Purpose

The Board recognizes its responsibility to develop and implement an assessment system that will determine the degree to which students are achieving academic standards and provide information for improving the educational program.

Authority

The Board shall approve an assessment system for use in district schools to assess individual attainment of state and local academic standards, and to identify those students not attaining academic standards and provide assistance. The Board shall approve an assessment system at least once every six (6) years, which shall be implemented no later than one (1) year after the approval date.[1][2][3][4]

The Board reserves the right to review district assessment measures and to approve those that serve a legitimate purpose without infringing upon the personal rights of the students or parents/guardians.[3][5]

The Board directs the Superintendent or designee to grant requests to review state assessments from parents/guardians to determine whether the state assessments conflict with the parents’/guardians’ religious beliefs. Parent/Guardian requests shall be submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to the administration of state assessments. The district shall ensure the security of the assessment documents.[6]

If, upon inspection of a state assessment, a parent/guardian finds the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs, the parent/guardian shall have the right to have their child excused from that state assessment, upon written request to the Superintendent stating the objection.[6]

Delegation of Responsibility

The Superintendent or designee shall recommend various methods of assessment and evaluation based on his/her professional judgment, generally accepted professional practice, staff input and state regulations.[1][2][3]

The Superintendent or designee shall provide summary information to the public regarding student achievement, including results of assessments, in accordance with federal and state law and regulations.[3]

The Superintendent or designee shall provide information regarding the achievement of academic standards to the PA Department of Education when requested; such information shall not include student names, identification numbers or individually identifiable information.[3]

The Superintendent or designee shall recommend improvements in the educational program, curriculum and instructional practices based upon student assessment results.[3]

Guidelines

Parents/Guardians shall receive information regarding their child’s state assessment scores and may obtain an explanation of assessment results from qualified school personnel.[7][8][9]

The district shall provide assistance to students not attaining academic standards at the proficient level. The district shall inform students and parents/guardians about how to access such assistance.[3][5]

Students with disabilities and students participating in ESL/Bilingual Education programs shall participate in assessments, with appropriate accommodations when necessary.[2][10][11][8]