Bureau of Assessment and Accountability

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Bureau of Assessment and Accountability

September 6, 2013

Penn*Link Message

To: All LEAs, Superintendents, Principals, Assessment Coordinators, AVTSs, Charter

Schools, IUs

From: Ray Young, Chief

Division of Assessment

Re: Training Opportunity - “Getting Ready” for the 2014 State Assessments

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is providing the following training opportunity:

“GETTING READY” for the 2014 State Assessments

Assessment Specialists from the Division of Assessment will present information on the:

·  Winter Wave 1 Keystone Exams to be administered December 2 – 13, 2013

·  Winter Wave 2 Keystone Exams to be administered January 8 – 22, 2014

·  PSSA Grades 6 – 8 Writing Field Test to be administered February 3 – 14, 2014

·  PSSA Grades 5 and 8 Writing Assessment to be administered March 31 – April 4, 2014

·  PSSA Grades 5 and 8 Writing Assessment Make-Ups to be administered April 7 – 11, 2014

·  PSSA Grades 3 – 8 Math and Reading Assessments to be administered March 17 – 28, 2014

·  PSSA Math and Reading Make-Ups to be administered March 31 – April 4, 2014

·  PSSA Grades 4 and 8 Science PSSA to be administered April 28 – May 2, 2014

·  PSSA Science Make-Ups to be administered May 5 – 9, 2014

·  Spring Keystone Exams to be administered May 12 – 23, 2014

·  Summer Keystone Exams to be administered July 28 – August 1, 2014

The many changes from previous test administrations will be highlighted. In addition, information on Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be discussed. Opportunities will be provided for questions.

Presentations will be made via “GoToMeeting™.” To register, go to the link provided for each session:

October 16, 2013 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/115638610

October 17, 2013 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/198438314

October 17, 2013 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., the link is: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/360962074

A recording of one of the sessions, along with the PowerPoint, will be posted to eDirect and to the PDE website as soon as possible following the sessions.