PA State Standards     Saint Clair Area School District and the Pennsylvania Academic Standards The Pennsylvania Academic Standards and Chapter 4 Regulations of the School Code delineates requirements for instruction, strategic planning, assessment and graduation at the local level based on academic standards.  Chapter 4 must be implemented no later than September 30, 2003.  The standards are what students should know and be able to do at specific grade levels.  The Pennsylvania Academic Standards have been or will be developed for every subject area and adopted by the State Board of Education.  All of the Academic Standards are developed by educators, parents, community members, and business leaders from across Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a state assessment system that provides information about student, school, and district performance in reading, writing, and mathematics. The PSSA is ... aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. provides students, families, educators, and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance. assesses students in reading and math in grades 5, 8, and 11. assesses students in writing in grades 6, 9, and 11. does not assess students in primary grades; therefore students will be assessed by the local school district. reports scores as performance levels:   advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic. All students must achieve proficient or advanced levels on the PSSA or local assessments which are aligned with the academic standards. The academic standards needed for your child provide a solid foundation needed by students to master academic content, skills, and processes for lifelong personal and professional growth. Academic Standards: set high expectations that are more likely to yield high results for all students. set clear targets for every student and every teacher, enabling teachers to improve instruction for all students. enable families and communities to understand and be more involved with the educational process from kindergarten through twelfth grade. provide the framework for academic progress to be monitored regularly. Standards-based education, a national and international movement, enables students to meet their futures as educated citizens and competent workers. Saint Clair Area School District is...  developing a school assistance plan, a district assessment plan, and a strategic plan to enable the students of the district to effectively succeed in achieving the academic standards and demonstrate their knowledge of the standards. monitoring student progress toward proficiency of the academic standards and providing additional learning opportunities as needed. designing planned instruction and assessment based on the standards. providing the public access to information about the curriculum, including the academic standards to be achieved, instructional materials and assessment techniques. creating a professional development plan to ensure that all staff members are prepared for the transition to standards-based education. The State is... assessing student proficiency in math, reading, and writing. preparing comprehensive school profiles to monitor local achievement. updating the standards every three years. providing technical assistance to PA educators and families. Parents can help by... encouraging their children to read, write, and use mathematics every day. helping their children learn from classroom assignments and assessments. working with teachers to know what is going on in their children's classroom. helping their children to develop confidence in taking assessments. attending family training sessions and/or meetings using resources available through the St. Clair Area School District, the Schuylkill County IU #29, and the Department of Education. helping their children balance academics and extra-curricular activities. The Standards and Children with Disabilities... will be addressed in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), based on provisions in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 97).  IEP goals and objectives must maximize the student's involvement in the general education curriculum and school setting.  IEP teams will document the assessment decisions in the IEP.  All students, including those with disabilities, are required to participate in the PSSA either without accommodations, or with allowable accommodations or by taking the state alternative assessment.  Students who meet the proficiency or advanced levels on the PSSA will be eligible to receive a Pennsylvania Seal of Proficiency or Distinction on their diploma. Parents have the right to... review curricula, standards, instructional materials, and assessments. excuse their children from taking the PSSA if it conflicts with religious beliefs. be represented on the district's strategic planning committee. excuse their children from research studies conducted by outside agencies. know what assessments their child will be taking and when they will be given. know what additional instructional opportunities are available to their children.         Available Resources A Family Connections Resource Kit is available to parents to provide information on how they can help their children attain proficiency in Pennsylvania's Academic Standards.  Copies of the Chapter 4 regulations and the academic standards are available from the Department of Education and the Intermediate Units. For more information visit these web sites: www.pastatestandards.org www.pde.psu.edu    www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/hyc.html www.kidsource.com www.accesseric.org www.familyeducation.com This information was obtained from the Pennsylvania Academic Standards:  A Guide for Families by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units. Other sites to visit:  Terra Nova Achievement Test Results