Assessing to Learn: PA Benchmark Initiative

Assessing to Learn: Pennsylvania Benchmark Initiative is an effort that allows the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and its Intermediate Units, along with the Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE), to collaborate to provide 4Sight Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments in grades 3-11, that are aligned with the PSSA in reading and math, to school districts across the Commonwealth. This initiative allows districts not participating in the CDDRE research school intervention project to benefit from the use of formative benchmark assessments. The PA 4Sight Benchmarks are aligned to the PSSA and provide an estimate of student performance on the PSSA as well as diagnostic sub-skill data to guide classroom instruction and professional development efforts.

Following the initial introduction of this program, many of the participating Intermediate Units expressed an interest in expansion to other districts in their Intermediate Units, as well as other school districts in Intermediate Units that did not initially submit an application. As a result, now any Intermediate Units or school districts interested in participating in the Assessing to Learn: Pennsylvania Benchmark Initiative and utilizing the 4Sight Benchmarks may do so at a reduced cost. Additionally, many of the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) districts and those with Accountability Block Grants (ABG) who are interested in using 4Sight as a standard measure across their schools may also participate and use the funding under these programs.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) would like to thank each of you for your efforts, support and diligence in making the first two years of the Assessing to Learn PA Benchmark Initiative a great success!  The 4Sight Benchmark Assessments have proven to be an invaluable tool utilized across our Commonwealth to drive instruction, focus professional development efforts, identify program needs and improve student achievement.  Vital to the success of this massive project, has been the collaboration between school districts, intermediate units, the Success for All Foundation (SFAF), and the PDE.  During the 2005-2006 pilot year, nearly 600,000 assessments were administered in 750 schools across more than 310 districts. Participation during the second year included over 1,000,000 assessments administered in more than 1,200 schools across more than 340 school districts.  4Sight has been used to assist districts in promoting change, addressing program needs, initiating data discussions, and fostering a data-driven culture.  In addition, 4Sight has focused prevention and intervention efforts and provided a consistent reporting system for Pennsylvania districts involved in the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) Tutoring Initiative.  As with the implementation of any new initiative, there have been many challenges to face and your perseverance, professional insight, and prolific suggestions have been critical to improving services.

Due to the expansive participation and overwhelming positive response from teachers, tutors, administrators, parents, curriculum specialists and program coordinators, we are pleased to announce that the 4Sight Benchmark Assessments for Reading and Mathematics will be available to school districts and intermediate units across our Commonwealth for the upcoming school year. 4Sight Benchmark Assessments for Reading and Math have been revised to reflect the changes in the Assessment Anchors. 

The cost for the paper version of the 4th Edition 4Sight Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments for the 2007-2008 School Year for grades 3-11 is sixty dollars ($60.00) per classroom (set of 30), per subject (Reading / Math).  The cost for the on-line version for grades 3-11 is one-thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per building for the first 500 participating students (including Reading and Math for all 500), plus one dollar ($1.00) per additional participating student over 500.  The cost includes the option for buildings to have each participating student (user) take both the Reading and Math versions of 4Sight On-line.  There is NOT a separate or additional cost per subject area (Reading and Math) for the on-line version of 4Sight.  Districts are required to meet the technology requirements and follow a protocol in order to access the on-line version of 4Sight Reading and Math Benchmark Assessments (Grades 3-11).  For more information on 4Sight on-line, please contact Mary Conway Vaughan, Project Manager for 4Sight Online, at mcvaughan@successforall.org.  Ordering information for the 2008-2009 School Year will be shared with intermediate units, school districts and tutoring providers in early Spring 2008.

We look forward to your continued support of 4Sight Benchmark Assessments and the Assessing to Learn:  Pennsylvania Benchmark Initiative to improve student achievement for the 2007-2008 School Year.   Thank you.