Assessments
Southern York County School District realizes the importance of using assessments to determine student progress. In order to provide students with the necessary instruction, we utilize different types of assessments to determine their needs and progress. The assessments given to students allow teachers to make necessary decisions on daily instruction, provide intervention and enrichment opportunities and understand the needs of each student in the classroom both academically and social emotionally.
This page shares the types of assessments we use in Southern York County School District to ensure our students achieve success! While we feel that data gained from assessments is a valuable part to our instruction and curriculum, we also realize there has to be a balance between time taken on assessments and daily classroom instruction.
Elementary Assessments
CDT English & Science:
Classroom Diagnostic Tools- ELA & Science The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools are a set of online assessments for Science. It is designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction and support teachers with providing intervention and enrichment for students. The CDT is a computer adaptive test that provides questions to students based upon how students respond to testing items. The questions will adjust based upon the student's instructional level. The test is comprised of approximately 48-60 items and is an untimed test.
For more information on Classroom Diagnostic Tools, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/CDT/Pages/default.aspx
DIBELS 8:
DIBELS 8 Reading is a K-6th grade universal screener that determines students' reading needs. It provides insight into reading areas that need identified support and intervention in order to prevent future reading deficits in students. The assessment allows for teachers to monitor progress if interventions are working and provides ongoing data to determine if students are making necessary gains in reading instruction.
For additional information, please visit the DIBELSlearning site at https://dibels.uoregon.edu/materials/dibels
Firefly:
Firefly is a new, free online assessment tool provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to help us better understand your child's learning journey throughout the year.. Firefly offers a clear picture of your child's progress in English Language Arts, aligning with the same academic standards as the end-of-year PSSA and Keystone Exams. This computer-adaptive test adjusts to your child's responses, providing more personalized insights and allowing teachers to tailor instruction to meet individual needs, ultimately helping your child prepare effectively for success.
For additional information, please visit the PDE Firefly information sheet at https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/assessment-and-accountability/online-resources/firefly-report-interpretation-guide.pdf
iReady Math Diagnostic:
iReady Math is an online program that provides individualized, differentiated instruction for students based upon their own individual path to success in mathematics. Students, through a diagnostic assessment, are given a pathway of learning that includes instruction, activities and learning games. The program is monitored by teachers and supplemented with small group instruction to ensure students are gaining deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.
Please visit the Curriculum Associates website for additional information: https://www.curriculumassociates.com/programs/i-ready-learning/personalized-instruction/mathematics
PAST:
Phonological Awareness Screening Test (PAST) is an assessment used to identify students' development of phonological awareness. The PAST assessment is individually given to students with results on basic syllables, onset rimes, basic phonemes, and advanced phonemes. Teachers use this information to help determine instruction in the classroom and implement necessary interventions when needed.
For more information on the PAST reading assessments, please visit https://www.thepasttest.com/
CORE: Assessing Reading, Multiple Measures
The CORE provides a collection of tests for the comprehensive assessment of skills related to reading. The assessments provide teachers with help to determine where the student is struggling, determine next steps in instruction, and determine if remediation efforts are working through progress monitoring. The multiple measure assessments look at phonological awareness (phonemes, phonological segmentation), decoding and word attack (phonics, high frequency words), spelling, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
For more information on CORE, please visit https://www.corelearn.com/store/cores-assessing-reading-multiple-measures-revised-2nd-ed/
District Writing Benchmark Assessments
Writing benchmarks are periodic writing assessments given to students to assess their writing skills. These assessments often look like classroom writing assignments, but are specifically generated to demonstrate student growth in writing skills. These assessments are both teacher created and use resources provided by PDE to demonstrate student understanding and growth.
For more information on writing benchmarks, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/PSSA/Pages/ELAs.aspx
Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA):
PSSA is a standards-based criterion reference assessment which provides students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to attainment of proficiency of the academic standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science & Technology. Students are assessed through the PSSA's in grades 3-8th grade for English and Mathematics and grades 4 & 8 for Science. Students are scored using the criteria of advanced, proficient, basic and below basic on each of the exams.
