2276 Approval of PSSA science performance level descriptors and cut scores

STATE BOARD
OF EDUCATION

Approval of PSSA Science Performance Level Descriptors and Cut Scores

[38 Pa.B. 6838]
[Saturday, December 13, 2008]

   At its regular public meeting held September 18, 2008, the State Board of Education (Board) approved new Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) performance level descriptors and performance level cut scores for certain grades in science that were recommended to the Board by the Department of Education (Department). The approved performance level descriptors and PSSA performance level cut scores are based upon the recommendations of teachers, administrators, university faculty and intermediate unit staff who participated in multiday workshops facilitated by the Department's assessment contractor.

   The performance level cut scores in science for grades 4, 8 and 11 as well as the science performance level cut scores for the same grades were developed for the first time as 2007-2008 school year was the first year in which the PSSA science assessments were administered in these grade levels. The Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that states begin assessing science in grades 4, 8 and 11 in the 2007-2008 school year. It is important to note that the PSSA Science Assessment, while required by NCLB, is not considered when determining whether a school makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In addition, current state high school graduation requirements do not require students to demonstrate proficiency on the PSSA Science Assessment; rather school districts determine whether students are proficient in science using local assessments in order to graduate from high school. (See 22 Pa. Code § 4.24(a) (relating to high school graduate requirements).

   The Board action was taken under general authority granted to it by the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. §§ 1-101--27-2702) and in accordance with specific provisions of the Board's regulations codified at 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 (relating to academic standards and assessment). The approved PSSA performance level cut scores are described infra in the Appendix. The performance level descriptors are available for review on the Department's web site at www.ped.state.pa.us.

Background

   Published at 29 Pa.B. 399 (January 16, 1999), the regulations of the Board now codified at 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 ''establish rigorous academic standards and assessments to facilitate the improvement of student achievement and to provide parents and communities a measure by which school performance can be determined.'' See 22 Pa. Code § 4.2 (relating to purpose). To help accomplish these goals, the Board established in Chapter 4 a State assessment system. The State assessment system is designed specifically to accomplish the following purposes:

   (1)  Provide students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance.

   (2)  Determine the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of academic standards under § 4.12 (relating to academic standards).

   (3)  Provide results to school districts, including charter schools, and AVTSs for consideration in the development of strategic plans under § 4.13 (relating to strategic plans).

   (4)  Provide information to State policymakers including the General Assembly and the Board on how effective schools are in promoting and demonstrating student proficiency of academic standards.

   (5)  Provide information to the general public on school performance.

   (6)  Provide results to school districts, including charter schools, and AVTSs based upon the aggregate performance of all students, for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and for those without an IEP. See 22 Pa. Code § 4.51(a) (relating to State assessment system).

   The State assessments must be administered annually and include assessments of the State academic standards in mathematics and reading at grades 3--8 and 11 and in writing at grades 5, 8 and 11 and in science at grades 4, 8 and 11. See 22 Pa. Code §§ 4.51(d) and 403.3(d) (relating to single accountability system).

   The Secretary of Education has the authority to establish guidelines for the administration of the State assessment system. See 22 Pa. Code § 4.51(h).

   The performance level cut scores and performance level descriptors for reading and mathematics in grades 5, 8 and 11 were first established and published at 31 Pa.B. 2763 (May 26, 2001). The performance level descriptors and performance level cut scores were updated and revised for reading and mathematics in grades 5, 8 and 11 and newly established for grade 3 in June and September 2005. These revisions were published at 35 Pa.B. 5442 (October 1, 2005). The performance level descriptors and performance level cut scores for grades 4, 6 and 7 in reading and mathematics were established in July 2006. They were published at 36 Pa.B. 3934 (July 22, 2006).

Development and Approval of Scores

   As part of the State assessment system established by the regulations, the Board delegated to the Department the very important task of developing specific criteria for each of the performance levels prescribed by § 4.51 (b)(4)--advanced, proficient, basic and below basic. Specifically, the Department is directed by the regulations to ''consult with educators, students, parents and citizens,'' and then to ''develop and recommend to the Board for its approval specific criteria for each performance level.'' Id.

   As reported to the Board at its September 18, 2008, meeting, the Department met with educators from across this Commonwealth to assist the Department in developing the performance levels descriptors and scores. Based on these efforts as described in detail for the Board at its meeting, the Department recommended the performance level descriptors and scores that the Board ultimately adopted at its September 18, 2008, meeting. Before adopting the performance level descriptors and scores on September 18, 2008, the Board provided members of the public in attendance with the opportunity to comment on the Department's recommendation.

   The approved performance levels (as they appear infra) will be applied to the 2008 PSSA test scores, which will be publicly released in September 2008. The Department and the Board will review the descriptors and scores periodically based on actual experience in using them and consider revisions as appropriate, using the same process prescribed by § 4.51(b)(4).

   Persons with questions or needing additional information regarding the Board's approval of these performance levels descriptors and cut scores may contact Jim Buckheit, Executive Director, State Board of Education, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333, [phone] or TDD [phone]. Persons with questions or needing additional information regarding the development and implementation of them should contact Dr. Shula Nedley, Director, Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333, [phone] or TDD [phone].

JIM BUCKHEIT,   
Executive Director

Appendix

   PSSA Performance Level Cut Scores, as approved by the State Board of Education, are as follows:

Performance Level Cut Scores

	Science
Performance Levels	Grade 4	Grade 8	Grade 11
Advanced	1483 and up	1464 and up	1347 and up
Proficient	1275--1482	1275--1463	1275--1346
Basic	1150--1274	1150--1274	1150--1274
Below Basic	1149 and below	1149 and below	1149 and below

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-2276. Filed for public inspection December 12, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]