JMS PSSA Information

Dear JMS Families,

The District will be administering the PSSAs this year in compliance with the PA Department of Education's direction. The results we achieve on these exams provide us with valuable information that can be used to assess our students' knowledge of grade level standards, our teaching, and our educational programming. Our students have been working hard throughout the year and are prepared for these exams.

The MtLSD testing schedule is as follows:

• April 24-26 - PSSA ELA

• May 2-3 - PSSA Math

• May 4-5 - PSSA Science (Grade 8 Only)

If you have any questions or are in need of more information, please contact us.

Thank you for your continued support throughout this school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Shaw and Mrs. Amanda Jackson

• April 24-26 - PSSA ELA

• May 2-3 - PSSA Math

• May 4-5 - PSSA Science (Grade 8 Only)

Testing will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will end at 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. However, the tests are untimed. Any student in need of extended time may finish later than 11:00 a.m.

JMS PSSA Bell Schedule

This bell schedule will be used on testing days.

Click on the links below to review the following documents from the Pennsylvania Department of Education:

• Parent letter about the use of electronic devices during PSSA testing
• PSSA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• PDE Calculator Policy

Though we have been exceedingly diligent with our instructional program since school started this year, and are confident in our students' abilities, these assessments may bring a heightened level of worry. While this worry is understandable, it can be minimized. Here are some easy ways you can help your child to be at their best during the PSSA test window:

• Get a good night's sleep
• Insist on a good breakfast before school
• Arrive at school on time
• Instill a sense of confidence and a desire for your child(ren) to do their best no matter how hard the tests may be
• Let them know how proud you are of their abilities and their efforts

The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student's attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 4 and 8 is assessed in Science. Individual student scores, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning. In compliance with §4.51(b)(4) of the PA School Code the State Board of Education approved, "specific criteria for advanced, proficient, basic and below basic levels of performance." (excerpt from the Pennsylvania Department of Education website)

It is important to understand that these tests are a snapshot of your student's performance during a given time frame. The results may not be an indication of how successful your student has been all year. These scores are primarily used to provide administration and teachers with information that they need to guide instruction, make curriculum changes, and identify individual students that may need extra support in a specific content area.

The Jefferson Middle School learning community has an exceptional reputation for its dedicated teachers, staff and parents working together to provide learning experiences for our children that include high expectations, a challenging curriculum and a shared commitment to provide the best education possible for each and every student.

Email: sshaw@mtlsd.net
Website: https://jms.mtlsd.org/
Location: 21 Moffett Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: (412) 344-2120
Facebook: facebook.com/jmslebo
Twitter: @JMSMTLSD