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
District Assessment for Academic Progress Monitoring
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 - May |
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. |