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Upper Darby SD proposes Classroom Diagnostic Tools for secondary science; would use state platform and 45‑minute tests
Summary
District leaders asked the committee to approve using Pennsylvania Department of Education Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDTs) for secondary science (grades 6–8 and high-school general science and biology) to help teachers target instruction; tests are untimed, aligned to state standards and take about one class period.
District administrators recommended that the Board approve use of Pennsylvania’s Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDTs) in secondary science courses to provide teachers with diagnostic information on student strengths and areas for instructional planning.
Dr. Kelly presented the CDT proposal to the Education & Pupil Services Committee and said CDTs are state-provided, standards-aligned diagnostic instruments hosted on the same platform used for the PSSAs and Keystones. The district seeks committee approval to administer CDTs to students in grades 6–8 science and to students enrolled in high-school general science and biology. Administrators described the tests as untimed, taking approximately 45 minutes (one class period) and intended to inform instruction rather than predict PSSA or Keystone outcomes.
The professional-development plan includes district-level training in August, platform setup work in the DRC system (the same vendor/platform used for PSSAs and Keystones), school-level supports, and ongoing training on using CDT reports to plan instruction. Curriculum staff noted they will update curriculum maps and communicate to parents about the purpose and use of the results.
Committee members had no substantive objections; the committee signaled consensus to move the CDT item to the March 11 board meeting for formal Board action and to proceed with PD and DRC setup pending Board approval.
