News & Blog

Every assessment follows the same overall cycle: measure, interpret, act, check whether it worked, and adjust. How often we can actually complete that cycle, and importantly, do it effectively, has more effect on instruction than the quality of any single measurement. How Often Pennsylvania’s Assessment System Returns Data…

When Pennsylvania assessment results arrive, educators often focus on the headline numbers: proficiency rates, school performance metrics, and accountability outcomes. While those figures are important, they only tell part of the story. Pennsylvania‘s Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) provide a framework for understanding how…

If your students are sitting for state assessments this spring, there is a strong chance they will be logging in through DRC INSIGHT, a secure, web-based testing platform used by millions of K–12 students nationwide. Many schools rely on the state’s Online Tools Training (OTT) to…

Pennsylvania is entering a new era of standardized testing this spring. For some schools, the shift to digital PSSA and Keystone assessments will feel familiar. Others are approaching this transition for the first time. Some schools may have more familiarity, but either way, the lack…

Pennsylvania is joining a growing national effort to ensure students graduate with foundational financial knowledge. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, every Pennsylvania high school must offer a standalone personal finance course worth at least 0.5 credit. For school and district leaders, this change involves more than simply adding…

Free Guide: Preparing for TEIs in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania schools are navigating big changes in state testing. With all PSSA and Keystone exams going fully digital by 2026, educators are now responsible for preparing students for more than just content—they must build digital fluency and confidence with…

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has reached resolution on a long‑delayed budget. On November 12, 2025, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the FY 2025‑26 budget into law, a balanced plan of about $50.1 billion. For K‑12 schools and districts in Pennsylvania, the…

Pennsylvania schools face growing pressure to demonstrate success across multiple dimensions, not just test scores. If you’re a district leader, curriculum director, or principal in Pennsylvania, you’ve likely spent time analyzing your school’s Future Ready PA Index results and wondering how to move the needle on those…

Pennsylvania science teachers are at the forefront of a transformative shift in how science is taught. The newly adopted STEELS standards (Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability) mark a major departure from the state’s 2002 science frameworks.