§ 4.52. Local assessment system.

 (a)  Each school entity shall design an assessment system to do the following:

   (1)  Determine the degree to which students are achieving academic standards under § §  4.12 and 4.13(c)(3) (relating to academic standards; and strategic plans). The school entity shall provide assistance to students not attaining academic standards at the proficient level or better and the assistance to be provided shall be indicated in the strategic plan under §  4.13.

   (2)  Use assessment results to improve curriculum and instructional practices, to guide instructional strategies and to develop future strategic plans under §  4.13.

   (3)  Provide information requested by the Department regarding the achievement of academic standards, which does not include student names, identification numbers or individually identifiable information.

   (4)  Provide summary information including results of assessments under this section to the general public regarding the achievement of students, which does not include student names, identification numbers or individually identifiable information.

 (b)  The local assessment system shall be implemented no later than 1 year after its strategic plan or revision is approved by the board of school directors under §  4.13.

 (c)  The local assessment system shall be described in the school entity’s strategic plan under §  4.13(c)(5).

 (d)  The local assessment system shall be described in the district’s (including a charter school’s) or AVTS’s strategic plan under §  4.13(c)(5), including industry certifications earned by vocational-technical students, Pennsylvania skill certificates earned by vocational technical education students, and projects completed by vocational-technical education students which demonstrate their occupational competency.

 (e)  The local assessment system shall be designed to include a variety of assessment strategies which may include the following:

   (1)  Written work by students.

   (2)  Scientific experiments conducted by students.

   (3)  Works of art or musical, theatrical or dance performances by students.

   (4)  Other demonstrations, performances, products or projects by students related to specific academic standards.

   (5)  Examinations developed by teachers to assess specific academic standards.

   (6)  Nationally-available achievement tests.

   (7)  Diagnostic assessments.

   (8)  Evaluations of portfolios of student work related to achievement of academic standards.

   (9)  Other measures as appropriate, which may include standardized tests.

 (f)  Individual test information shall be maintained in a student’s educational record in a manner consistent with section 438 of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.A §  1232g) and 34 CFR Part 99 (relating to family educational rights and privacy).

 (g)  Children with disabilities shall be included in the local assessment system, with appropriate accommodations, when necessary. As appropriate, the school district, including charter schools, or AVTS shall develop guidelines for the participation of children with disabilities in alternate assessments for those children who cannot participate in the local assessment as determined by each child’s Individualized Education Program team under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and this part.

   The provisions of this §  4.52 amended under the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. 26-2603-B).

   The provisions of this §  4.52 amended February 15, 2008, effective February 16, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 872. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (323747) to (323748).

   This section cited in 22 Pa. Code §  4.12 (relating to academic standards); 22 Pa. Code §  4.13 (relating to strategic plans); 22 Pa. Code §  4.20 (relating to prekindergarten education); 22 Pa. Code §  4.21 (relating to elementary education: primary and intermediate levels); 22 Pa. Code §  4.24 (relating to high school graduation requirements); and 22 Pa. Code §  14.105 (relating to personnel).