Testing Schedule Changes (PASS, PSAT, ASVAB)

Throughout October, BPHS Students will participate in several surveys, assignments, exams, and career exploration activities. These are all tied to district initiatives, graduation, and/or state requirements. As in past years, these activities necessitate running some alternative bell schedules to provide students with adequate time to complete these activities. Please see the list of different activities and days with alternative bell schedules for the month of October:

 

 

(Original email sent from the district on 9/14/2023) Bethel Park School District intends to give the survey on Wednesday, Oct. 4, for high school students and the week of Oct. 9 in our other schools. We ask that all students in our schools in grades three through 12 complete this survey. This PASS survey (Pupil Attitudes to Self and School) measures student attitudes about their school experience. Developed by a team of educational psychologists from multiple universities, PASS provides educators with reliable and valid information about how students feel about themselves as learners and how they feel about school. PASS helps schools to positively address confidence, resilience, motivation, and concentration factors about school through this tool. The information also allows us to see schoolwide concerns that the faculty can help address and support as the year progresses. PASS will be administered in the coming year in the Fall and Spring. If you have questions or wish to discuss this further, please contact David Muench at [email protected] or by phone at 412-854-8405.

 

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, BPHS 10th graders will be administered the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). There is no cost for the exam for BPHS 10th graders. Students should put forth their best effort on the PSAT exam since their scores may be used as an alternative pathway to fulfill Keystone Graduation Requirements. During testing, 9th and 11th graders will complete important CEW assignments (Career, Education, Work) needed to meet PA graduation requirements. BPHS 9th graders will also participate in an assembly presented by Steel Center CTC, which provides quality career and technical education to high school students beginning in the 10th grade. BPHS 12th graders are encouraged to use this time to continue

 

their post-secondary investigations, college applications, and scholarship searches in Naviance. 12th-grade students who have transportation can complete these tasks at school or home but must report to Homeroom no later than 9:15 a.m.

 

The PSAT/NMSQT offers a great opportunity for students to begin to prepare for the SAT exam. Each participant will receive an official score report detailing their performance in two areas - EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading and writing) and Mathematics, which they can then use to prepare for the SAT with free online SAT prep provided by the College Board through Khan Academy. Any 11th grader who wishes to be considered for National Merit Scholarships for 2023-24 MUST take the PSAT/NMSQT exam. Any 11th grader wanting to participate in the PSAT must click on the following link to register and pay the $18 fee: 11th Grade PSAT Registration Link. Registration for this event started on 9/25 and will continue through 10/13. Seats are limited. Students in 10th grade are automatically on the list for the PSAT and do not need to take any action.

 

The ASVAB Test will be administered on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The ASVAB is a nationally normed, multi-aptitude test battery that has been provided to high schools and post-secondary schools since 1968. The U.S. Department of Defense developed it. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program was developed with input from a panel of career development experts and designed to encourage students to increase their level of self-knowledge and to understand how that information could be linked to civilian and military occupational characteristics. The ASVAB Program was recently redesigned to be helpful to all students, whether they are planning on immediate employment after high school in civilian or military occupations or further education at a university, community college, or vocational institution. The scores and information of the 10th Grade ASVAB are for students and school personnel only; they are NOT shared with the military. The ASVAB is one of the approved alternative assessments for a qualifying score that could be used to satisfy the Alternative Keystone Pathway for Graduation Policy 217 at BPHS. In addition, any 11th grader who wishes to take the ASVAB may participate this year at no cost and should sign up in the BPHS Counseling Office.

 

If a parent/guardian does not want their son or daughter to participate in the PSAT/NMSQT or ASVAB exam or has any additional questions, don't hesitate to contact the BPHS Counseling Office at 412-854-8595.

 

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