Will the PSSA always carry so much weight?

In December 2007, a discussion paper released by the PA State Board of Education recommended that high school graduation requirements be standardized throughout the state. Presently, students can show proficiency in Reading, Writing, and Math by scoring in the proficient range on the PSSA or by passing a local assessment. (A local school district can use their own test if a student cannot score proficient on the PSSA. Presently, this is not subject to a rigorous state review.)

The Board is proposing the use of four different methods to show student proficiency. First, a score of Proficient on the PSSA can be used. Second, a local assessment can be used with the additional requirement that the school district have the assessment independently reviewed to show that the test is aligned with the state standards. Third, ten Graduation Competency Assessments (GCA) would be given in the subjects of Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. A show of proficiency on one GCA in English, two in Mathematics, one in Science and one in Social Studies would be necessary for graduation. Fourth, proficiency could also be determined by the use of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) placement tests in subjects tested by a GCA. Any combination of these assessments may be used to show proficiency in the subjects listed. (PDE Discussion Paper) In January 2008, these new regulations were unanimously adopted. If the new regulations survive the year review process then they would be adopted in 2014.

Though this provides more options for meeting the requirements for graduation, generally school officials are not supportive of this venture. Many questions can be raised: Would the money needed to implement this test be better used to reduce class sizes and provide other educational support to the schools? (Raffaele) Will the GCA’s be a new kind of standardized test? Will it provide more opportunity for students to “pass” or simply have the school district decide on which “test” to concentrate. The list can go on!