House. Select Subcommittee to Investigate Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Tests (HR 495)
Dates
- Existence: 2000
biographical statement
House Resolution 495 established on May 10, 2000, a Select Subcommittee to investigate Pennsylvania School Assessment test accuracy to measure individual student performance as well as the performance of the school districts. The Select Subcommittee was also to determine the manner in which the PSSA Test would be prepared, approved, administered and scored. The Select Subcommittee was directed to submit a final report of its investigation along with recommendations for remedial legislation on or before November 30, 2000. Members of the Select Subcommittee included Samuel E. Rohrer (majority chairman), Phyllis Mundy, Robert J. Flick, Daryl D. Metcalfe, Sara G. Steelman, Thomas L. Stevenson and Thomas F. Yewcic.
The Select Subcommittee’s Final Report concluded that changes to the current PSSA Test were necessary. The twelve recommendations for change in the PSSA Test are within the Final Report. The Select Subcommittee recommended changes in the scoring and development of the PSSA test, and an option allowing parents to choose to not have their children partake in the testing for religious or philosophical reasons.