Frequently Asked Questions
About Pennsylvania's Academic Standards
Revised August 5, 2008

Families may have questions about Pennsylvania's Academic Standards--how they were developed, how they'll be used and how they will affect your child's education.  This group of Frequently Asked Questions should give you some answers. 

The questions and answers are divided by topics.  There are questions that could fall into more than one category, so please check all possible topic areas for the answer to your question.  The questions and responses were adapted from the many resources listed at the end of this section.  The question and answer topics include: 

• Chapter 4
• Academic Standards
• Assessments
• Special Needs
• English as a Second Language
• High School Graduation
• Strategic Plans

Chapter 4

1. What is Chapter 4?

   Chapter 4 is a new portion of the School Code that became effective on January 16, 1999.  Chapter 4 deals with academic standards and assessment and replaces the previous Chapters 3, 5 and 6.
    

2. What areas does Chapter 4 address?

   The purpose of public education
   Academic standards
   Strategic planning requirements
    

3. How does Chapter 4 define the purpose of public education?

   The new regulations state that the purpose of public education is to prepare students for adult life by challenging them to achieve their highest academic and developmental potentials
    

4. Who created Chapter 4?

   Chapter 4 was created by the State Board of Education after input from educators, business leaders, parents and many education organizations.
    

5. Who reviewed the Academic Standards?

   The State Board of Educations had national experts on standards review Pennsylvania's Academic Standards.  Parents, educators, businesses and the public could express their views at public hearings about the proposed standards.
    

6. What does Chapter 4 affect?

   The Chapter 4 regulations apply to all students in all Pennsylvania public schools, including public vocational-technical schools and charter schools.
    

7. What subjects are included under the new regulations?

   Chapter 4 currently outlines Academic Standards in the following content areas:

    

   • Arts and Humanities
   • Career Education and Work
   • Civics and Government
   • Economics
   • Environment and Ecology
   • Family and Consumer Science
   • Geography
   • Health, Safety and Physical Education
   • History
   • Mathematics
   • Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening
   • Science and Technology

    

8. Does Chapter 4 include language requirements other than English?

   Each School district shall provide instruction in at least two languages in addition to English, at least one of which shall be a modern language, and at least one of which shall be offered in a minimum 4-year sequence in the secondary program (middle level and high school).  World Language instruction may be offered beginning at any grade level, including the elementary grades.  Chapter 4 recommends, but does not mandate, that students graduating from high school demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.
    

9. Do Chapter 4 regulations change the length of the school year?

   No, students will still have to attend school for at least 180 days each academic year.  Elementary students will have to attend school for a minimum of 900 hours.  High school students will have to attend school for 990 hours.
    

10. As a parent or guardian, do I have rights in Chapter 4 regarding my child's education?

    Yes, Chapter 4 outlines specific rights for parents or guardians of students.

    • Parents or guardians have the right to review the curriculum for each subject, the standards for that subject, the teaching materials and the kinds of assessments that will be given.
    • Parents or guardians have the right to know the process that the school district has created for reviewing these materials.
    • With a written request, parents or guardians may have their children excused from any specific lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs.
    • Parents or guardians have the right to review the state assessments in the school at lest two weeks before they are given.  The school has to provide convenient times for parents to review them.
    • Parents or guardians have the right to review the state assessments in the school at least two weeks before they are given.  The school has to provide convenient times for parents to review them.
    • If parents or guardians review specific state assessments and detect a conflict with their religious beliefs, with a written request to the Superintendent, they may have their children excused from taking those specific assessments.
    • Parents or guardians have the right to be represented on the school district's strategic planning committee.
    • Parents or guardians have the right to request that their children be excluded from any research studies or surveys conducted by non-school groups, unless they have given consent.
       
11. How does Chapter 4 change my school district's curriculum?

    Your school district will be required to develop a curriculum based on the Academic Standards in Chapter 4.  The curriculum is one component of a school district's strategic plan.  The district may also include local academic standards in its strategic plan.

