Monday, August 3, 2015

Looking for PSSA data

Anonymous wrote:

"New post please 

Has anyone seen any PSSA data? I tried looking online and read that PA had approved a change in cut scores for proficiency. It said the scores would be delayed. Apparently the cut score were raised after the tests were initially scored. Has anyone seen any data or heard anything? Thanks! "

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

As previously submitted here, the PSSA/Keystone DATA was received by PA Districts and Schools in JULY as they have every year for the past ten years. However, the PA Department of Ed provides this data to Districts and often Districts challenge the results for a variety of reasons. Rarely, if ever, do the challenges, when checked out significantly change the outcomes. But, until this process exhausts itself, the PA Department of Ed does NOT publicly release the final results. PDE releases the final SPP score, along with each PA School's "Proficiency" score in Reading, Math, Science, Literature, Algebra and Biology. These scores will be online at PDE in late September.

PA schools have the PSSA data and are currently reviewing the results internally!

Leaked information expresses great concern on what is said to be another substantial decrease in scores!

Thus, scenarios that place blame on external forces are already in development INSTEAD of analyses of the "missing" pieces in internal curricula and instruction process/practice/programs.

Anonymous said...

Have the letters with student's scores been sent to parents yet?

Anonymous said...

12:45
What is the role of PDE in the analyses of the "missing" pieces in internal curricula and instruction process/practice/programs and providing them to the districts?
What is the role of the PDE in the disclosure of data to the public other than it's website?

Anonymous said...

The state approved new cut scores July 9th...

"On July 9, 2015, the State Board of Education raised the bar significantly higher for student achievement by approving new, more rigorous cut scores and performance level descriptors for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) in grades 3-8 for English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics.

The new scores are effective immediately and as applied to the 2015 round of testing recently completed, show large percentages of students reaching only basic and below basic achievement, especially in math. State Board members voiced concerns regarding the consequences, policy implications and public perceptions of student achievement surrounding the new scores, and passed an accompanying motion calling for the Department of Education (PDE) to “swiftly engage in deliberative communication with diverse stakeholders regarding the revised PSSA, the impact of more rigorous academic standards and the effect on revised cut scores and performance level descriptors.”

https://www.psba.org/2015/07/state-board-of-education-approves-new-pssa-cut-scores/

Anonymous said...

Scores have been loaded into the student accounts for SDP students. Was the original post asking if the specific cut scores have been released? I'd be curious to see those as well.

Anonymous said...

2:16 - PDE's "role" is to provide standards-aligned information and resources to every District in PA. Many districts take advantage of these resources. Those Districts who are able "opt out" of PDE assistance, as PPS has done for much of the past 10 years, unfortunately, experience the consequences. PPS opted out via political connections during the Roosevelt years when NONE of the other 30 LOWEST-ACHIEVING DISTRICTS in Pennsylvania were able to do so! The decline in achievement during that period is still manifesting the disconnect between SAS and PPS Curricula, Instruction and Assessment.

Pittsburgh Public Schools rejected the PDE DE Team that was assigned to PPS (at the expense of PDE) with absolutely no charge of any kind to the District. (This is well-documented,)

PDE, this year 2014-15), sent two Academic Recovery Officers into PPS to monitor the implementation of SIPs, School Improvement Plans, for PPS's 16 "failing" schools (Priority & Focus). (Perhaps a report on that progress can be made available---at least to Board Members. The SIPs were online at PPS for public review and comment prior to June 30th.

PDE offers extensive resources that are available to every school district at no cost; but, cannot FORCE districts to avail themselves of the resources.

Note: Verification of all of the above is available upon request by PPS Board and Central Office Administration.

Anonymous said...

2:40 - There was an online webinar last week that detailed (48 slides/charts/graphs, etc.) with narration and explanation regarding the information provided in your excerpted quotations! above.

Was this presented to Principals today at the Districts LEADERSHIP workshops?

Anonymous said...

