These tests provide an assessment of each student’s academic progress in comparison with national and local norms. Results aid the students’ teachers and counselors in identifying individual needs in order to provide effective individualized instruction. Some tests also provide information on how the school district as a whole is doing. During the school year, the following tests will be administered in the CLSD as part of this program:

  • Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and National Merit Qualifying Test – Measure aptitude for college work and used to apply for National Merit Scholarships (grades 10-11).
  • American College Testing Program (ACT) – Measures abilities generally considered important in college work. Many colleges require one of these tests: ACT or SAT.
  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – Registration materials available. Testing sites are offered in local districts.
  • PLAN Test – Interest inventory and achievement test (grade 10, voluntary).
  • PA System of School Assessment* (PSSA) – Developed by the PA Department of Education. Designed to provide school districts with information about the knowledge and skills of students in math and reading in grades, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; in science in grades 4 and 8; and in writing in grades 5 and 8.
  • Keystone Exams* – One component of Pennsylvania’s new system of high school graduation requirements, these end-of-course assessments are designed to assess students’ proficiency toward meeting state standards in algebra I, literature, English composition, and biology.
  • Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) – Measures verbal and mathematical skills and provides indicators of student interests and aptitudes (interested students in grades 10, 11, and 12).
  • Cognitive Abilities Test (Cog-AT) – Administered in 2nd grade, the assessment measures reasoning and problem –solving skills to aid in consideration for enrichment or gifted program decision making.
  • Edmentum – Administered to students K-12, this individualized testing program is divided by content areas. It is designed to provide diagnostic and achievement information to guide instruction in order to  support intervention and enrichment.

*The Pennsylvania Department of Education (“PDE”) will destroy or have destroyed all test booklets for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (“PSSA”) and Keystone Exams, one year from the date on which student results are delivered. PDE will also destroy or have destroyed all answer booklets for the PSSA and Keystone Exams and all media recordings for the PASA three years from the date on which the assessment is completed.