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Reporting Measures & Assessments

State Assessment Opt-Out Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all school districts to administer the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) to students in grades 3–8 and the Keystone Exams to students in grades 9–11. As FRSD prepares to administer these state assessments, I want to share the following information regarding exclusion requests and important dates. 


Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. code 4.4) provides for the right of any parent/guardian to excuse their child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to conflict with their religious beliefs. This is the only basis under Chapter 4 rules for a parent/guardian to excuse their child from the statewide assessments.


The request protocol for exclusion from the State assessment is as follows:

  • Parents/guardians who feel that the assessment may conflict with their religious beliefs must contact their building principal to set up a time to meet and review the assessment.
  • Parents/guardians must review the assessments on district property with district personnel present at all times. 
  • Parents/guardians must sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement. Parents/guardians may not photocopy, write down, or in any other manner record any portion of the assessments, including directions. 
  • If, after reviewing the test, parents/guardians deem the test conflicts with their religious beliefs and wish their student(s) be excused from the test, the parents/guardians must provide a written request via email that states the objection to their Assistant Superintendent with their building principal cc’d. 
  • If the student is excused from the assessment due to parental request, the school personnel will provide an alternative learning environment and/or assessment for the student. Students opting out of the assessment due to parental request will not negatively impact the individual child; however, opting out does decrease the school’s participation rate and can potentially have a negative impact on the school’s accountability status.

 

Important 2026 PSSA Dates

  • The 2026 PSSA testing window begins Monday, April 20, 2026.
  • PSSA Tests can be viewed starting Monday, March 30, until Thursday, April 16.
  • No PSSA opt-outs will be accepted after Thursday, April 16.

 

Important Keystone Exam Dates

  • The 2026 Keystone Exam testing window begins Monday, May 11, 2026.
  • Keystone Exams can be viewed starting Monday, April 20, until Thursday, May 7.
  • No Keystone Exam opt-outs will be accepted after Thursday, May 7.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your building administrator.