The results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) for English/Language Arts, Mathematics and Science were mailed in a sealed envelope to all Mars Area School District students currently in Grades 4-9 on Thursday, Feb. 17.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has just released the results of the PSSAs, which students completed in April 2021. The PSSAs for English/Language Arts and Mathematics were administered to all students in Grades 3-8 and the PSSA for Science to students in Grades 4 and 8.

Although the assessments themselves have not changed, we cannot overlook factors related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. PDE advises necessitated caution in the interpretation and use of the results.

Because of a range of factors that may have adversely impacted students’ learning and participation during the 2020-2021 School Year, parent/guardians are discouraged from comparing performance results on the assessments. Additionally, PDE will not be producing aggregate state score reports for the 2021 summative assessments.

More information about the PSSA assessment is available on the PDE website, www.education.pa.gov.