Tuesday, April 9, 2013
One Pittsburgh woman says so. Patch readers chime in.
An opinion piece recently published in the Post-Gazette has created quite the buzz on Facebook. Kathy Newman, an English professor and mother of a third grader, wrote that she is having her son "opt out" of this year's PSSA because the stressful tests "warp the educational environment." Her son attends Pittsburgh's Linden Elementary School. We asked our Patch readers on Facebook if they support Newman's decision and what they think of Pennsylvania's standardized tests, and we received a mixed bag of reaction. Most of the commenters think Newman is right on—calling the PSSAs "a waste of time." Two others think Newman might be making the wrong decision. "You might be able to shelter your young child from the rigors of the real world, but …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The new state-mandated tests have caused a need for a change.
Upper St. Clair School District administrators are recommending the school board adopt new graduation requirements for the current freshmen, sophomores and juniors at the high school. The policy must be changed because Pennsylvania no longer gives PSSAs to juniors, which are part of the current graduation requirement for Upper St. Clair High School. In the proposal, students would continue to be required to earn at least 45 credits (eight English; six math; six social studies; six science; four arts/humanities; three physical education; one health; 11 electives) and continue to complete a career-focused graduation project. The change? A new requirement for students to demonstrate proficiency on the Keystone exam for algebra I, English …
Monday, December 3, 2012
The exams are described as a 'dramatic change' for the district.
The Upper St. Clair School District today is set to administer the first wave of new statewide standardized tests, according to the school calendar. "The Keystone Exams are a dramatic change for us (the district)," said Judith Bulazo, director of curriculum and professional development. High school juniors will be tested in algebra, literature and biology. Students in lower grades who have completed courses in those subjects will also take the exams. The subject-specific Keystone Exams will eventually replace the longstanding PSSAs. This year’s eighth graders will have to pass the math, English and biology Keystone Exams—which are not attached to a grade level—by their senior year in order to earn a high school diploma. Students who fail …
Wake Up
9:03 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
PSSA's are a joke! When I was a youngster I took the PSSA's. I was always a few grades behind my classmates in reading comprehension and had special reading classes for my lower abilities. However, when it was time to take the PSSA's, I was tested on the grade level I was at currently. It does not take in account students with lower learning skills. As a result, my tests scores always were below… more ›