Getting Started

Group Summary: Scale Scores and Performance Levels provides summary statistics including number tested, mean scale score, number and percent of students at each performance level, and percent of students at and above proficiency. Users can select content areas, statistics, one or more years, demographic variables for summary, and different report views. Users can also drill down to subgroup or individual student results. To get started:

• Select "Group Summary: Scale Scores and Performance Levels" under "Select Report."
• Select year(s).
• Select grade.
• Select state, district(s), and/or school(s).
• Click "Get Report" to get a report with default selections (you can customize the report later on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can choose to save your report for later viewing or download it as a PDF or CSV file. A CSV is a text file that opens directly in Microsoft Excel. In addition, you can:

• Show N Counts for Percentages: To see, for example, how many students met the standard in Mathematics, click the "% in Each Performance Level" column and then click "Show N Counts."
  
• Drill-Down Disaggregation: You can further disaggregate a visible group by clicking on it in the first column. For example, if you see a report for Hispanic females and you would like to analyze those females by their LEP statuses, click on "Hispanic," then "Disaggregate," then "LEP."
  
• Drill to Roster: Click on any group or year and select "Drill to Roster" to view the roster of students that comprise the data for that group/year.

Using the Customization Tabs

• Years
  This feature allows the user to select years. For example, to see scores for the year 2008, click on "2008" and then click "Submit."
  
• Grade
  This feature allows the user to select a grade. For example, to see scores for grade 3, click on "Grade 3" and then on "Submit."
  
• Scores
  This feature allows the user to select which scores are shown in the report. For example, to see the mean scale scores, select "Mean Scale Score" and click "Submit."
  
• Disaggregate
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see statistics for different ethnicities, first select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

Getting Started

Group Summary: Reporting Categories and Anchors provides summary statistics, including number tested, average raw score, maximum score possible, and percent of score points earned for each reporting category and anchor. Users can select content areas, statistics, and demographic variables for summary and can drill down to subgroup or individual student results. To get started:

• Select "Group Summary: Reporting Categories and Anchors" under "Select Report."
• Select year(s).
• Select a grade.
• Select state, district(s) or school(s).
• Click "Get Report" to create a report with default selections (you can customize the report later on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser. You can also save the report for later online access, or download it as an Excel CSV or PDF file. An Excel CSV is simply a text file that opens directly in Microsoft Excel. You can also:

• Calculate N Counts for Percentages: To see, for example, how many students met the standard in Mathematics, click the "% Advanced/ Proficient" column and then click "Calculate N."
  
• Drill-Down Disaggregation: You can further disaggregate a visible group by clicking on it in the first column. For example, if you see a report for Hispanic males and you would like to analyze those males by their ELL statuses, click on "Hispanic," then "Disaggregate," then "ELL."
  

Using the Customization Tabs

• Year
  This feature allows the user to select the year(s). For example, to see scores for the year 2008, first select "2008" and then click "Submit."
  
• Grade
  This feature allows the user to select a grade. For example, to see scores for grade 3, click on "Grade 3" and then on "Submit."
  
• Scores
  This feature allows the user to select which scores are shown in the report. For example, to see the total raw scores, select "Total Raw Score" and click "Submit."
  
• Disaggregate
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see statistics for different ethnicities, first select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

Getting Started

Graphical Summary: Performance Levels provides summary graphs, including bar charts, pie charts, histograms, and line graphs. The statistics to be graphed include percent at each performance level, percent at/above proficiency, and percent below proficiency. Users can select content, statistics, demographical variables, and multiple grades/years for year to year or cohort comparison. Users can also drill down to individual student results. To get started:

• Select "Performance Level Summary Report" under "Select Report."
• Select year(s) and grade(s).
• Select school(s) and/or district(s).
• Click "Get Report" to get a report with default selections (you can later customize the report on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser, save it online for later viewing, or download it as a PDF file. You can also:

• Drill Down to Roster: Click on any bar in the chart to view a roster of the students that comprise the data for that bar.
  
• Pie Graph: You can see a pie graph by clicking on a bar and choosing "View Pie Graph."
  

Using the Customization Tabs

• Report Type
  This feature allows the user to select a different report type.
  
• Subjects
  This feature allows the user to select different content areas.
  
