What does the PSSA offer to your child?
The Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA) provides your child with the opportunity to demonstrate skills which he or she has learned in the areas of math and reading (grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 11) in writing (grades 5, 8, and 11, only), and in science (grades 4, 7 & 11 only). These assessments are given throughout Pennsylvania annually, and are aligned to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. When combined with teacher grades and comments and your own observations of your child, the PSSA provides a basis for assessing your child's development in critical areas and helps plan for your child's academic success. Centennial teachers and principals value the PSSA as one measure of proficiency because it goes beyond multiple-choice questions and requires students to show evidence of their understanding and use of problem-solving strategies.

What are teachers doing to help prepare my child for the PSSA?
Centennial teachers have attended workshops on preparing students for the PSSA. Reading, English, Science, and Mathematics teachers have reviewed the Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines and have provided your child with opportunities to complete sample PSSA questions both in class and as a routine part of homework and testing. Since the writing responses are scored using a rubric (a score sheet which describes how well a student has performed in four areas: focus, content, organization, and style), our students and teachers practice using writing rubrics in all grades and classes for many written assignments.

How does the PSSA help Centennial schools?
Since 1997, schools have been able to compare their scores to their baseline scores from previous years. Where scores are high over several years, they validate the good work of students and their teachers, and they serve as a measure of accountability. Where scores are low, they help teachers and principals identify areas of curriculum and instruction which may need improvement. When scores increase, they demonstrate Centennial's commitment to continuous improvement of high-quality teaching and learning.

What are the testing dates?
Generally, the reading & math assessments take place in mid-to-late March during a two week window, and teh writing and science assessments occur either just before or after in a one-week window.  Your principal will provide information about exact testing dates in your child's school. The testing is spread over several days. Completion of the reading and math assessments takes about five hours for grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 and about four hours for grade 3; the writing assessment takes about three hours, and the science about one hour.

May parents see the assessment forms?
Parents may review all forms for their child's grade level by making arrangements with the school principal.

How can parents support the PSSA?
• Be sure that your child is well rested and attends school on all testing days.
• Encourage your child to take the test seriously.
• Let your child know that you are interested in the results.

Are there provisions for children with disabilities?
Students with disabilities must participate in PSSA, with appropriate IEP accommodations. Their results are included in the school and district results. All special education teachers are trained to accommodate the needs of these students. A very few students in special programs will take a specially adapted test (PASA).