• PSSA & Keystone Opt-Out Information

    This letter provides important information regarding the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and the required opt-out procedures. While the details are comprehensive, they are necessary to ensure you have all the required information.

    PSSA Participation

    The PSSA is the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) annual standards-based assessment used to measure students’ attainment of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science.

    • The ELA and Mathematics PSSAs are administered in grades 3 through 8.
    • The Science PSSA is administered in grades 5 and 8.

    The PSSAs will be administered online at your child’s school using their district-issued Chromebook. Specific testing times will be provided by your child’s school principal. Below is the general testing schedule:

     

    Elementary PSSA Testing Dates

    English Language Arts (Grades 3 & 4)

    April 22, 23 & 25, 2025

    Mathematics (Grades 3 & 4)

    April 29 & 30, 2025

    Make-Up Window

    April 28, 2025 – May 2, 2025
     

    Middle School PSSA Testing Dates

    English Language Arts (Grades 5, 6, 7, 8)

     

    April 22, 23, 25 

    Math (Grades 5, 6, 7, 8)

     

    April 28 & April 29 

    Science (Grade 5, 8)

     

    April 30 & May 1 

    Make-up Window

     

    April 28 – May 2
     

    Students learn the skills, concepts, and content necessary to take the PSSA through their daily instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. The results of these assessments will be one of the measures used to guide curricular updates and revisions. Additionally, the data will help the district plan targeted support for students who are not meeting expectations.

    PSSA Opt-Out Procedures

    Under PA Code 22, Chapter 4.4, parents/guardians may request that their child be exempt from participating in the PSSA if the tested content conflicts with their religious beliefs. If you wish to exempt your child, please follow the steps outlined below, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE):

    1. Contact the school to schedule a time to review the assessments to determine if they conflict with your religious beliefs. Viewing times will be available once the assessments arrive during the week of April 7, 2025.
    2. Sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement at the school during your scheduled time to review the assessments. A copy of this signed agreement will be kept on file at the school.
    3. If, after reviewing the materials, you wish to opt out your child from one or more assessments for religious reasons, submit a written letter to the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Jason Bowman, specifying the assessments(s) you would like your child exempt from due to religious reasons.

    Thank you for your support during the PSSA testing period. If you have any questions, please contact our office or your child’s school principal directly.