PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A delay in the release of state test scores is complicating the application process for Philadelphia magnet schools.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education still hasn’t released the results of last year’s PSSA and Keystone exams. That normally happens in the summer, but the state said the results may not be verified until November.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said schools were able to set rosters for this new school year, using early information.
“Schools have enough data from the preliminary data to know that. And so we were able to get all of our students rostered and in classrooms,” he said.
But those scores are also required for students to apply to three dozen criteria-based schools, such as Central or Masterman, and applications open on Sept. 8.
“It’s creating enough upset and anxiety that we intend to make the best decision that’s in the best interest of our young people,” Watlington said.
In the next week, the Philadelphia School District will announce how it will handle the school selection process in the absence of PSSA scores.
“We’ve not finalized a decision yet,” Watlington added. “We’re looking at a number of options about how to handle that, because we know for sure we won’t have the data in time.”
Last month, three families who claimed the special admissions policy was unconstitutionally based on race won a $650,000 settlement from the district.