Note: One very serious issue for Pittsburgh Public Schools is the egregious lack of knowledge, experience, expertise and credentials of the very bright, young, articulate, "under 30" EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS in key positions at Central Office . Curricula, Instruction, Assessment and Professional Development Executive Directors in a School District that is among the 30 lowest-achieving districts in PA's nearly 500 Districts must REQUIRE more than superficial familiarity with Academic Standards-Aligned Systems. The same is true of the Human Resource Director who establishes the criteria, reviews the applications, and interviews the candidates. In the final analysis the Superintendent and the Board of Directors are responsible for the selection and approval of top-level administrators who have not the qualifications to execute the high level of skill(s) needed to be successful in these positions! The students in a district ultimately pay the price for such!

Anonymous said...


Would someone inform our reporter friend of all the above information? There is a story here that needs to be told.

Anonymous said...


4:39

Why can't PDE mandate districts to avail themselves of the resources especially when the schools are failing in the basics?

Anonymous said...

In your opinion 12:45, what are the "missing" pieces in PPS curricula, processes/practices/programs? Do districts like North Allegheny, South Fayette, Pine Richland, etc. have these "missing" pieces? Does the assistance PDE provides impact the higher achieving districts differently than the lower achieving districts?

Anonymous said...

4:10

The new cut scores are in a chart at the bottom of the article on this website.

https://www.psba.org/2015/07/state-board-of-education-approves-new-pssa-cut-scores/

Anonymous said...

The story is old, 6:40, and part of the problem. Its time for solutions! It is time to take advantage of resources. PPS can solve its own problems without consultants, consultants, consultants (from every state but PA). The solutions are PA solutions. NA, South Fayette, Pine Richland USE the PDE resources available to them! They are NOT hiring consultants from Texas and/or here, there and everywhere!

Clearly, the named Districts are not using the PPS curricula, processes, practices and programs. Check it out. Certificated educators with knowledge of standards, depth of experience and acquired expertise do not have "missing pieces". They know how to monitor and adjust the “core standards” given their student populations. Consider, if you will, that a district like Peters Township sent nine of their top people to the PDE Standards-Aligned Systems Institute to learn any "missing pieces" so that their are no "gaps" in their practices/processes/programs. PPS sends no one---year after year.!

Yes, there is a story, but past history about "missing pieces" will not solve the problem; but it is clear what will need to happen to reverse the damage of the past “story”. For the sake of the PPS students, let's do it! Now!

Anonymous said...

6:51 - PDE has no authority to "mandate" that districts use the available, at no cost, resources. Legislation would have to be passed in order to "mandate" and that will not happen for obvious reasons.

The question to be asked is: "Why would an underachieving district NOT use the available resources that PDE provides?"

Anonymous said...

6:40 and 8:48 - The story while old, is a huge part of the problem----and It is not too late for solutions! It is time to take advantage of the PDE resources that are open, cost-free, and accessible. PPS can solve its own problems without highly paid consultants,, ad nauseum).

North Allegheny, South Fayette, Pine Richland take advantage of the PDE resources available to them! They are NOT hiring consultants from everywhere to do the work of Central Office.

Clearly, the PA Districts that you cite are not using the PPS curricula, processes, practices and programs! Each has certificated educators with the knowledge of PA Standards, depth of experience and acquired expertise and thus, few "missing pieces". They know how to monitor and adjust the “core standards” for their student populations. Consider, the FACT that a district like Peters Township sent nine of its top administrators to the PDE SAS Institute to learn any "missing pieces" close any "gaps" in their practices/processes/programs. PPS sends NO ONE to PA Institutes--year after year.!

It is clear what PPS will need to do to reverse the damage of the past history. For the sake of the PPS students, PPS, please take that action.

Anonymous said...

8:48
Understandable...and are there also "missing" pieces in the curriculum/instructional programs in Wilkinsburg, Sto-Rox, McKeesport and other low performing districts? Were they among the 30 lowest-achieving districts that took advantage of the resources offered by PDE? And to what avail? Where is the real help for PPS that was "on the map" as a model district for many years under the Wallace administration? Surely there are educators still around who lived and breathed during that great era!!

