Our assessments are more than just tests. They are integral tools for gathering information about students’ progress, strengths and weaknesses in order to provide the best possible education. They also help in determining the grades children receive each semester on their progress reports. The following are part of PA Virtual’s assessment program:

• Lesson assessments to determine mastery of objectives.
• Unit assessments to assess mastery of the lessons in a unit (such as “Fractions” or “Ancient Egypt”). These are usually composed of about 20 questions.
• Semester evaluations to provide information on what has been accomplished.
• Teacher conferences and informal reviews to check for understanding of objectives and to review progress on a regular basis.
• The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), the state’s primary No Child Left Behind compliance measures­­. The PSSA is a standardized test that measures a student’s proficiency in Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science. It also assists schools in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their academic programs. Every Pennsylvania student is assessed in reading and math in grades 3-8, and 11, and in writing in grades 5 and 8.Should read  Every Pennsylvania student is assessed in reading and math in grades 3-8 and 11, in writing in grades 5, 8 and 11 and in Science in grades 4, 8 and 11.
• Standardized exams to help the school evaluate student performance.
• Literacy Screenings using Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) are administered twice a year to students in Kindergarten through grade 2.
• I-Ready-a researched based diagnostic tool for math and reading for students in grades K-8 that ensures that all skills are being mastered according to the Pennsylvania Standards

To learn more about enrollment in PA Virtual and our placement assessments, contact us today.

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)

The PSSA is Pennsylvania’s achievement test required by the Federal No Child Left Behind law, and must be taken by all students in grades 3-8 and 11 to measure academic standards and determine the level to which schools enable students to become proficient. The PSSA is scored on standards of Advanced, Proficient, Basic and Below Basic. NCLB standards require 81% percent of students scoring proficient or above in Reading and 78% percent scoring proficient or above in Math. It is the goal of NCLB that ALL students will be proficient or advanced in Reading and Math by the year 2014