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Hello,

I’m Sammy Caiola, Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s gun violence reporter.

Philadelphia’s release of state test scores has been delayed for months. Now we’ve finally got an answer for why: State officials are proposing changes to how to score the PSSA and Keystone exams.

The proposal, which the state Board of Education will vote on later this month, would lower the scores students need to be classified as “advanced” on the state math and reading tests in nearly all grades.

Read about the proposed cut score changes here.

Also, it’s election week, and my colleague Carly Sitrin has a new piece on what Democratic control of Pennsylvania’s legislature could mean for schools.

Read that story here.

As always, you can send story ideas and questions to the team at [email protected].

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Local News

Philadelphia state test scores are months late. Now state officials want to change the cut scores.

The proposal would result in more students being classified as “advanced” on Pennsylvania’s state math and reading tests, officials said.

Democrats take full control of Pennsylvania government. What does it mean for schools?

With Democrats controlling the governor’s office and both chambers of the legislature for the first time in more than 30 years, public school advocates want major new investments in education.