IMPORTANT State Assessment Information

Amanda Cribbs, EdD
Superintendent

Email: amanda.cribbs@ecspgh.org

Phone: x557

Dear ECS Families, 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all school districts to administer the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) to students in grades 3–8 and the Keystone Exams to students in grades 9–11. As ECS is preparing to administer these state assessments, I want to share the following information regarding exclusion requests and important dates. 

Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. code 4.4) provides for the right of any parent/guardian to excuse their child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to conflict with their religious beliefs. This is the only basis under Chapter 4 rules for a parent/guardian to excuse their child from the statewide assessments.

The request protocol for exclusion from the State assessment is as follows:

  • Parents/guardians who feel that the assessment may conflict with their religious beliefs must contact their building principal to set up a time to meet and review the assessment.

  • Parents/guardians must review the assessments on district property with district personnel present at all times. Districts must provide a convenient time for the review (see below).

  • Parents/guardians must sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement. Parents/guardians may not photocopy, write down, or in any other manner, record any portion of the assessments, including directions. 

  • If after reviewing the test, parents/guardians find the test to conflict with their religious beliefs and wish their student(s) be excused from the test, the parents/guardians must provide a written request that states the objection to the Superintendent. 

  • If the student is excused from the assessment due to parental request, the school personnel will provide an alternative learning environment and/or assessment for the student. Students opting out of the assessment due to parental request will not negatively impact the individual child, however, opting out does decrease the school’s participation rate and can potentially have a negative impact on the school’s accountability status.

Important PSSA Dates

  • The 2023 PSSA testing window begins Monday, April 24, 2023.

  • PSSA Tests can be viewed until Thursday, April 20.

  • No PSSA opt-outs will be accepted after Thursday, April 20.

Important Keystone Exam Dates

  • The 2023 Keystone Exam testing window begins Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

  • Keystone Exams can be viewed until Wednesday, May 10.

  • No Keystone Exam opt-outs will be accepted after Wednesday, May 10.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me or your building administrator.

Sincerely, 

Amanda Cribbs, EdD
Superintendent

District Communication, Hawk NewsDeana CallipareComment