PDE Parent Notification and Cell Phone/Electronic Devices

Dear Parent/Guardian:

 

In an era of cell phones, smartphones, and other electronic devices which can easily photograph and instantly share photographs, confidential and secure test materials can be easily compromised.  Not only is it expensive to replace a compromised test item, the material contained in the PSSA and Keystone Exams is copyrighted property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Copying or duplicating the material from the assessment, including the taking of a photograph of secure assessment material, is a violation of the federal Copyright Act.  Penalities for violations of the Copyright Act may include the cost of replacing the compromised test(s) or fines of no less than $750 up to $30,000 for a single violation (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.).

 

In order to ensure reliable test results and to avoid the cost of replacing test items, the Department of Education requires schools to set rules and take certain steps to protect test materials.  Electronic devices such as but not limited to cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, E-readers, Nooks, Kindles, iPods, tablets, camera-ready devices, and any other electronic device which can be used to photograph or duplicate test materials, access the internet and/or communicate with others during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams are not permitted in any testing site.  Please speak with your child and let him or her know that the possession and/or use of a cell phone or other electronic device during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams will result in consequences.

 

You will be contacted by the school if your child is discovered using and/or having a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the PSSA or Keystone Exams.  Students who ignore this directive will be subject to the school's discipline policy and the Department of Education's requirement that the student's test will not be scored and the student will be required to retake the entire exam.  The electronic device will be held by school staff, and the device's stored photographs and other functions will be examined with your permission.  You may request to be present when the electronic device is examined.  If a photograph of the PSSA or Keystone Exam is discovered or if permission to search other functions of the electronic device is refused, the device will be held by the school staff.  The Pennsylvania Department of Education holds the copyright to all material contained withing the PSSA and Keystone Exams, the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be contacted and further action may be taken.

 

If, after testing is complete and test materials have been returned, it is discovered that a student used and/or had a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the test, the school's discipline policy will be followed and the student's scores will be invalidated.

 

 

Calculator Policy

 

If a student chooses to use a calculator (other than the online options) on the Keystone Exams or PSSA in sections where the calculator is permitted, the student must adhere to the guidelines listed below.  It is incumbent upon the School Assessment Coordinator to ensure that all calculator polices are implemented and followed, including making sure calculators have no programs or other data stored in their memory other than those that are factory installed.  Please note that if a student wants to restore the deleted programs, the student will need to back up these programs prior to the assessment.  In addition, the memory must be cleared on the calculator prior to and following each test session of the assessment.

 

The following are not permitted for the PSSA or Keystone Exams: