The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) focuses on the subjects of English Language Arts, Mathematics, and—for grades 5 and 8 only—Science, and is aligned with the Pennsylvania Standards. The state requires all students, regardless of ability level, to take the PSSA or Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA).

The assessments provide schools with valuable information regarding their educational program and how students are performing as a collective group, and parents/guardians with insight about their student’s current level of knowledge in these subject areas, as well as, their progress over time. 

Tests are typically administered in the springtime, usually during a two-week period in April and/or May. For additional information, please read below.