Standards-Based Reporting
The Wissahickon School District follows a standards-based curriculum. Standards are specific learning goals designed to provide targets for all students. As a school district, Wissahickon is accountable for helping our students achieve proficiency on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. To that end, we use a K‑5 standards-based progress reporting system that clearly defines students’ academic responsibilities.
Standards represent the expected proficiency levels for all students. The Wissahickon K-5 report card places the focus on student performance. We gain a more realistic insight into students’ capabilities through collected demonstrations, performances, and series of assessments that show evidence of work over time.
Although progress reports are important, they are only one part of a larger reporting system. We encourage parents to meet with their children’s teachers during conferences and look for ongoing information in the form of classroom communications.
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is the state’s method of measuring student proficiency in relation to academic standards. They are a once-a-year “snapshot” of student learning in grades 3-8 and 11. Within Wissahickon, teachers use ongoing assessments to develop appropriate feedback for students and design effective differentiated instruction to meet their needs. To learn more about the PA Standards, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.