Anonymous said...

Districts that have good results don't have missing pieces. They pay attention to who expects what and take advantage of the research and resources. Districts that don't do that have low student achievement.

Anonymous said...

If Pittsburgh has opted out of standards-aligned systems as defined by Pennsylvania, PPS will continue to spend millions on consultants who take the money and run. Do you think maybe that is the hidden agenda for keeping urban kids uneducated?

Anonymous said...

Most districts hire competent central office administrators who know how to educate kids. If they didn't they wouldn't keep their positions very long! Ever wonder why that is not true in PPPS?

Anonymous said...

6:40 and 8:48 - PDE provides solutions to problems! It is time for PPS to take advantage of the PDE resources that are open, cost-free, and accessible. PPS can solve the problems without highly paid outside consultants.

North Allegheny, South Fayette, Pine Richland take advantage of the PDE resources available to them! They are NOT hiring consultants from everywhere to do the work of Central Office.

The local PA Districts that you cite are not using the PPS curricula/processes/ practices/programs! Also, they hire professional educators with knowledge, experience and acquired expertise. So they don’t have missing pieces. They know how to plan and provide updated development. Peters Township sent nine of its top administrators to the PDE SAS Institute to fill in learn any gaps. PPS sends NO ONE to PA Institutes in Harrisburg--year after year. (PaTTAN is not a substitute.)

PPS must now reverse the damage of the past history--- for the sake of the PPS students.

Questioner said...

Someone wondered why the above comment had not been posted... sometimes, the moderator is busy.

Anonymous said...


12:45-4:39-5:13-11:51-12:06-8:36-12:25-12:28-12:31-12:33-12:58: Make your case in a cohesive argument and in response to today's PG editorial piece,http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/08/04/Flunking-schools-Districts-fail-to-prepare-their-students-for-CCAC/stories/201508040036.

The story may be old for you but in my memory this is a first for the PG to flat out call PPS's performance a disgrace. Timing is everything and the timing is now for a opinion piece citing the evidence as you have powerfully and passionately done in the above threads. If you want a movement toward solutions rooted in Pittsburgh's own educators_____pave the way!

Anonymous said...

Just in case this was missed, that PG editorial also calls out the disgraceful performances of a few of the high achieving districts being tossed around in these threads,specifically South Fayette and North Allegheny - not to mention Fox Chapel, Mt. Lebanon, and Upper St. Clair. So according to the writer, "no matter how well those districts did overall" they failed a large portion of those students choosing to go to CCAC who now stand in serious need of remediation. So, given their student populations, are the high performing districts being carried by their high performing students and the resources and assistance being used by the certified educators to monitor and adjust are reaching the average or below average kids in their classrooms? If, all of a sudden, an entire cadre of students now have to make up for what they missed in their four years of high school, doesn't that bode the possibility of "missing pieces" and the need for "damage control" in other districts in our area?

Anonymous said...

Absolutely!, 8:26! But, that does NOT make me, just one person here, feel better about Pittsburgh Public Schools! My personal concern is for the children in my district, the MAJORITY of whom have the right to be EDUCATED in a manner that has absolutely nothing to do with what other districts do or don't do! WE, right here in PPS, KNOW ENOUGH and have RESOURCES ENOUGH to REACH EVERY SINGLE ONE of our PPS students, not just those who live in Squirrel Hill or Shadyside. If we know what the "missing pieces" are (and WE DO) it is our obligation, as responsible, professional educators and concerned citizens to provide the "missing pieces" for PPS.

Its not a competition with other districts! It is a responsibility, right here and right now, to educate all of OUR children---whatever it takes---NO EXCUSES! How we do that and what it will take is likely very, very different from what others can and will do---so forget them---it is NOT relevant to our course of action in PPS!

