Science Reporting and PVAAS Update

As part of Pennsylvania’s transition to the new STEELS-aligned science assessments, science achievement, proficiency, growth, and building-level measures will be released later than usual this year. While these measures are typically available in early November, final teacher-specific proficiency rates, growth measures, and building-level scores are expected no later than December 2026 due to the standard-setting process required for the new assessments.

The 2024-25 waiver of science testing in grades 5 and 8 also affects PVAAS reporting. Professional employees who teach only science in grades 5 and/or 8 will not receive a PVAAS growth score until Fall 2028, when sufficient consecutive years of assessment data become available. Teachers who teach other tested content areas will continue to receive PVAAS growth scores based on those assessments. Biology teachers will continue to receive PVAAS growth scores as usual. 

Because these measures may be used in Act 13 educator evaluations, LEAs should consult with their solicitors and may wish to wait until all applicable data is available before finalizing evaluations for affected professional employees. Temporary Professional Employees (TPEs) are not impacted and may continue to be evaluated according to normal timelines.