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HARRISBURG (Dec. 6, 2017) – Dolores McCracken, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, today issued the following statement following Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement on standardized testing.
“Gov. Wolf gets it on standardized testing. He’s heard and understands what teachers, parents, and students have been saying for a long time – that the PSSA testing schedule should be pushed later into the academic year to allow for more quality instructional time. He also understands that less time spent on testing allows for more time spent teaching and learning.
“This is great progress, and we look forward to continuing work with the governor on this issue.”
Gov. Wolf announced today that the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests will be condensed from three weeks to two weeks and shifted to later in the school year, easing pressure on teachers and students and providing two additional weeks of instructional time before the testing period begins.
The governor earlier this year also announced changes taking effect this school year to remove two sections of the PSSA, one in math and one in English language arts, and reduce questions in the science assessment, allowing state officials to condense and move the testing window to later in the year.
McCracken is a paraprofessional in the Council Rock School District. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents approximately 181,000 future, active and retired teachers and school employees, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.