Anonymous said...

I know a lot of pps kids who went to CCAC for remediation and would like to hear from them what was different and helped them get what they missed in high school. Was it that they found their desire to do well or could learn better in a less distracting environment? I never thought to ask them.

Anonymous said...

Writing as both an instructor and "worker"-- adminsitering placement testings etc-- my opinion-- of course from a different perspective is that-- yes the environment is more focused, the students are more focused as they leave hs and learn about ther world and see dother focused stufdents but also the fasculty at community colleges are very adept and aware that for some students concepts need to be broken down, reviewed etc. Also, on any given day, my students who are there want to be there-- they arent just "attending": as some of my hs students were-- if their head is elsewheere- they dont come. And the most appreciative are the students who went to other colleges and return to the area in the summer-- to take that tough math, chem etc in a "more teaching, less lecturing" environment. When CCAC was started, the faculty really studied successful community college systems and that tradition has held for 50 years-- just one opinion

Anonymous said...

I hear you 12:19! There are enough resources right here in the district to take action and make a difference in successfully educating the students in Pittsburgh Public. No paid resources from consultants, not even free resources from Harrisburg, can match the crystal clear understanding about what Pittsburgh Public needs more than those who work (and have worked)day in and day out with thousands of young people in those school buildings! Let's tap into their insights and strategies as a way of increasing the productive and meaningful education of all students in Pittsburgh Public Schools!!

Anonymous said...

Amen and THANK YOU, 9:03!!! Finally, another someone who KNOWS it can be done, KNOWS how to do it and KNOWS that there are basic "insights and strategies" that will SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGE students in a meaningful and productive education!!

Anonymous said...

We have educational resources for our students. What we don't have are the mental health resources that our students and families need. We don't have the parental support that both students and staff need for our kids. We don't have students coming to school knowing that school is important and necessary! Students don't come to school because it's their birthday, they don't come to school because they slept in or didn't feel like coming that day. Sometimes, school isn't fun or interesting, but then neither is everyday living. Kids become bored and then act out and have free reign to leave class because they have a mental problem or need a cool down. Give me a break!!!How many employers are going to allow their employees to leave when they flip out....they are going to say "Good Bye" PPS students can succeed if they are given the correct tools to be successful....the students need to be willing to pick up the tools and use them...

Questioner said...

Put it this way, what if a teacher didn't come in because it was their birthday, or they slept in, etc? Students need to get a sense for what is going to be required in the real world, even if the environment is not completely to their liking.

Anonymous said...

So, if the parents and families have "mental" problems and all sorts of other bad behaviors, the children don't have a chance because the schools don't want them, have no alternatives to provide, and certainly do not believe that they can educate anyone with perceived 'problems'. If schools have no way to educate children who have little else, then they are useless. So, so sad that so many (not all, thankfully) feel that way, post it, and are supported for such feelings and statements!!!

Questioner said...

The commentator simply said that additional resources are needed; certainly teachers will do the best with what they have, but they also have an obligation to speak out when they are lacking resources to enable students to do their best. Especially when resources are being misallocated.

Anonymous said...

What evidence do you have that resources are "misallocated"? Pittsburgh has more "resources" than any district in the state!

Pittsburgh Human Resource personnel are unable to connect talent, expertise, experience, commitment, and quality with the multitude of resource personnel hired to accomplish specific goals. Pittsburgh is the place where the young, the inexperienced, somebody's friend/relative, and all manner of other unqualified folks come to PRACTICE skills for which they have no background or training! PPS is a great place to find a job, play around at it, and then move on claiming skills that never developed. It happens over and over and over and over=============!

Pittsburgh gets more money than any district in the state. Pittsburgh's agenda is not children as strange as that may sound. The academic results are SCREAMING out that PPS is an ever-failing district in recent years--in every way except for the young adults who come and go through HR.

Anonymous said...

