Standardized Assessment Requirement for Criteria-Based Schools
Criteria-based schools are using standardized assessment scores as part of the admissions criteria in the School Selection process.
Student applicants to criteria-based schools are required to submit Spring 2022 PSSA scores (or scores from an approved alternative assessment).* The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards.
The steps for fulfilling the assessment requirement for criteria-based schools will depend on the type of school the student attended in the 2021-22 school year and whether the student took the Spring 2022 PSSAs (Reading/ELA and Math). See the Standardized Assessment Requirement by Applicant’s 2021-22 School Type chart below for more information.
*Standardized assessment scores are not required for applications to 11th and 12th grades at criteria-based schools.
If an applicant was a School District of Philadelphia student during the 2021-22 school year and took the Spring 2022 PSSAs (both Reading/ELA and Math),no action is required on this page. The system will match the applicant’s PSSA scores to their School Selection application using School District student records.
Assessment Submission Form
Before starting this online form, you will need:
Student applicant’s Spring 2022 PSSA Reading/ELA and Math scores (or scores from an approved alternative assessment)
Digital copy of the student applicant’s Spring 2022 PSSA Reading/ELA and Math score report (or score report from an approved alternative assessment)
School District of Philadelphia student ID number (if applicable)
Parent/Guardian name, address, email, and phone number
School counselor name, email, and phone number
Copy of the student’s completed School Selection application (for optional reference—not required to complete this form)
SCORE SUBMISSION DEADLINE WAS NOVEMBER 4 at 11:59 PM
Standardized Assessment Requirement by Applicant’s 2021-22 School Type
2021-22 School Type (last school year)
Took Spring 2022 PSSAs or PASAs (both Reading/ELA and Math)
Steps for Completing Assessment Requirement for Criteria-based Schools
No action required. Spring 2022 PSSA or PASA scores will be retrieved from existing District records.
No
If you are still a School District student or other Philadelphia public school student in the current 2022-23 school year, see the TerraNova Assessment Administration section below to register for the TerraNova Assessment.
If you are no longer a School District student or other Philadelphia public school student, see the Approved Alternative Assessments section below to determine which scores to submit.
Submit Spring 2022 PSSA or PASA scores using the Assessment Submission Form.
No
If you are still a School District student or other Philadelphia public school student in the current 2022-23 school year, see the TerraNova Assessment Administration section below to register for the TerraNova Assessment.
If you are no longer a School District student or other Philadelphia public school student, see the Approved Alternative Assessments section below to determine which scores to submit.
Not sure
Contact your school counselor.
All Other Schools
Yes
Submit Spring 2022 PSSA or PASA scores using the Assessment Submission Form.
No
See the Approved Alternative Assessments section below to determine which scores to submit.
Registration for the School District’s TerraNova Assessment administration closed on October 3. Registrants will receive an email with testing time and location information before their testing date. No walk-ins will be permitted.
Approved Alternative Assessments
Reading/ELA and Math scores from the following standardized assessments will be accepted for student applicants who did not take the Spring 2022 PSSAs. The required national or state percentile ranks for each criteria-based school can be found in the School Specific Eligibility Criteria. Qualifying assessments must have been taken between January 1, 2022 and November 4, 2022 for the grade level the student was enrolled in at the time the test was taken.
California Achievement Test (CAT-10)
Educational Records Bureau – Comprehensive Testing Program (ERB-CTP)
Education Records Bureau – Independent Schools Entrance Exam (ERB-ISEE)
IOWA Test of Basic Skills
Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA)
Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)
State standardized assessment for a state other than Pennsylvania
TerraNova
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT SCORES WAS NOVEMBER 4 at 11:59 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child is a District student, how do I confirm that they have Spring 2022 PSSA scores?
Please use these steppers for viewing PSSA scores:
Where do I find the assessment eligibility criteria for schools, and how will I know if my scores meet the criteria?
The School Selection home page has a section called School Specific Eligibility Criteria. This section contains links to complete criteria lists for both Elementary/Middle Schools and High Schools, including the minimum standardized assessment percentiles that are required for each criteria-based school.
To convert your Spring 2022 PSSA or Keystone scores to a percentile, you should refer to the Percentile Conversion Charts that are also linked in the School Specific Eligibility Criteria section.
If you are submitting an approved alternative assessment, your national percentile rank or state percentile rank must meet the minimum standardized assessment criteria listed for each school you apply to.
What if I am not sure if my child took the Spring 2022 PSSAs or PASAs?
You can contact your school counselor if you need to confirm whether your child took the Spring 2022 PSSAs or PASAs.
What if I opted my child out of the Spring 2022 PSSAs or PASAs or my child missed one or both tests (Reading/ELA or Math) due to illness?
The School District of Philadelphia is offering an in-person TerraNova Assessment in October for Philadelphia public school students (School District, Charter, or Homeschool) who did not take the Spring 2022 PSSAs or PASAs (both Reading/ELA and Math). The registration deadline for the TerraNova Assessment was October 3 at 11:59 PM EST. No walk-ins will be permitted.
My child’s school doesn't offer the PSSAs. Can I provide the results of the PSSA-equivalent assessment my child took in their school?
Yes, you may submit one of the approved alternative assessments listed on this page instead of PSSA scores.
What if my child attends a private or parochial school and has not taken any of the approved alternative assessments in 2022?
You will need to work with your child’s current school to take an approved alternative assessment or identify providers that offer one of the approved alternative assessments.
