Kentucky students take the Kentucky Summative Assessments (KSA) to meet federal and state testing requirements. Previously, these tests were called Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP). They are developed by Kentucky teachers and align with the Kentucky Academic Standards in each content area.
KSA are the annual summative assessments given in grades 3 through 8, 10 and 11 to Kentucky public school students. KSA provides content area assessments, including reading and mathematics at all grades, and science, social studies, writing, and editing and mechanics once per grade band (i.e. elementary, middle, and high).
These assessments are Kentucky’s measure of student proficiency and progress on the state content standards. These standards establish goals for what all students should know and be able to do in each grade. KSA are online assessments with only a small percentage of accommodated students taking it on paper. It goes beyond multiple-choice questions to include extended response and technology-enhanced items for students to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Assessments provide critical information about student learning, but no single assessment should ever be the sole factor in making an educational decision. It is important to remember that assessments provide only one measure of student learning, but when combined with grades, classroom activities, unit quizzes and tests, and district-level assessments, the end-of-year assessments can help provide a more complete picture of a child’s abilities over the course of the school year and path toward academic success on these content standards.
Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)
For KSA, students receive a separate scale score and performance level (distinguished, proficient, apprentice, and novice). Writing scores will include editing and mechanics and on-demand writing, along with an overall combined writing score. Scale scores are reported as numbers, while performance levels are descriptive. Performance levels are different by content area. These levels indicate performance on groups of items that measure similar skills. PLDs for each grade and content area are available for review using the links below.
KSA PLDs
AKSA PLDs
Kentucky Academic Standards
Please visit KYstandards.org to find the adopted Kentucky Academic Standards for reading, mathematics, science, social studies, editing and mechanics, and writing.
Important Resources
Test Administration Manuals
- KSA and QSCS Survey Test Administration Manual (Coming Soon)
KSA Math Reference Sheets
Mathematics reference sheets are no longer provided. Instead the formulas are embedded within specific assessment items in the TestNav platform.
Short Answer and Extended Response Templates
Short Answer and Extended Response Answer sheets are no longer provided. Instead the appropriate spaces are embedded within specific assessment items in the TestNav platform.
Rubrics and Writer's Reference Sheets
KSA Writers Reference Sheet
KSA Rubrics