Pa. makes decision on Keystone, PSSA exams amid coronavirus pandemic

As schools across Pennsylvania face many unknowns, one thing became clear Thursday: There will be no statewide assessments this year.

Education Secretary Pedro Rivera canceled PSSA and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year due to the spreading coronavirus. That decision also applies to the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment.

“Our school communities are operating within unprecedented conditions,” Rivera said in a statement. “Schools are making extraordinary efforts to remain connected to students and families, to provide food service and to put appropriate systems in place to continue student learning. Assessments should not be the focus of school leaders right now.”

PSSA tests were set to begin April 20, while Keystones were to begin May 11.

Schools statewide are in the first week of a 10-day closure mandated by Gov. Tom Wolf.

“To be clear, all assessments are canceled for this year,” Rivera said. “The department will submit the requisite waivers to the U.S. Department of Education, but no schools in the commonwealth will be administering these tests this year.”

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 4:50 PM.