>>Pennsylvania Reports Lower Performance On Standardized Tests
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Department of Education has released standardized test scores from the 2020-21 academic year and they reflects a decline in performance. State education officials say no one should rush to judgment, however, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic caused learning gaps as schools adjusted to varied instruction models. Sherri Smith, Deputy Secretary For Elementary and Secondary Education, said in a statement that "Historically, standardized assessment results have been an important part of understanding school performances. But this year's results are anything but standard." The federal Every Student Succeeds Act mandates the annual standardized tests.