• Levels
  This feature allows the user to select different performance levels
  
• Disaggregate
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see statistics for different ethnicities, first select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

Getting Started

Graphical Summary: Reporting Categories provides a bar chart to display the percent of score points earned for each reporting category. Users can select content areas and demographic variables for summary and can drill down to individual student results. To get started:

• Select "Graphical Summary: Reporting Categories" under "Select Report."
• Select year.
• Select grade.
• Select the school(s) and/or district(s).
• Click "Get Report" to create a report with default selections (you can later customize the report on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser, save it online for later viewing, or download it as a PDF file.

• Drill Down to Roster: Click on any bar in the chart to view the roster of students that comprise the data for that bar.
  

Using the Customization Tabs

• Subjects
  This feature allows the user to select different content areas.
  
• Categories
  This feature allows the user to select one or more reporting categories.
  
• Disaggregate
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see statistics for different ethnicities, first select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

Getting Started

Individual Performance: PSSA provides individual student scores including scale scores, performance levels, total raw scores by item type, and raw scores by reporting category and anchors. It also provides student level data including local and state ID, demographic information, and score attribution information. Users can select subgroups of students by filtering options, sort data in ascending or descending order, and perform Ad Hoc queries on any score variable(s) to obtain summary reports or graphs. To get started:

• Select "Individual Performance" under "Select Report."
• Select the year.
• Select the grade.
• Select the school or district.
• Click "Get Report" to create a report with default selections (you can later customize the report on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser. You can also save the report online for later access or download it as an Excel CSV or PDF file. An Excel CSV is simply a text file that opens directly in Microsoft Excel. You can also:

• Sort the report by clicking the column of interest. For example, to see the students with highest total scores first:
  
• View a printable individual report of a particular student by clicking on that student's name.
  
• Instantly see summary statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, by clicking on its column. For example, to see a summary of the total scores:
  
• Also, see summary statistics divided into demographic subgroups, such as gender or ethnicity, by clicking on "Summarize By."
• Create a scatter plot of scores by clicking on the scaled score or total raw score that you want for your x-axis. Then, choose “Plot Against” and select another scaled score or total raw score for your y-axis. The scatter plot will open in a new window. (See the Scatter Plot help article for advanced features.)
• Generate a frequency distribution for performance levels by clicking on a performance level column and choosing "Distribute."
• Also, generate a frequency distribution divided into demographic subgroups by clicking on a performance level column and choosing "Distribute By."
• Create a cross-tab report by clicking on a performance level, choosing "Cross-Tab Report," and clicking on another performance level.

Using the Customization Tabs

• Year
  This feature allows the user to select the year(s). For example, to see scores for the year 2008, first select "2008" and then click "Submit."
  
• Grade
  This feature allows the user to select a grade. For example, to see scores for grade 3, click on "Grade 3" and then on "Submit."
  
• Scores
  This feature allows the user to select which scores are shown in the report. For example, to see the mean scale scores, select "Mean Scale Score" and click "Submit."
  
• Fields
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see results for different ethnicities, select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Search
  This feature allows the user to search students by different criteria. For example, to see students with the first name John, select "First Name" from the first drop-down list, type "John" in the input box, and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

Getting Started

The Longitudinal Individual Performance Report provides a roster list of scores and student data for multiple years. By selecting a year from the main menu, users can generate a roster report that matches a student’s current score results with previous grades/years. In addition, the user can produce an individual student report for any given year by selecting the student’s last name. To get started:

• Select "Longitudinal Individual Performance" under "Select Report"
• Select the years/grades. The years/grades may already be selected. To make changes, click on the selections (in blue) and the drop-down menus will reappear.
• Select state, district, or school.
• Click "Get Report" to create a report with default selections (you can later customize the report on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser. You can also save the report for later online access, or download it as an Excel CSV or PDF file. An Excel CSV is simply a text file that opens directly in Microsoft Excel. You can also:

• Sort the report by clicking the column of interest, then "Sort." For example, to see the students with the highest scale scores first:
  
• View a printable Individual report of a particular student by clicking on that student's name.
  
• Instantly see summary statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, by clicking on its column, then on "Summarize." For example, to see a summary of the scale scores:
  
• Also, see summary statistics divided into demographic subgroups such as gender or ethnicity, by clicking on "Summarize By."

Using the Customization Tabs

• Scores
  This feature allows the user to select which scores are shown in the report. For example, to see the mean scale scores, select "Mean Scale Score" and click "Submit."
  
