On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting is announcing a change for the PSSA Accountability Reporting internal snapshot to May 14, 2015. PDE learned from LEAs that there would be an issue in meeting the expected turnaround time for each assessment testing window, in order to submit data to PIMS. In an attempt to lessen the burden, PDE analyzed the PSSA and Keystone internal snapshot process and calendar to see if there were opportunities to consolidate some of our individual internal snapshots.

To that end, PDE is pleased to announce that the internal snapshots scheduled for PSSA Accountability (4/17/2015, 4/24/2015, 5/1/2015 and 5/8/2015) will be performed during the scheduled 5/14/2015 internal snapshot. 

Additionally, the Winter and Spring Keystone Exam Accountability Reporting internal snapshot scheduled for 5/27/2015 will be changed to 5/29/2015 to ensure that LEAs have enough time to validate their data at the end of the testing window prior to uploading to PIMS for the internal snapshot.

The revised PIMS Elementary Secondary Consolidated Collection Calendar 2014-2015 rev 1.9, which includes the changes outlined above, has been published on the PIMS web page.  It is located at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pims-pennsylvania_information_management_system/8959

LEAs are encouraged to use the sandbox as a tool to test and prepare data for successful data submission. LEAs should be aware that data submitted in this internal snapshot will be used to calculate participation and performance rates. It is important to start early and submit data on time. There is no correction window so there is no opportunity to update or change data after the deadline.

Contact Pennsylvania Information Management System customer support at 800.661.2423 or help@pimssupport.org for help with uploading data. The direct link to submit an electronic ticket is https://paitsm.service-now.com/pde_wizard_redirect.do.

Please contact PDE’s Division of Performance Analysis and Reporting with questions at 717.705.2343 or ra-pas@pa.gov.