PSSA Information Available in Multiple Languages

The PSSA examinations started April 3 and conclude May 5. The Office of Translation & Interpretation has produced translated webpages and documents about the PSSAs so that all families can help their children prepare for the tests.

Click on the links to access translated documents/information!

Basic facts about PSSA Exams

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based criterion-referenced assessment used to measure...
How well individual students are learning in English, Math, and Science
How well the schools/programs are doing in teaching the students in above-mentioned subjects
Why PSSA is important?
To know your child's strengths and weaknesses so you may take targeted corrective actions
Most of the Special Admission schools in Philadelphia list PSSA scores as part of their admission criteria (Special Adm. Middle Schools and Special Adm. High Schools)
PSSA-About the test
Frequently Asked Questions
PSSA Scoring System
Scale score/performance descriptor Scale: 600-1300 Performance descriptor: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced Examples: 1200/Advanced in English, 950/Basic in Math, or 620/Below Basic in Science, etc.
Local district percentile Definition: The ranking of any given student among all participating students of the test in terms of percentage Example: 75% percentile means that this student's score is higher than 75% of all participating students from the School District of Philadelphia How to convert scale scores to percentiles? Click here
How to access PSSA results?
Fast track: Check Parent and Family Portal (PFP) around mid-June (highly recommended)-What is PFP?
Slow track: Hard copies in the mail in September
Accommodations
Certain accommodations are provided to Special Ed students and ELLs during the exams. For details, please read PSSA/Keystone Accommodations