Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA)

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Pennsylvania to ensure that the total number of students assessed in each subject using the PASA does not exceed one percent of the total number of all students in the state assessed on the statewide assessments. Each local educational agency (LEA) must complete and submit the PASA 1.0 Percent Participation Threshold Justification to BSE if it anticipates that more than 1.0 % of its students enrolled in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed using the PASA. A list of LEAs who anticipate exceeding the threshold will be made publicly available on the PDE website, in accordance with 34 CFR 200.6 (c)(3) regulations. LEAs must also make the document publicly available upon request, removing any personally identifiable information. Erie's Public Schools anticipates exceeding the 1.0 percent threshold for PASA participation for the 2020-21testing cycle. The necessary justification information has been submitted to the Bureau of Special Education. Questions regarding district participation rates should be directed to Dr. Angela Kownacki at EPSSpEd@eriesd.org

Dear Parent or Guardian:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education  is excited to inform you that we have adopted the Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) assessment to use for our alternate assessment. The DLM assessment provides a shared set of standards that are used to measure academic achievement for students who are eligible for the alternate assessment. Throughout this school year in the Erie School District -your student will be provided academic instruction in English language arts, mathematics, and science using the Pennsylvania State standards.  

In the spring, during our state’s assessment window, your student will take testlets. These testlets will be in English language arts, mathematics, and science. Each testlet includes questions from one or more of the standards that your student’s teacher used for instruction during the school year. The spring window for our state is March 8^th to May 7^th, 2021.   

During the spring assessment window, the number of testlets and the approximate length of time for testing may vary depending on the content, the grade level, and each student’s individual needs. The materials used in the testlets can adapt to your student’s needs. The testlets must be completed during our state’s testing window, but your student may take the testlets over a period of several days during that window if needed.

We anticipate that testing time will be as follows:

Your student’s results are completely confidential (in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-346). Scores from the testlets will be used in accordance with Erie School District policies.

If you would like additional information about the Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment, please visit http://dynamiclearningmaps.org/. If you have questions, please contact me at 814 874-6050 or via EPSSpEd@eriesd.org

We are excited that our district will take part in the Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment this year, and we are very pleased that your student will be participating.

Sincerely,

Angela Kownacki

Pupil Services Director

Erie's Public Schools