• Fields
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see results for different ethnicities, select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  
• Search
  This feature allows the user to search students by different criteria. For example, to see students with the first name John, select "First Name" from the first drop-down list, type "John" in the input box, and then click "Submit."
  

Getting Started

The Matched Comparison Report provides a two-way table to show the number/percent of students in each performance level across two years/grades for matched cohorts. The user can use the scroll down feature to switch among number tested, percentage of each performance level, and row and column percentages. Selecting a performance level value from the report directs the user to a longitudinal roster report. To get started:

• Select "Matched Comparison" under "Select Report"
• Select the years/grades. The years/grades may already be selected. To make changes, click on the selections (in blue) and the drop-down menus will reappear.
• Select state, district, or school.
• Click "Get Report" to create a report with default selections (you can later customize the report on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser. You can also save the report for later online access or download it as a PDF file.

Using the Customization Tabs

• Levels
  This feature allows the user to select different performance levels
  
• Subject
  This feature allows the user to select which subject should be shown in the report.
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

Getting Started

The Cohort Comparison Report provides summary results for matched cohorts (students matched by state ID) across multiple years/grades, beginning in 2008. To get started:

• Select "Cohort Comparison" under "Select Report"
• Select the years/grades. The years/grades may already be selected. To make changes, click on the selections (in blue) and the drop-down menus will reappear.
• Select state, district, or school.
• Click "Get Report" to create a report with default selections (you can later customize the report on the report page), or click "More Selections" to customize your report now.
  

Sample Report

If you selected "Get Report," you should see a report that looks similar to the following sample:

Advanced Features

Once you view your report, you can print it directly from your browser. You can also save the report for later online access or download it as a PDF file.

• Drill Down Disaggregation: You can further disaggregate a visible group by clicking on any bar in the chart.
  

Using the Customization Tabs

• Report
  This feature allows the user to select a different report type.
  
• Subject
  This feature allows the user to select which subject should be shown in the report.
  
• Scores
  This feature allows the user to select which scores are shown in the report. For example, to see the mean scale scores, select "Mean Scale Score" and click "Submit."
  
• Disaggregate
  This feature allows the user to disaggregate the report by different subgroups. For example, to see statistics for different ethnicities, first select "Ethnicity" and then click "Submit."
  
• Filters
  This feature allows the user to include or exclude students based on demographic characteristics. To include one or more subgroups of students, click on the desired subgroup(s) of demographic variables from the drop-down list. Then, click on the word "and" or "or" to specify the logical relationship between the subgroups selected.
  
  For example, to view students who are hispanic females, first click on "Female" under gender and "hispanic" under ethnicity, then select "and" for the logical relationship. This will display the scores of students who are hispanic AND female. Using the logical relationship "or" will display the scores for all hispanic students and for all female students, independent of each other.
  

The PSSA Data Booklet can be downloaded as either a PDF or Word file. This report is an overview of your PSSA Reading and Mathematics results for the past three years. It offers you quick access to easy-to-understand graphical displays of your PSSA results, including disaggregation by student populations, or "subgroups." Getting Results!^TM Work Online allows you to choose a bar chart or histogram and the report you would like graphed. It also serves as an interactive "worksheet," where you can create and answer questions right next to the graphical data results.
The PACT Results are downloaded as a PDF file. This report is a portrait of your three-year PSSA results broken down into performance level percentages. The Getting Results!^TM Data Submission Packet is downloaded as a PDF file. This reports is a portrait of your three-year PSSA results, disaggregated by student populations and reporting categories.

1. Enter the Roster Report and choose the scores that you are interested in under Scores:
   
2. Optionally, apply a demographic or search filter to narrow your group of students down.
3. In the Roster Report, click on the score column you would like on the x-axis and then click "Plot Against" and select the other score.

Advanced Features

Once you see your Scatter Plot, you can print it directly from the browser by choosing File > Print or by pressing Ctrl+P. Also, you can:

• Click the button to display a regression line with prediction bands.
• Click the button to display the N-count and correlation coefficient for the scatter plot.
• Zoom in on a particular rectangular portion of the graph. First, select a region by:
  1. Click ONCE on the starting point of your region.
  2. Click ONCE on the finishing point of your region.
  Then, click the button to Zoom in. Clicking the button will zoom back out.
• View a Roster Report for a particular region of students by:
  1. Selecting a region of students (see above).
  2. Clicking the button.
     
