Upper Darby School District staff asked the Education and Pupil Services Committee for permission to administer Pennsylvania’s Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDTs) in secondary science classes so teachers can identify student strengths and instructional needs aligned to the state’s new science standards. Dr. Kelly introduced the item and said the CDT platform has been updated and realigned to the state science standards adopted in January 2022.
The nut graf: Staff proposed administering CDTs in grades 6–8 and in high‑school general science and biology; the CDT is an untimed, state‑aligned diagnostic (about one class period, ~45 minutes), not a predictive tool for PSSA or Keystone outcomes, and teachers would receive reports and training to use results to guide instruction.
Dr. Kelly explained CDTs are diagnostic tools that "help teachers plan, allowing them to know the students strengths and areas of need." She emphasized the assessment is not nationally normed and is distinct from MAP testing, which the district will continue to administer three times a year. The CDT uses the same platform as PSSAs and Keystones (DRC), is available at no cost to Pennsylvania districts, and has supporting teacher resources on the state site.
Staff outlined a professional development schedule: district‑level PD and DRC upload/setup (Lambert and others), August training for teachers on test administration (Ms. Riches), and subsequent PD on analyzing reports and updating curriculum map assessment components. Staff also noted communication to parents and students explaining why the CDT is administered and how results will be used.
Committee members asked no substantive questions during the presentation; the item was listed for board action and included in the committee consensus to forward items for consideration at the March legislative board meeting.