DUQUESNE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

2012-2013 TESTING AND ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

The Duquesne City School District uses formative, benchmark, diagnostic and summative testing instruments to measure student achievement.  

In Pennsylvania we define formative assessment as classroom based assessments that allow teachers to monitor and adjust their instructional practice in order to meet the individual needs of their students. Formative assessment can consist of formal instruments or informal observations. 

Benchmark assessments are designed to provide feedback to both the teacher and the student about how the student is progressing towards demonstrating proficiency on grade level standards.  We use the 4Sight assessments for this purpose. 

Diagnostic assessments are given to determine each student’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, and skills. Establishing these permits the teacher to remediate students and adjust the curriculum to meet pupils’ unique needs.  Assessments such as DIBELS and GMADE are administered in Reading and Math for this purpose. 

The summative assessment administrated by DCSD is the Pennsylvania System of Student Assessment (PSSA).  They occur near the end of a school level, grade, or course, or are administered at certain grades for purposes of state or local accountability. They are designed to produce clear data on the student’s accomplishments at key points in his or her academic career. Scores on these assessments usually become part of the student’s permanent record   The PSSA’s assess students in reading, math, writing, and science.