Thirty two comments in this posting thus far and nothing is crystal clear about the " missing " pieces, insights and strategies, what is considered productive and meaningful for one and not for another, resources and no resources, needing and not needing and on and on and by the end of this comment we are no closer to implementing a plan of action toward a SOLUTION.

CCAC apparently is successfully remediating our students without talking about it. They are doing it. Amen.

Questioner said...

No the idea is that resources that go to PPS are misallocated by the district- spent on consultants, an ever changing stream of new and unproven programs, changing things and then putting them back how they were, etc.

Anonymous said...


No the idea here is that if one were to put a Teacher and a student in a room together with one pencil and one sheet of paper for any length of time teaching and learning will happen beautifully, fluidly and wanting for more. We have lost our way with all the 'stuff' of strategies and resources and everything else that clutters our minds and keeps us from the simplicity of teaching a child.

Questioner said...

And a teacher w/ 30 students? Or 35 students?

Does this teaching happen regardless of whether or not state and federal mandates, testing, etc are in place?

Anonymous said...

What are the state and federal mandates that are blocking teaching? One test in the two or four main skill areas near the end of the school year is the only thing mandated and that was needed to ensure any accountability. Without it schools would not be responsible for preparing students for anything!

Questioner said...

Standardized testing (including the issue of whether everything that is taught can be accurately tested and measured) is a different issue.

Anonymous said...

In response to a few comments, the first being, there is a story to be told, but after years of reading the blog and posts, I have yet to read any public story about what is happening in the real PPS. It seems as if any investigative reporter who wants to really break a good story in Pittsburgh would find a way to jump on this trail of facts, rumors, complaints, data, etc believing full well that at least half of the blog reports have some merit. Secondly, having significant first hand knowledge, I can attest to at least half of the things written among the pages and pages, through the years are true and disturbing. The district is a mess. At the helm of the mess is the superintendent and those that work under her. The impact of her leadership and decisions will be seen in years to come and the damage will be irreparable. The lack of leadership brushes against just about every issue brought to light in this blog and the pages prior. The superintendent is a racist, but believes that because she is AA that she cannot be one - what she fails to consider is that racism can be on both sides and can occur if one has the position of power and authority. She is driving white people out by the droves and no one says a thing about it. She promotes and hires other AA regardless of qualifications, education and expertise. Institutionalized racism, in either direction is bad but clearly, she has carved a new one way street. As a result, even AA employees say, "they only got the job because they were AA" which devalues all of the deserving well-qualified AA employees and which will create a culture and climate in PPS for years to come that will be damaging and alarming. The new ineptness is worse than the old predominately white cultured CO that also has destroyed PPS. Both extremes will prove fatal. And sadly bloggers, as you have cried before for someone to do something, nothing will be done. Just look through the pages and ask yourselves what solutions have transpired as a result of your words? If you are a parent, the very best thing that you can do, if you care about your child's education, is to find a way to move out of the district. Stop blogging, stop complaining, and just get your kids into another district. Spend your time and energies doing that, not this! If you are a teacher or an administrator you are pretty much tied in to PPS, teachers more so than administrators. As they say, when you get to the end of your rope tie a knot and hold on. The road ahead will be the bumpiest in PPS history, but you are resilient, as you prove to be every day you stand in front of students.

Anonymous said...

11:17, paragraph breaks are your friend.

Anonymous said...

To your point 11:17 there are indeed those among us who are advocates for the underserved with the journalistic skills and facts that bare witness to the PPS failure to educate our children over the last decade but will not raise their voice in an Op-ed for fear that they will be blackballed by the very community for which they advocate.

Anonymous said...

sorry - 'bear witness'

Anonymous said...

11:17, I agree with your observations. What complicates things and ratchets everything up is that people will buy homes in good school districts which leaves a poor underclass with no hope of smoothing out the average.
Also, we city residents will be taxed and taxed and taxed. It seems that all we can blame it on is "if we just had more and more and more money", everything else is supposed to stay unspoken.
This is not looking good Pittsburgh.