Philly Leader

With the backing of school superintendents, Pennsylvania Representatives Eric Nelson and Martina White have proposed legislation to replace the current Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) testing with benchmark testing technology. The PSSA tests, initiated in 1992, assess students from grades three through eight annually in various subjects but are criticized for consuming significant instructional time and providing delayed results.

Nelson stated, "The current process is flawed. PSSA tests rob schools of up to three weeks of instruction time and it takes months before results are returned. The Commonwealth deserves a better system." He emphasized that benchmark testing offers real-time results and is more cost-effective.

Currently, the annual PSSA testing costs taxpayers nearly $50 million. In contrast, many schools already employ benchmark assessments due to their timely feedback capabilities. These assessments allow for continuous tracking of student performance and aid in educational planning.

White highlighted the benefits of the proposed system: "Benchmark testing technology is superior because it provides an objective, standardized, and nationally recognized way to evaluate and compare student performance."

The bill introduced by Nelson and White mandates at least three benchmark assessments per academic year. It aims to provide public access to aggregate data on school performance.

School leaders support this shift. Dr. Gennaro Piraino from Franklin Regional School District criticized the current system as outdated and ineffective. He said it fails to measure essential skills needed for success today. Similarly, Dr. Kenneth A. Bissell from Greensburg Salem School District advocated for a solution that holds schools accountable while aiding individualized instruction.

Dr. Tammy S. Wolicki from Hempfield Area School District remarked on the advantages of benchmark assessments over traditional methods: "Benchmark assessments provide a means of measuring growth over time, rather than a single snapshot of a student's achievement."

Nelson collaborated with school superintendents during his research for this legislative change, reflecting broad support for replacing PSSA with more dynamic assessment tools.