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by Joshua A. Taton, Ph.D. | August 21, 2023 | 2 min read

This is an important announcement for PA educators! Be a part of the PSSA and Keystone testing process and earn Act 48 credits! 

Apply here: https://web.cvent.com/.../ffa3ba29-9d82-40d0-a85d.../welcome

The Pennsylvania Department of Education and Data Recognition Corporation are looking for PA educators to serve on committees that revise, approve, and/or reject assessment items.

Committee members help with initial item review and alignment, looking at field-test results, addressing bias, and scoring constructed-response items. PA educators are involved in all parts of the process, and more voices are needed.

Apply here: https://web.cvent.com/.../ffa3ba29-9d82-40d0-a85d.../welcome

It is fair and understandable that you might have concerns about standardized testing—namely, the overall process and underlying approach. For those who have such concerns, I would encourage you to contact the Pennsylvania Assembly, Governor Josh Shapiro, and your federal representatives to support changes to the law.

In my view, with regard to changing Commonwealth law, it is absolutely crucial that we advocate for: 

• Updating the PA Core Standards (more on this in another post),

• Modifying the testing blueprint, so that all yearly content isn't expected by testing season, 

• Fixing the issues with yearly content demands and MTSS-RtII needs, and 

• Addressing the Keystone / PSSA double-testing requirement for Grade 8 Algebra I students.

While the current law exists, in my view, it is incumbent that we help make the PSSA-Keystone testing process as reflective of the needs and realities of PA educators and students as possible.

I welcome your thoughts.