Academic Standards

12. What is an Academic Standard?

    An Academic Standard states what a student should know and be able to do at a certain grade level.
     

13. How do Academic Standards describe what students should know and be able to do?

    Pennsylvania's Academic Standards are divided into content areas, such as mathematics and reading.  Each content area is broken down into different components.  Within each area, there are descriptions of skills and knowledge that students should have acquired by different grade levels.  for example, an Academic Standard for Mathematics states that students in third grade should be able to "Tell time (analog and digital) to the exact minute."  Assessments will test this skill.
     

14. How do schools use Academic Standards?
    • Schools set goals and a plan of action for meeting those goals.  Academic Standards make it more likely that all school activities--spending decisions, lesson plans, teaching methods and the measurement of performance--are designed with the same goals in mind.
    • By having standards, schools send the message that all students are expected to gain certain knowledge and skills.
    • Academic Standards help teachers focus on teaching a specific body of knowledge and skills.  This helps them make decisions on how to use classroom time.
    • Academic Standards help teachers coordinate what is taught in different classrooms.  All students in a grade are involved with standards, and each grade builds on the skills and knowledge learned the previous year.
    • Academic Standards help schools select teaching materials, such as text books, so there is a match between what is taught and what students are expected to learn.
    • Academic Standards provide a basis or measuring student progress.  PSSA results are provided online at www.paapy.com.
    • Academic Standards help school districts compare their performance with those of similar districts.

Assessments

15. What is an assessment?

    An assessment is any kind of measure designed to see what a student knows and can do.  Students take many types of assessments.  A spelling test is an example of an assessment used by a classroom teacher.
     

16. Are school assessments a new idea in Pennsylvania?

    No.  Pennsylvania has conducted some form of school assessment since 1970.  The present system, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), is a result of the third major revision in how school assessments are conducted in our state.
     

17. How will the PSSA assessments relate to Pennsylvania's Academic Standards?

    Pennsylvania's Academic Standards form the basis for constructing the assessments.  The PSSA asks questions related to the Academic Standards.
     

18. How does Chapter 4 change the PSSA?

    The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has revamped the PSSA based on the Academics Standards set for reading, writing, mathematics, and science.
     

19. Why does Pennsylvania use assessments?

    Assessments provide information to students about their progress.  Results also help school districts and tax payers to evaluate the quality of education in their districts.
     

20. How will taking these assessments benefit my child?
    • The assessment results will give your child another way to measure his or her school progress.
    • Assessments will also help you and your child's school to identify any academic problems at an early stage.
       
21. How will the assessment results be reported?

    Copies of each individual's results are sent to the school district.  A copy of each child's assessment results is shared with parents.
     

22. Will my child's scores be released to the public?

    No.  Only summaries of scores, including results by school district, will be available to the public.  Individual results are reported only to parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators and guidance counselors.
     

23. Must my child take the assessment tests?

    Nearly all children in Pennsylvania will take the assessments.  But if, after reviewing the assessment materials, you object to a specific assessment on religious grounds, you may write to your school district's superintendent regarding the child's exclusion.  See the "Special Needs" section of these questions for more information about children with disabilities.
     

24. What happens if my child is sick on the day of the assessment?

    Children will be able to make up the assessment.
     

25. What can I do as a parent to help my child do well on the assessments?

     

    • Practice reading, writing and using mathematics everyday with your child.
    • Help your child learn from classroom assignments and tests.
    • Talk with your child's teacher to stay informed of current classroom activities.
    • Help your child become comfortable and confident when taking tests.
    • Mark your calendar with PSSA testing dates.
    • Help your child balance learning, extracurricular activities and part-time employment.
    • Visit the district's website (www.wasd.org) to see a bank of previously issued questions from the state assessments, so that you can see the type of questions your child is being asked to respond to.

     

Special Needs

26. Does Chapter 4 address special education?

    Yes, there are several references to special education.  These references reaffirm the state's commitment to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA '97).
     

