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Parents press Carlynton SD on remote PSSA testing days and childcare burdens; district cites staffing and testing requirements
Summary
Parents told the board that expanding PSSA-related remote learning days to five days causes childcare hardships for families with young children; district leaders said state testing accommodations, small-group and 1:1 requirements, and a move to online testing constrain in-person options and limit staffing capacity.
During public comment, parents said the district’s use of remote learning days tied to PSSA testing created hardship for families — particularly those with kindergarten through second-grade children who receive packets rather than instruction during remote days.
"They're literally getting a packet of 5 pages of work," a parent said, expressing concern that younger students receive minimal instruction during the remote days and that five days is an onerous childcare burden. The parent asked whether the district solicited parent feedback before expanding remote days and urged the district to consider alternative supports.
The superintendent replied that many assessments now require small-group or one-to-one administration and are moving to 100% online (PSSA, Keystone exams, SATs), which constrains the district’s personnel and testing logistics. He said the district is exploring alternatives — such as field trips or off-site activities for younger students on testing days — but that staffing limits and testing requirements have made fully in-person solutions difficult this year.
Board members encouraged continued dialogue with parents; administrators said they will consider parent surveys and look at creative options for next year to reduce childcare burdens while maintaining required assessment accommodations.
