Assessment and Accountability

Students in the Avon Grove School District participate in a comprehensive assessment program that provides important information to teachers, students, and parents regarding the progress of all students toward their learning goals and targets. Combining local assessments, state assessments (PSSA, Keystone, WIDA, etc.), and national assessments (AP, PSSA, SAT, Exact Path, etc.), teachers and administrators work together to analyze student performance and develop action steps to help all students reach their potential.

State Assessment System

The Pennsylvania state assessment system is composed of assessments and the reporting associated with the results of those assessments. The assessment system includes the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA), the Pennsylvania Accountability System (PAS), the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS), the Keystone Exams (end-of-course), and Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT).

 

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) includes assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics which are taken by students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Students in grades 4 and 8 are administered the Science PSSA. The English Language Arts and Mathematics PSSAs include items that are consistent with the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The Science PSSA includes items that are aligned to the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content aligned to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science, Technology, Environment and Ecology.

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Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) is a statewide alternate assessment designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Specifically, it is intended for those who are unable to participate meaningfully in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) even with accommodations. By administering the PASA to students with severe disabilities, schools achieve compliance with federal laws and the Pennsylvania School Code that require that all students participate in the statewide accountability system.

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The Pennsylvania Accountability System (PAS) applies to all public schools and districts. It is based upon the State's content and achievement standards, valid and reliable measures of academic achievement, and other key indicators of school and district performance such as attendance and graduation rates. The Pennsylvania Accountability System meets federal and state requirements

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The Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS) is a statistical analysis of Pennsylvania (PA) state assessment data, and provides Pennsylvania districts and schools with growth data to add to achievement data. This lens of measuring student learning provides educators with valuable information to ensure they are meeting the academic needs of groups of students, as well as individual students. PVAAS is one of a cadre of tools provided to districts from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Districts and schools use PVAAS (growth data), in conjunction with achievement data, to make sure students are on the path to proficiency and beyond.

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Keystone Exams are end–of-course assessments in designated content areas. The Keystone Exams serve two purposes: (1) high school accountability assessments for federal and state purposes and (2) high school graduation requirements for students beginning with the class of 2017. The Algebra I and Literature Keystone Exams include items written to the Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards in Mathematics and English Language Arts. The Biology Keystone Exam includes items written to the Assessment Anchor/Eligible Content aligned to the enhanced Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science.

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The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) is a set of online assessments, divided by content area, designed to provide diagnostic information in order to guide instruction and remediation. The CDT reporting system is fully integrated in the Standards Aligned System (SAS). It assists educators in supporting student academic strengths, and areas in need of improvement, by providing links to classroom resources. The diagnostic reports feature easy-to-follow links to targeted curricular resources and materials, including units and lesson plans found within the SAS system. The CDT is available to districts at no cost.

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Required Federal Reporting Measures (RFRM)

As part of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Pennsylvania's ESEA waiver was approved on Aug. 20, 2013. The purpose of the RFRM is to report federal reporting measures as identified in the waiver. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) "must prepare and disseminate an annual report card (ESEA section 111(h)(1) and (h)(2)".

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SAT and ACT Scores

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Exact Path

Edmentum Exact Path utilizes adaptive diagnostic assessments paired with individualized learning paths to promote academic growth. All elementary students will participate in the Exact Path Diagnostic Screener three times during the school year.

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Elementary Report Card

The Avon Grove School District elementary curriculum is aligned to the Pennsylvania Core and Academic Standards, and as a result, a standards-based reporting system is utilized. Over the course of each trimester, teachers assess student performance using a variety of measures. A primary purpose of a Standards-Based Reporting system is to provide information to caregivers regarding the progress their child is making toward a year-end defined learning standard as set forth by specific grade level content and skills.

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