For more information on PSSA's, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/PSSA/Pages/default.aspx
Spring Math
The Spring Math Assessment is an important tool used by our district to gauge student progress and understanding of key mathematical concepts taught throughout the year. This assessment provides valuable information to teachers and parents about each student's strengths and areas where they might need additional support. The results help us tailor instruction to meet individual student needs, inform future curriculum development, and ensure all students are on track for continued success in mathematics. To find out more about Spring Math please visit: https://www.springmath.org/
Future Ready PA Index:
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. The Index includes a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond.
For more information on Future Ready PA Index, please visit https://futurereadypa.org/Search/District
Middle School Assessments:
CDT Science
Classroom Diagnostic Tools- Science The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools are a set of online assessments for Science. It is designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction and support teachers with providing intervention and enrichment for students. The CDT is a computer-adaptive test that provides questions to students based on how students respond to testing items. The questions will adjust based upon the student's instructional level. The test is comprised of approximately 48-60 items and is an untimed test.
For more information on Classroom Diagnostic Tools, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/CDT/Pages/default.aspx
Aimsweb:
Aimsweb offers nationally-normed, skills-based benchmark assessments and progress monitoring integrated into one application across reading and math domains for special education. AIMSweb is a frequent assessment provided to students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) to track growth and document each student’s response to instructional changes as indicated in a student’s IEP. The Aimsweb reading assessment includes Reading Comprehension, Oral Reading Fluency, Silent Reading Fluency, and Vocabulary measures for grades 2-8. The Aimsweb math assessment includes Number Comparison Fluency-Triads, Mental Computation Fluency, and Concepts and Application measures for grades K-8.
For more information on Aimsweb Plus please visit https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Academic-Learning/Brief/aimswebPlus/p/100000519.html
Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA):
PSSA is a standards-based criterion reference assessment that provides students, parents, educators, and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to attainment of proficiency of the academic standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science & Technology. Students are assessed through the PSSA's in grades 3-8th grade for English and Mathematics, and grades 4 & 8 for Science. Students are scored using the criteria of advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic on each of the exams.
Future Ready PA Index:
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. The Index includes a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond.
For more information on Future Ready PA Index, please visit https://futurereadypa.org/Search/District
Keystone Exams: (Algebra ONLY)
The Keystone Exams are an end of course assessment that serves as one of Pennsylvania's high school graduation requirements. The Keystone exams measure students' understanding of Pennsylvania Standards in Algebra.
For more information on Keystone exams, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/Keystones/Pages/default.aspx.
High School Assessments:
CDT: Literature, Algebra, and Biology
The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools are a set of online assessments for Literacy, Mathematics, and Science. It is designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction and support teachers when providing intervention and enrichment for students. The CDT is a computer-adaptive test that provides questions to students based on how students respond to testing items. The questions will adjust based on the student's instructional level. The test is comprised of approximately 48-60 items and is an untimed test. Students at Susquehannock High School take the CDT assessments in English Literature, Algebra 1, and Biology.
For more information on Classroom Diagnostic Tools, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/CDT/Pages/default.aspx
Keystone Exams:
The Keystone Exams are an end-of-course assessment that serves as one of Pennsylvania's high school graduation requirements. The Keystone exams measure students' understanding of Pennsylvania Standards in Algebra, English Literature, and Biology.
For more information on Keystone exams, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/Keystones/Pages/default.aspx.
Future Ready PA Index:
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. The Index includes a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond.
For more information on Future Ready PA Index, please visit https://futurereadypa.org/Search/District
AP Exams:
Students who are enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses are able to take the AP Exams during the first two weeks in May at Susquehannnock High School. Students in grades 9-12 are able to take Advanced Placement Courses and qualify for taking the corresponding AP exam. Susquehannock High School will be offering 19 Advanced Placement courses for the 2025-2026 school year.
For more information on Advanced Placement Exams, please visit the College Board website https://www.collegeboard.org/ & https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies.
