Philadelphia PSSA Scores Expected To Be Much Lower
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Standardized test scores for Pennsylvania schools are being released today. And, don't be surprised to see them drop, because of tighter controls to curb cheating.
The state is releasing the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores for districts and individual schools. With questionable wrong-to-right erasure patterns raising eyebrows, the education department last year tightened the reins, not allowing Philadelphia teachers to administer the tests to their own students and requiring multiple signatures that booklets weren't altered.
State education secretary Ron Tomalis says some individual buildings may see their scores plummet by 15, 20 or 25 percent.
"Based upon our investigation this past year, it was very clear that in many circumstances that there was manipulation of data."
The PSSA is the prime measuring stick for progress, under No Child Left Behind. Tomalis says he believes today's results will represent a true picture of student achievement, rather than adult cheating.
