The purpose of this PENN*LINK is to provide school administrators and staff with details regarding important changes to the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) for the 2020-21 school year and a series of trainings to support the transition to the new alternate assessment.

The Bureau of Special Education (BSE) has selected Dynamic Learning Maps^® (DLM^®) Alternate Assessment System Consortium at the University of Kansas as the new PASA assessment and vendor for the 2020-21 testing cycle. Because the alternate assessment and vendor are new for this coming school year, it is imperative that school administrators, assessment coordinators, and teachers who work with students taking the PASA review the updated PASA DLM calendar, understand the new test design and training requirements, and participate accordingly in order to enroll and assess students through the new assessment system this year.

The following trainings will be offered virtually for school administrators and teachers who work with the PASA.  It is imperative that school administrators share this information with PASA Assessment Coordinators and assessors to ensure participation in required trainings accordingly.  Details are included below:

• PASA Getting Ready is a virtual training provided by BSE and Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) staff for Special Education Administrators and PASA Assessment Coordinators.  This annual training provides relevant updates regarding the PASA, and the federally mandated 1.0 percent threshold compliance and submission requirements for the 2020-21 school year.  The webinar will be available beginning September 25, 2020, and can be accessed on the PDE website at Bureau of Special Education Alternate Assessment.

• Getting to Know DLM for District Test Coordinators/Assessment Coordinators is a required training series for all PASA Assessment Coordinators to introduce the new assessment.  If the PASA Assessment Coordinator is not the Special Education Administrator, the Special Education Administrator also should participate.

• Getting to Know DLM for Test Administrators/Assessors is a required training series for all teachers who will administer the PASA.  PASA Assessment Coordinators are advised to view this training as well. This virtual training is designed to introduce the teacher to the new assessment design, system, and features. 

*The Getting to Know DLM training series for Assessment Coordinators and Assessors is intended to familiarize relevant personnel with the new assessment system.  Both webinars should be completed prior to enrolling students and engaging in the other DLM trainings. These pre-recorded trainings will be available beginning September 28, 2020 on the Pennsylvania DLM webpage.  All participants must register at PaTTAN Training Calendar.  Act 48 credit will be available.

• PASA DLM Test Administration Training is the annual required training that all teachers who administer the PASA must complete prior to administering the PASA.  This training will be available Monday, October 12–February 19, 2021 through the DLM Kite Portal.  Assessors looking to earn Act 48 credit must register through the PaTTAN Training Calendar. 

The 2020-21 PASA online enrollment window in the new DLM system will be open from October 19, 2020 through December 11, 2020.  To view the full PASA DLM Calendar for 2020-21 and other pertinent PASA information, visit the BSE Special Education Assessment page at Special Education Assessment.  Statewide assessment information for students with significant cognitive disabilities is available at PaTTAN PASA.

Questions regarding these training opportunities may be directed to Ron Logan, PaTTAN Educational Consultant, at rlogan@pattankop.net.