Allegheny Valley School District

District Assessment

Assessing student learning documents knowledge and skills that students gain over a specific period of time using measurable standards and benchmarks. The Allegheny Valley School District staff utilizes summative, formative, benchmark, and diagnostic tests to measure student growth.

Administrators and teachers consider results from Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) tests, STAR Reading, Early Literacy and Math, DIBELS Next, PVAAS data, and locally created formative and summative assessments when considering the student program. District staff also considers information from two state-mandated assessments, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and the Keystone Exams, for student progress analysis and during curriculum review.

Keystone Exams

The Pennsylvania Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Beginning with the class of 2017, students must demonstrate proficiency in the Algebra 1, Biology, and Literature Keystone Exams as a Pennsylvania requirement for graduation. If this requirement is not met, there are additional pathways to graduation. Pathways to Graduation

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment

According to the Department of Education, the PSSA test “measures how well students have achieved in reading, mathematics, science and writing according to Pennsylvania’s world-class academic standards.” Reading and mathematics components of the PSSA are administered to students in Grades 3 through 8. In addition, the state assesses students (Grades 4 and 8) in science. All scores fall into four categories: Advanced, Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic.

AVSD Information Series: Testing

2025-2026 Comprehensive Assessment Calendar

State Testing Schedule:

2025-2026 SY AVSD Assessment Calendar

Testing Window	Assessment	Grades	Subject	Note	Description/Purpose
Aug 25 - Oct 17, 2025	Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT	7-HS	ELA, Math & Science*	Administer FULL CDT *Science Grades 5, 8 and Biology	Diagnostic information to assist educators in identifying students’ academic strengths and areas of need. Provide links to classroom resources via integration with PDE SAS and expose students to the same content assessed on the PSSA and Keystone Exams.
Sept 30 - Oct 17, 2025	Acadience	K-6	Math and Reading	Benchmark Assessment #1	For early literacy, reading, and math skills to be aligned with national norms and Common Core State Standards.
Sept 30 - Oct 17, 2025	STAR	K-2	Math, Early Literacy, and Reading	Benchmark Assessment #1	STAR Reading and Math scaled scores predict Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) performance.
Dec 9-19, 2025	Winter Keystone Retakes	7-11	Algebra, Biology, English 10	Re-testers and other qualifying students	State graduation requirement and measures proficiency on end-of-course standards
Dec 15 - 19, 2025	Act 35 Civics	12	Civics Knowledge	End of Semester	Assesses knowledge, skills, and actions as required by PDE.
Dec 15, 2025 - Jan 31, 2026	Firefly Benchmark	3-10	Math, Science, and ELA	Mid-Year Benchmark	Benchmark assessment designed to align with state standards and measure students' knowledge and skills against grade-level learning goals. Predicts PSSA and Keystone performance.
Dec 15, 2025 - Jan 31, 2026	CDT	8-12	Biology, Literature, Algebra I	Mid Year	Diagnostic information to assist educators in identifying students’ academic strengths and areas of need. Provide links to classroom resources via integration with PDE SAS and expose students to the same content assessed on the PSSA and Keystone Exams.
Jan 5-15, 2026	STAR	K-2	Matt,, Early Literacy, and Reading	Benchmark Assessment #2	STAR Reading and Math scaled scores predict Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) performance.
Jan 5-15, 2025	Acadience	K-6	Math and Reading	Benchmark Assessment #2	STAR Reading and Math scaled scores predict Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) performance.

Testing Window	Assessment	Grades	Subject	Note	Description/Purpose
Aprl 13- May 29, 2026	CDT	7-High School	Math, Literature, Biology	Administer FULL CDT *Science Grades 5, 8, and Biology	Diagnostic information to assist educators in identifying students’ academic strengths and areas of need. Provide links to classroom resources via integration with PDE SAS and exposes students to the same content assessed on the PSSA and Keystone Exams.
April 21-24, 2026	PSSA	3-8	ELA		Summative State Assessment
April 27-28, 2026	PSSA	3-8	Math		Summative State Assessment
April 30- May 1, 2026	PSSA	5 and 8	Science		Summative State Assessment
May 4-8, 2026	PSSA Make Ups	3-8	Reading, Math, and Science		Summative State Assessment
May 11 - 23, 2026	Keystone Exams	7-10	Algebra, Biology, English 10		Summative State Assessment
May 11 - 22, 2026	Act 35 Civics	12	Civics Knowledge	End of Semester	Assesses knowledge, skills, and actions as required by PDE
May 11 - 22, 2026	Acadience	K-6	Math and Reading	Benchmark #3	STAR Reading and Math scaled scores predict Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) performance.
May 11-22, 2025	STAR	K-2	Math (K-4) , Early Literacy, and Reading	Benchmark #3	STAR Reading and Math scaled scores predict Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) performance.
May 11-22, 2025	Firefly Benchmark	5-8	ELA, Math, and Science	End of Year Benchmark	Benchmark assessment designed to align with state standards and measure students' knowledge and skills against grade-level learning goals. Predicts PSSA/Keystone performance.