Science PSSA Update

   The Department of Education (Division of Assessment, Bureau of Curriculum and Academic Services) would like to announce its current plans for the science exam in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment.  Thursday, May 8, 2003, is the first day of a two-week window in which approximately 40% of schools throughout the Commonwealth will be participating in this year's voluntary field test. Current plans call for this voluntary field testing with school level reporting to continue until 2005-06.  In 2006-07, the state will have a statewide mandatory pilot exam that will be used to establish the proficiency cut scores. The proficiency cut scores will be used for the first fully operational exam in 2007-08.