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"Getting Ready" 2012

2011-2012 Assessment Handbook (PDF) (updated Oct. 2011)

Getting Ready for the 2012 State Assessments Webinar Recording (Oct. 2011)

Getting Ready for the 2012 State Assessments PowerPoint (PowerPoint)
Getting Ready for the 2012 State Assessments PowerPoint (PDF)

PSSA-M: Assigning Students to the Test and Understanding Participation (PowerPoint)
PSSA-M: Assigning Students to the Test and Understanding Participation (PDF)

New for 2011-2012 - PSSA Braille Item Samplers (*Please note:  There will not be any new PSSA or PSSA-M Item Samplers released this school year.  We plan on creating new Samplers for the 2012-2013 school year.  Please continue to use the archived Item and Scoring Samplers further down the page.)

The Braille PSSA Item Samplers are now available in contracted braille format.
 
Item Samplers for students who will take the PSSA in Braille format are available and will need to be ordered by contacting Ms. Cathy Nadberazny at the PaTTAN AIM Center by phone at 1.800.360.7282 extension 3317 or by email at cathyn@pattan.net.  If possible, please return the Item Sampler that includes tactile graphics.  An envelope with a return address is being sent so that the tactile graphics can be returned.  Please note that no new items have been added since the 2010 Braille Item Samplers were released last year.

The samplers can be accessed below and are in a braille-ready file (.brf) format which can be embossed locally.  The tactile graphics are available in a pdf format which can be reproduced with appropriate equipment (i.e., tactile image enhancer or PIAF) and specialized paper.  Please note that these files do not contain any new or additional sample items.  They are provided for the convenience of any LEA who may want to emboss locally.

Performance Level Descriptors and Cut Scores (all grades/subjects)

 
Mathematics Resources
 
Mathematics General Scoring Guidelines (PDF)

2009-2010
2008-2009 (Please Note: The 2008-2009 Item and Scoring Samplers do not contain newly released items. They are a compilation of previously released items.)
2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
 
Reading Resources
 
 
2010-2011
2009-2010
2008-2009 (Please Note: The 2008-2009 Item and Scoring Samplers do not contain newly released items. They are a compilation of previously released items.)
2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
 
Science Resources
 
 
 
2008-2009 (Please Note: The 2008-2009 Item and Scoring Samplers do not contain newly released items. They are a compilation of previously released items.)
2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006
  
Writing Resources
 
 
PSSA Writing Scoring Guidelines (PDF) - These mode-specific scoring guidelines are used for scoring the PSSA Writing Assessment. 
 
Writing Domain Scoring Guide (PDF) - May be used for instruction and/or local assessment.  Mode-specific Scoring Guidelines, which can be viewed at the link directly above, are used for scoring the PSSA Writing Assessment.
 
2008-2009 (Please Note: The 2008-2009 Item and Scoring Samplers do not contain newly released items. They are a compilation of previously released items.)
2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006

For additional information, please contact:

Dana Klouser | AO/Program Manager
Pennsylvania Department of Education - Assessment and Accountability
333 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: 717.705.3771 | Fax: 717.783.6642
00testing@psupen.psu.edu | www.education.state.pa.us
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