27. How will Academic Standards be applied to my student with special needs?

    Chapter 4 states that children with disabilities shall be included in PSSA assessments.  This is consistent with the IDEA '97 requirement that children with disabilities be included in general state- and district-wide assessment programs.
     

28. Can an IEP team determine that a student with a disability does not have to take PSSA assessments?

    The IEP team determines how the student will participate in statewide assessments either:

    1. without accommodations;
    2. with accommodations; or
    3. by taking the alternate assessment.
        
29. Will students with disabilities be able to graduate if they do not complete all the requirements outlined in Chapter 4?

    The IEP team shall continue to determine the graduation criteria on an individual basis for students with disabilities.  Chapter 4 continues to support the development of an individual educational program for children with disabilities, in accordance with IDEA '97.
     

30. Where can I go to find out more about the PSSA and students with special needs?

    You also may talk to your child's teacher and to the director of special education in your school district.

English as a Second Language

31. What help does a district have to provide my child who doesn't speak or understand English?

    The district must provide a program for English language learners.  The program will include instruction in English as a second language to: a) help the child acquire English language proficiency and b) help the child meet Academic Standards in content classes.
     

32. What will happen if my child is not able to meet the Academic Standards to graduate by age 18?

    A student may be enrolled in school until age 21.  Therefore it is possible to meet the Academic Standards over more than four years of high school.
     

33. How can my child take the PSSA assessment in English when he or she is still learning English?

    Districts will make accommodations, such as extending the time for completing the test, for children who require them.  Participation in the assessment is mandatory.
     

34. If I believe my child with limited English proficiency has a disability, how can the district determine if she or he needs special education?

    If you have concerns about the educational progress that your child is making, the staff at your child's school will be able to help you.  State and federal laws provide procedures for evaluating students who may have special needs.  In order for your child to receive special education services, the school must determine that a disability exists in the native language and that the student is doing poorly in class for reasons beyond lack of English proficiency.  Remember that learning English takes time and that students will be progressing slowly towards standards in the content areas.
     

35. What can I do if I suspect that my child is receiving special education services only because of his or her limited English proficiency?

    The fact that the child is not proficient in English is not a reason for placing the child in special education.  You must participate in the placement decision.  If you do not agree, wish to appeal or have questions, you may follow certain procedures.  Your child's school can tell you the procedures, with whom to talk and where to go.

High School Graduation

36. Will my child have to get a certain score on the assessment in order to graduate from high school?

    By state mandate, a student at the Williamsport Area High School shall receive a diploma ONLY by fully and successfully satisfying each of the following

    • Earning a minimum of 22 credits
    • Scoring at the Proficient or Advanced level on the eleventh grade Reading, Math and Writing PSSA.

    Failure to perform at the Proficient or Advanced level in each of the three tested areas will result in the following:

    • Students who score at the Basic or Below Basic level on any portion of the state assessment during their junior year will be urged to sit again for that portion of the state retest during the fall of their senior year.
    • Students not achieving proficiency on the state retest will be required to take the District Local Assessment, which will be offered in the second semester of their senior year.

 
Strategic Plans

37. What is the strategic plan?

    Each Pennsylvania school district and vocational-technical school is required to create a strategic plan for the district every six (6) years.  The plan includes:

    • A description of the school district's organization and goals;
    • Academic standards for students;
    • Descriptions of instruction and assessment;
    • Methods to improve student achievement; and
    • Learning opportunities for additional instruction for students who do not meet the standards.
       
38. Who serves on the strategic planning committee?

    The strategic planning committee is composed of teachers (chosen by other teachers), school administrators (chosen by other administrators), school directors (chosen by other school directors), parents, business and community representatives.
     

39. Who approves the strategic plan?

    The school board approves the strategic plan.  The public has an opportunity to review the proposed strategic plan for at least 28 days prior to final approval by the school board.  The strategic plan is then filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
     

40. Is there an opportunity to change the strategic plan?

    Yes.  The strategic planning committee may review the strategic plan at any time but a mid-point review must be done after three (3) years.  Any changes made must be filed as amendments to the original plan with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.