PA Core Assessments

Administration
Community
Curriculum
Departments
Organizations
Human Resources
Our District
School Board

PA Core Assessments

All Pennsylvania students in grades 3 - 8 will take the PSSA exams. The exams will be based on the PA Core Standards. Below are resources DASD teachers will use with students along with Study Island to help prepare them for success.

Additional information can be found here: PA Core Assessments

PDE Resources

Performance Level Descriptors and Cut Scores (All Grade/Subjects)

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Performance Level Descriptors and Cut Scores

Mathematics Resources

PCS PSSA Mathematics Test Design (PDF)
2013-14 Mathematics Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 3 (PDF)
2013-14 Mathematics Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
2013-14 Mathematics Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 5 (PDF)
2014-15 Mathematics Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 6 (PDF)
2014-15 Mathematics Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 7 (PDF)
2014-15 Mathematics Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)
Grade 3 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines) (PDF)
Grade 4 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) (PDF)
Grade 5 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) (PDF)
Grade 6 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) (PDF)
Grade 7 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) (PDF)
Grade 8 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) (PDF)
Grade 3 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines) Spanish (PDF)
Grade 4 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) Spanish (PDF)
Grade 5 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) Spanish (PDF)
Grade 6 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) Spanish (PDF)
Grade 7 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) Spanish (PDF)
Grade 8 Mathematics Reference Document (Scoring Guidelines and Formulas) Spanish (PDF)

English Language Arts Resources

PCS PSSA English Language Arts Test Design (PDF)
PSSA Text Dependent Analysis Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
2016-17 English Language Arts Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 3 (PDF)
2013-14 English Language Arts Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
2013-14 English Language Arts Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 5 (PDF)
2014-15 English Language Arts Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 6 (PDF)
2014-15 English Language Arts Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 7 (PDF)
2014-15 English Language Arts Preliminary Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)
PSSA Grades 3-5 Narrative Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
PSSA Grades 3-5 Informational Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
PSSA Grades 3-5 Opinion Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
PSSA Grades 6-8 Narrative Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
PSSA Grades 6-8 Argumentative Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
PSSA Grades 6-8 Informative-Explanatory Scoring Guidelines (PDF)

Science Resources

2009-2010 Grade 4 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Supplement (PDF)
2009-2010 Grade 8 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Supplement (PDF)
PCS PSSA Science Test Design (PDF)
Science General Scoring Guidelines (PDF)
Science Assessment Glossary (PDF)