Performance Levels are based on scale scores. Your child's raw score (number correct) was translated into the scale score. Scale scores indicate the level of student skills, and can be compared across grades. The four Performance Levels indicate the extent to which students have met the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for their grade. The four Performance Levels are:

	Advanced: Superior academic performance indicating an in-depth understanding and exemplary display of the skills included in Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards.

	Proficient: Satisfactory academic performance indicating a solid understanding and adequate display of the skills included in Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards.

	Basic: Marginal academic performance, work approaching, but not yet reaching, satisfactory performance. Performance indicates a partial understanding and limited display of the skills included in the Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards. The student may need additional instructional opportunities and/or increased student academic commitment to achieve the Proficient Level.

	Below Basic: Inadequate academic performance that indicates little understanding and minimal display of the skills included in the Pennsylvania Academic Content Standards. There is a major need for additional instructional opportunities and/or increased student academic commitment to achieve the Proficient Level.

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All 501 school districts are required to participate in the PSSA. Students in Grades 3-8 and 11 take the math and reading sections of the PSSA, students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 participate in the writing exam, and students in Grades 4, 8, and 11 participate in the science exam. Nonpublic and private schools may participate on a voluntary basis.

Students with severe disabilities could be eligible to take an alternate assessment. A child may also be excused from the assessment if a parent believes the test conflicts with religious beliefs.

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In using some of the resources on this website with your child, you might adapt the reading and mathematics activities. For example, if you speak another language at home, try working with your child on Mathematics in ways that do not rely on English. Offer problems that involve symbols alone, and work in your native language. As you work together at home, help your child recognize her progress by noting growth. Each time you try these activities together, gather the work that your child has created in a folder. Help her recognize that the work you do together at home will help her in school. Encourage her to be proud and positive as well as patient. Developing strong skills and language proficiency takes time and occurs over many years. Also, make sure you are working with your child's school and take advantage of all its resources for special needs students and English Language Learners. Below you will find websites with useful activities and strategies.

	The Pennsylvania Department of Education Special Education Services http://www.pde.state.pa.us/special_edu/site/default.asp The Department of Education provides information about programs in schools English Language Learners (ELL).

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder http://chadd.org Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a national nonprofit organization providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with AD/HD. The entire site is available in Spanish and English. CHADD also offers a National Resource Center on AD/HD: 1-800-233-4050 (Monday—Friday, 8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Eastern time).

	Teaching Special Kids: On-Line Resources for Teachers http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr139.shtml This Education World® article is rich in lessons and activities for teachers of special needs students. Parents might try some of these activities at home. The article also provides many parent-friendly links for students with disabilities.

National Center to Improve Practice http://www2.edc.org/NCIP The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) promotes the use of technology to enhance educational outcomes for students with sensory, cognitive, physical, and social/emotional disabilities. This site index provides parents with a collection of resources about technology and special education, videos of students using assistive and instructional technologies, links to other special education and technology resources, and more.

	The Pennsylvania Department of Education http://www.pde.state.pa.us/esl/cwp/view.asp?Q=104191 The Department of Education provides information about programs in schools for students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or English Language Learners (ELL).

	Frequently Asked Language Acquisition Questions http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/expert/faq This is a list of frequently asked questions put together by the National Clearing House for English Acquisition.

	Resources for Parents about Language Acquisition http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/spotlight/1_parents.html This link, also from The National Clearing House for English Acquisition, provides resources for parents looking to facilitate their child's learning both in school and at home.

	100 Ways for Parents to be Involved in Their Child's Education http://www.pta.org/spanish/brochure.asp This Spanish-language version of a National PTA publication suggests 100 Ways for Parents to be Involved in Their Child’s Education.

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Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education' EdNA (Education Names and Addresses) homepage at http://edna.ed.state.pa.us/ for contact information for your child's school or district.

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If you did not receive your child's report, contact his or her school. Ask a teacher or administrator when the report was sent home with your child. The school should also have a copy of your child's report.

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