PSSA Test Times Reduced For Many Pennsylvania Students

HARRISBURG, PA — State officials on Monday announced a "significant reduction" in standardized testing for many Pennsylvania students. The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) will be reduced by at least 20 percent for students in grades three through eight, Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday.

Starting this school year, students and teachers in those grades will spend an average of 20 percent less time on statewide testing, Wolf said.

According to information from the governor's office, two sections — one in math, one in English language arts — have been removed from the PSSA test for those students. Questions from the science section have also been omitted.

The changes could eliminate up to two full testing days for some schools, according to the state.

The math assessment will be shortened by 48 minutes for students in grades three through eight by removing a section of multiple choice questions. The English Language Arts assessment will be shortened by 45 minutes, and the science assessment will be shortened by 22 minutes. Click here to learn more.

“I have heard from parents, students and educators concerned about the amount of time devoted to taking standardized tests,” Wolf said in a statement. “This reduction will ease the stress placed on our kids, and will allow students and teachers to focus more on learning than on testing. This change should also reassure parents that we’ve listened to their concerns about over-testing.”

Photo: Flickr, Mark Bonica