Determining Root Cause to Plan for Improvements for Student Growth
DIGGING DEEPER into Content Areas: English Language Arts (ELA) K-2 3-5 6-8 Keystone Literature (PDF)– This guide is a series of questions designed to help both administrators and teachers discuss and reflect on curriculum, instruction, assessment, and organization. Accompanying resources can be found on the Root Cause & Digging Deeper page of PDE’s website.
Preparing Technology and Devices for PSSAs and Keystone Exams
Online Quick Start Guide (PDF)– The online quick start guide provides a high-level overview of launching and preparing for online testing.
DRC's Pennsylvania State Assessments Page – DRC’s Pennsylvania State Assessment page provides online testing administration training for before, during, and after testing, including video tutorials for set-up and preparation.
Technology User Guides (TUG) – User guides for technology setup are available on the DRC Insight page by choosing General Information>Documents and choosing “Technology” in the drop-down box.
Preparing Students for the PSSA and Keystone Test Platform and Item Types
Online Tools Training and Tutorials – The online tools training gives students the opportunity to practice with the online tools, accommodations, and test platform before test day. The tutorials are brief videos that train students to use the tools and test platform features. Both should be utilized before PSSA and Keystone testing. Training and tutorials are also available for CDT and Firefly.
PSSA Item Samplers and Keystone Item Samplers – Item Samplers can be found on the PDE PSSA and Keystone websites under “Resource Materials.” Item samplers include samples of questions from the PSSA or Keystone test, including passage-based questions and open-ended questions. They include samples of student responses for open-ended items and rationales for scoring. Item Samplers from 2025 and later will be available in the online test platform and will include technology-enhanced questions as well. These item samplers will still include PDFs with samples of student responses and rationales.
Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) – The CDT is a diagnostic assessment that is part of Pennsylvania’s assessment system. The assessment provides diagnostic information to help teachers make decisions about classroom intervention and enrichment. In addition to helping teachers make instructional and content decisions, it also gives students another opportunity to engage with the online test platform before the PSSA or Keystone exam.
Firefly Student Performance Indicators – The Firefly is a benchmark assessment that reflects and measures the same knowledge and skills assessed on the PSSA and Keystone exams. Firefly student reports include predictions of end-of-year or end-of-course performance. Firefly results will also link to related instructional strategies.
SAS Assessment Builder – The Assessment Builder allows educators to search for assessment questions by subject, grade level, and standard, and create classroom assessments, which include reading passages and answer keys. Teachers can also upload their own questions to include on the assessment. It can be accessed by logging in to SAS and selecting Assessment > Assessment Center > Build an Assessment.
Managing Changes in Student Population
2026 Accommodations Guidelines for PSSA and Keystone Exams (PDF) – This manual provides information and resources for available testing accommodations. An accompanying webinar - 2026 Guidelines for Selection and Use of Accommodations on State Assessments - is also available.
Accommodations for English Learners – This manual can be found under Testing>Accommodations. This resource provides information on available testing accommodations for English Learners.
English Learner Portal - SAS – Resources in the English Learner Portal include support materials, a translation library, technical assistance resources, and professional learning opportunities, including office hours and training.
Pennsylvania School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction Toolkit – This toolkit is designed to provide resources and strategies for educators and other professionals to address truancy in their district and community. These resources can be accessed PDE's Climate and Well-Being Resources and Toolkits page by scrolling to “Toolkits” and “Pennsylvania School Attendance Improvement and Truancy Reduction Toolkit.”
Supporting Student Performance in ELA
Pennsylvania Learns: English Language Arts - SAS – Created by Pennsylvania educators, Pennsylvania Learns Online is a collection of PK-12 modules in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Aligned to PA Academic Standards, these modules comprise a series of mini-lessons that engage learners through interaction with online resources to meet lesson objectives.
PA Roadmap: Focus on Effective Instruction - SAS – Educators know that some students require support to address unfinished learning from prior grades. Since time is a scarce commodity in classrooms, strategic instructional choices about which content to prioritize must occur.
The Pennsylvania State Literacy Plan (PaSLP) – The Pennsylvania State Literacy Plan was written to provide guidance to stakeholders about their roles in developing an integrated, aligned, and comprehensive set of literacy experiences for children (birth—grade 12). Administrators and educators will find specific information about developing, implementing, and evaluating an evidence-based school literacy program.
Learning Progressions - SAS – A learning progression is a road or pathway that students travel as they progress toward mastery of the skills needed for career and college readiness. Learning progressions provide teachers with the opportunity to determine whether students have navigated successfully through the mileposts and are able to move forward along the road to career and college readiness. The progressions further provide teachers with the opportunity to identify students who have navigated successfully beyond the mileposts for each course and need accelerated curriculum.
Download Standards: PA Early Childhood Education Standards - SAS – The Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood are a critical piece for assisting teachers in designing classrooms that meet the developmental needs of children to help them succeed in school. In conjunction with the curriculum, a second equally important piece in an early childhood classroom is conducting ongoing assessments of children.
Early Learning: Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 OCDEL - SAS – The Curriculum Framework specifies what is to be taught for each subject. In Pennsylvania, Curriculum Frameworks include Big Ideas, Concepts, Competencies, and Essential Questions aligned to Standards. All of these components can be found within the Learning Standards for Early Childhood.
Early Learning: Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 OCDEL - SAS – Instruction should focus on active engagement and meaningful learning experiences. Children should have ample opportunities to be involved in whole-group and small-group instruction, learning centers, and activities that extend and deepen inquiry through deeper exploration of concepts. Many key components make up instruction in an Early Care and Education classroom.
Download Standards: PA Core Standards - SAS – The academic standards are benchmark measures that define what students should know and be able to do at various grade levels. The standards are promulgated as state regulations. As such, they must be used as the basis for curriculum and instruction in Pennsylvania's public schools.
TDA Toolkit – The Text-Dependent Analysis Toolkit can be found in SAS or Center for Assessment's TDA Toolkit page. The toolkit includes narrative text analysis lesson plans and replacement units; informational text analysis lesson plans; annotated student response samples with next-step lessons; and professional development video modules for teaching analysis.
Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) – The CDT is a diagnostic assessment that is part of Pennsylvania’s assessment system. The assessment provides diagnostic information to help teachers make decisions about classroom intervention and enrichment. In addition to helping teachers make instructional and content decisions, it also gives students another opportunity to engage with the online test platform before the PSSA or Keystone exam.
Firefly Student Performance Indicators – The Firefly is a benchmark assessment that reflects and measures the same knowledge and skills assessed on the PSSA and Keystone exams. Firefly student reports include predictions of end-of-year or end-of-course performance. Firefly results will also link to related instructional strategies.
SAS Assessment Builder – The Assessment Builder allows educators to search for assessment questions by subject, grade level, and standard, and create classroom assessments, which include reading passages and answer keys. Teachers can also upload their own questions to include on the assessment. It can be accessed by logging in to SAS and selecting Assessment > Assessment Center > Build an Assessment.