• View a Roster Report for multiple regions of students by:
  1. Selecting the first region of students (see above).
  2. Clicking on "Create List."
  3. Selecting a subsequent region of students and click on "Add Entry."
  4. Repeating step 3 until you have selected your desired regions. To see what you have selected, click on "Show All Entries." To undo or remove a region, click on the button.
  5. Clicking on "View Roster for List."
     

The control panel inside the Data Interaction system allows administrative users to create users accounts with different privileges at the district, school, and content levels.

Getting Started

The control panel can be accessed by clicking on "Control Panel" located at the top right of the screen.
Please choose an option: "Add User Accounts," "Deactivate User Account," "View User Accounts," or "View User Activity."
Add user accounts allows for the creation of user accounts for a specific district or school.

To create new user accounts, click "Add User Accounts."

Select the type of account (see below) and any other additional information that the system asks for. Enter the new username and password and select "Add User." District Administrator Users have access to all the data for their specified districts. The district administrator is able to:

1. Upload data for data integration.
2. Access the control panel to create, deactivate, modify and view user accounts.

District Normal Users have access to all of the data for their specified districts.

School Administrative Users have access to all the data for their specified schools. The school administrator is able to:

1. Access the control panel to create, deactivate, modify, and view user accounts.

School Normal Users have access to all of the data for their specified schools.

Content Specific Users have access to all the data for their specified contents within their schools.

"Deactivate User Accounts" allows an administrative user to activate or deactivate existing user accounts.

To deactivate or activate existing user accounts, click "Change Status."

"View User Accounts" provides a list of all user accounts and allows for the management of user accounts on a single screen.

From the View Users Accounts page, users can view the account information by username, change the role of any account (i.e. administrative or normal), reset passwords, and activate or deactivate user accounts. The list of user accounts can be filtered by using the drop-down box or the search box at the top of the list.

To view account information for a particular user, click on the corresponding "Account Info" link. Here you can view the user information and deactivate/activate or delete user accounts.

Deactivate User will deactivate the user account. If the account is deactivated by mistake, it can be activated again.

Delete User will remove the username from the list of users. The username cannot be used again once it is deleted.

Change Role allows the administrative user to change the privileges of a specified account. By clicking on “Change Role,” the user can toggle between administrative or normal for the specified account.

Reset Password allows the administrative user to reset passwords for other user accounts.

To reset a password, simply type in the same new password in each text box and click "Change Password."

Activate/Deactivate allows the status of the account to be toggled between active and inactive. When an account is inactive, the username and password will not provide access into Data Interaction. "View User Activity" displays all user activity within the district or school. Detailed information, such as time stamp, IP address, username, and module visited, is provided.

The drop-down box above the table allows for filtering by different time periods. This list can be sorted.

"Customize PSSA Demographic Visibility" allows district level administrative users to control which demographics are visible based on user types and roles.

Unchecking a checkbox will hide that demographic characteristic from the users with the corresponding user type and role.

Number Tested - Number of students on which school, district or state results are based at each aggregation level.

% in Each Performance - The percentage of students at each of the four Performance Levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced.

Total N - Number of students at the school, district, or state level.

Valid N - Number of students on which school, district, or state results are based at each aggregation level.

Mean - The average of the individual score values. It is calculated for Total Raw Score, Total Scale Score, and Reporting Category Raw Score.

Minimum - The minimum of the individual score values. It is calculated for Total Raw Score, Total Scale Score, and Reporting Category Raw Score.

Maximum - The maximum of the individual score values. It is calculated for Total Raw Score, Total Scale Score, and Reporting Category Raw Score.

S.D. - Standard deviation: the average dispersion of individual scores around the mean. It is calculated for Total Raw Score, Total Scale Score, and Reporting Category Raw Score.

Access Levels: There are three levels of access to the PSSA Data Interaction Application: State, District, and School. State-level users can view summary results at the state and district levels. They can also view students' scores and other demographic information; however, individual student information, such as names, birthdate, and student ID, are inaccessible. District-level users can view summary and individual results of their own districts and all the schools within their districts as well as the summary results of the state. School-level users can view summary and individual results of their own schools as well as the summary results of their districts and the state.

A new access level has been added to the PSSA Data Interaction Application. Intermediate Units (IU) are now able to access their summary results as well as the results of each district in their IU. They can also view students' scores and other demographic information; however, individual student information, such as names, birthdate, and student ID, are inaccessible.