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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

BREAKING NEWS: Pennsylvania Department of Education cancels PSSA, Keystones and PASA

The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced today, March 19, the cancelation of all PSSA testing and Keystone exams for the 2019-2020 school year as a result of COVID-19.

This includes the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment.

“Our school communities are operating within unprecedented conditions,” said Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. “Schools are making extraordinary efforts to remain connected to students and families, to provide food service and to put appropriate systems in place to continue student learning. Assessments should not be the focus of school leaders right now.

“To be clear, all assessments are canceled for this year.

“The department will submit the requisite waivers to the U.S. Department of Education but no schools in the commonwealth will be administering these tests this year.”

PSSA testing was scheduled to begin April 20. Keystone testing was scheduled to begin May 11.

Information from the state Department of Education states the PASA testing window is open; however, all testing was halted March 16, when all public schools closed.

Rivera said the department is monitoring emerging federal guidance, working with other states to advocate for flexibility, and will pursue appropriate waivers to the fullest extent allowable as soon as the USDE guidance is clarified.

According to the information provided, the USDE has already stated that it will consider a “targeted one-year waiver of the assessment requirements for those schools impacted by extraordinary circumstances.”