the test by ensuring that they get plenty of sleep the night before the test, they eat a good breakfast and encouraging them to do their best.
- English Language Arts: 4/3-4/7/2017
- Grades 7 & 8
- Mathematics: 4/24-/4/28/2017
- Grades 7 & 8
- Science: 5/1-5/5/2017
- Grade 8
PDE Guidelines for Electronic Devices
PDE GUIDELINES FOR STATE ASSESSMENT ADMINISTRATION POSSESSION AND/OR USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The Pennsylvania Department of Education would like to remind parents/guardians and students of PDE’s cell phone policy during testing, and what should be done if a student is caught using a cell phone or other electronic device during testing.
- Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during the test administration;
- All cell phones, smart phones, and other prohibited electronic devices will be collected as students enter the testing site;
- Using and/or having a cell phone or other electronic device during the test administration will result in the application of a “Do Not Score” label on the student’s test booklet and the student will be required to retake the entire exam;
- If a student uses a cell phone or electronic device in any manner during the administration of the test, the phone or electronic device will be confiscated until such time that the parent or guardian can come to the school, and in the presence of the parent or guardian, an administrator will view the cell phone or other electronic device to ensure that no information or material regarding the assessment is present;
- Violation of the no cell phone or other electronic device rule will result in discipline and that discipline will vary depending on whether test material has been compromised; and
- Any items on an assessment that have been compromised, and can no longer be used will have to be replaced, and the parents/guardians and students may be responsible for the cost of replacement. PDE advises that fines may range from $750 - $30,000 for a single violation.
Pennsylvania Calculator Policy
If a student chooses to use a calculator on the PSSA in sections where the calculator is permitted, the student must adhere to the guidelines listed below. The School Assessment Coordinator is required to ensure that all calculator policies are implemented and followed, including making sure calculators have no programs stored in their memory other than those that are factory installed. Please note that if a student wants to restore the deleted programs, the student will need to back up these programs prior to the assessment. In addition, the memory must be cleared on the calculator following each test session of the assessment.
The following are not permitted for the PSSA:
- Noncalculators such as cell phones, smart phones, PDAs, laptops, tablets, pocket organizers, etc.
- Calculators with infrared, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other beaming or wireless capabilities, unless the beaming or wireless capabilities are disabled
- Calculators with QWERTY keyboards, typewriter-like keyboards, or keypads (e.g., Dvorak)
- Calculators with built-in Computer Algebra Systems (CAS)
- Calculators that make noise, have paper tape, need to be plugged in, or talk; these specific calculators can only be used as a required accommodation as stated in the Accommodations Guidelines
- Calculators shared by students during a test session
- Any and all non-factory programs or information stored in the calculator
This calculator policy 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. Please note that as technology changes, this policy may also change.
LHS School Counselors
Mrs. Valonis - classes of 2017, 2019, 2021
Email: lhsguidance@lakelandsd.org
Website: http://counselingatlakeland.weebly.com/
Location: 1355 Lakeland Drive, Jermyn, Scott Township, PA, United States
Phone: 570-254-9485
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lhscounselors/
How are the results reported?
Keystone Exams
Keystone Exams
May 15-26, 2017
- Literature: 5/15-5/16/2017
- All students enrolled in English II and Honors English II will be assessed
- Algebra 1: 5/17-5/18/2017
- All students enrolled in Honors Algebra 1 (grade 8), Algebra 1, and Algebra 1B will be assessed.
- Biology: 5/23-5/24/2017
- All students enrolled in Honors Biology and Biology will be assessed.