NOTICES

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Approval of PSSA-M Performance Level Descriptors and Performance Level Cut Scores

[41 Pa.B. 3319]
[Saturday, June 25, 2011]

 At a special public meeting held May 26, 2011, the State Board of Education (Board) approved new Pennsylvania System of School Assessment-Modified (PSSA-M) performance level descriptors and performance level cut scores for the PSSA-M in reading and science in certain grades recommended to the Board by the Department of Education (Department). The approved performance level descriptors and PSSA-M performance level cut scores are based upon the recommendations of teachers and administrative staff who participated in a workshop facilitated by the Department's assessment contractor.

 The performance level descriptors and performance level cut scores in grades 8 and 11 for science and grades 4 through 8 and grade 11 for reading were established for the first time as 2011 was the first year in which the PSSA-M reading and science assessments were administered.

 The Board's action was taken under general authority granted to it by the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. §§ 1-101—27-2702) and in accordance with specific pro- visions of the Board's regulations codified in 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 (relating to academic standards and assessment). The approved PSSA-M performance level cut scores are described in the Appendix to this notice. The approved performance level descriptors are available for review on the Department's web site at www. education.state.pa.us.

Development and Approval of Descriptors and Scores

 As part of the State assessment system established by the regulations, the Board delegated to the Department the very important task of developing specific criteria for each of the performance levels prescribed by 55 Pa. Code § 4.51 (b)(4) (relating to State assessment system)—advanced, proficient, basic and below basic. Specifically, the Department is directed by 22 Pa. Code § 4.51 to ''consult with educators, students, parents and citizens,'' and then to ''develop and recommend to the Board for its approval specific criteria for'' each performance level.

 As reported to the Board at its May 26, 2011, meeting, the Department met with educators from across this Commonwealth to assist the Department in developing the performance level descriptors and scores. Based on these efforts as described in detail for the Board at its meeting, the Department recommended the performance level descriptors and scores that the Board ultimately adopted at its May 26, 2011, meeting. Before adopting the performance level descriptors and scores on May 26, 2011, the Board provided members of the public in attendance with the opportunity to comment on the Department's recommendation. Before adopting the performance level descriptors and scores on May 26, 2011, the Board also received a detailed presentation on the process used to develop the cut scores at its regular public meeting held on May 18, 2011. The Board provided members of the public in attendance with the opportunity to comment on the process used to develop the cut scores.

 The approved performance levels (as listed in the Appendix) will be applied to the 2011 PSSA-M test scores, which will be publicly released in September 2011. The Performance Level Descriptors, due to their length, are not included here but may be accessed on the Department's web site at www.education.state.pa.us. The Department and the Board will review the descriptors and scores periodically based on actual experience in using them and consider revisions as appropriate, using the same process prescribed by 22 Pa. Code § 4.51(b)(4).

 Persons with questions or who need additional information regarding the Board's approval of these performance level descriptors and performance level cut scores may contact Karen Molchanow, Acting Executive Director, State Board of Education, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333, (717) 787-3787 or TDD (717) 787-7367. Persons with questions or needing additional information regarding the development and implementation of them should contact John Weiss, Director, Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333, (717) 787-4234 or TDD (717) 787-7367.

KAREN MOLCHANOW, 
Acting Executive Director

Appendix

 PSSA-M Performance Level Cut Scores, as approved by the Board, are as follows:

Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 4

	Reading
Advanced-M	1363 and up
Proficient-M	1275-1362
Basic-M	1150-1274
Below Basic-M	1075-1149

Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 5

	Reading
Advanced-M	1391 and up
Proficient-M	1275-1390
Basic-M	1150-1274
Below Basic-M	1075-1149

Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 6

	Reading
Advanced-M	1381 and up
Proficient-M	1275-1380
Basic-M	1150-1274
Below Basic-M	1075-1149

Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 7

	Reading
Advanced-M	1385 and up
Proficient-M	1275-1384
Basic-M	1150-1274
Below Basic-M	1075-1149

Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 8

	Reading	Science
Advanced-M	1399 and up	1419 and up
Proficient-M	1275-1398	1275-1418
Basic-M	1150-1274	1150-1274
Below Basic-M	1050-1149	1050-1149

Performance Level Cut Scores
Grade 11

	Reading	Science
Advanced-M	1433 and up	1401 and up
Proficient-M	1275-1432	1275-1400
Basic-M	1150-1274	1150-1274
Below Basic-M	1000-1149	1100-1149

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-1085. Filed for public inspection June 24, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]

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