SAT/PSAT Exams:
The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admission decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, paper/pencil test created and administered by the College Board. The exam covers two areas, mathematics and evidence-based reading and writing.
The PSAT is a reading, writing/language and math test that prepares students for the SAT. PSAT tests are administered to students in October at Suquehannock High School. Please see your students' counselor for more information.
For more information on the PSAT & SAT, please visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat or your students' guidance counselor.
ACT/Pre ACT Exams:
The ACT test is a US admissions test, measuring what students learn in high school to determine academic readiness for college. The ACT is comprised of English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional).
The Pre ACT (much like the PSAT) is a practice test to prepare students for the ACT Exam.
For additional information on the ACT, please visit https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/college-planning-resources/testing-advice-for-the-act/act-vs-sat.html or contact your student's guidance counselor.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The ASVAB is an aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense to measure a young adult's strengths and potential for success in military training. At the high school level, the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) is used for career exploration. The ASVAB CEP provides interest assessments and planning tools to help young adults explore career field entry requirements and career paths both military and civilian. High School students in grades 10-12 can participate in ASVAB CEP testing and receive three composite scores in verbal, math, and science/technical skills.
For more information on the ASVAB test, please visit https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining-eligibility/asvab-test or see your guidance counselor.
Surveys Used to Collect Data:
Southern York County School District realizes the importance of collecting data in multiple areas to help us make important decisions about curriculum and instruction. In addition to summative, interim and formative assessments, we use surveys to help us gather information in our decision-making process. Here are some of the surveys that we utilize to help improve academics, social emotional learning, and the climate of our buildings.
PA School Climate Survey
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides schools with The Pennsylvania School Climate surveys, to help the districts analyze their climate through feedback measures in three main domains: Social/Emotional Learning, Student Support, and Safe and Respectful School Climate. These surveys are intended to provide schools with formative and summative climate data to use with needs assessments, program development and short and long term improvement planning. The survey reflects the perceptions of our stakeholders and allows the School District to make changes to enhance the educational environment.
For more information on the PA School Climate Survey, please visit https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/SchoolClimate/Pages/default.aspx
Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)
Since 1989, the Commonwealth has conducted a survey of school students in the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades to learn about their behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence. The ‘Pennsylvania Youth Survey,’ or PAYS, is sponsored and conducted every two years by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The data gathered in PAYS serve two primary needs. First, the results provide school administrators, state agency directors, legislators, and others with critical information concerning the changes in patterns of the use and abuse of these harmful substances and behaviors. Second, the survey assesses risk factors that are related to these behaviors and the protective factors that help guard against them. This information allows community leaders to direct prevention resources to areas where they are likely to have the greatest impact.
For additional information about the PAYS survey, please visit https://www.pccd.pa.gov/Juvenile-Justice/Pages/Pennsylvania-Youth-Survey-(PAYS)-2021.aspx
HRS Quick Data Surveys
High Reliability Schools (HRS) are educational institutions that systematically implement research-based practices to ensure consistent student success. Developed by Dr. Robert J. Marzano, the HRS framework outlines five hierarchical levels of performance, beginning with a Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture, progressing through Effective Teaching, Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, Standards-Referenced Reporting, and culminating in Competency-Based Education. Schools leverage "quick data"—including quick conversations, observations, and easily collected quantitative information—to monitor leading indicators (what to work on) and lagging indicators (proof of achievement), enabling continuous improvement and immediate action to address any errors or deficiencies. Surveys in Southern York County School District provide quick data for levels 1 (Safe, Supportive and Collaborative Culture), Level 2 (Effective Teaching in Every Classroom), and Level 3 (Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum)
District Assessment Schedule
For a schedule of district assessments, please see the assessment calendars for the 2025-2026 school year:
Elementary
Middle School
High School
For additional questions about assessments or surveys used in Southern York County School District, please reach out to Dr. Kimberly Hughes, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Robert Bryson, Dr. Len Reppert, Assistant Superintendent, or your students' Principal. 717-235-4811 x7230.