Key math and reading tests are coming soon for most students in the Kane Area School District.

The tests under the Pennsylvania System of Scholastic Assessment (PSSA) will determine whether the school district is continuing to make “annual yearly progress (AYP).” Schools are required to meet AYP standards under the federal No Child Left Behind program.

Failure to meet the targets could put schools in “warning” status and result in possible sanctions.

PSSA tests in math and reading will be given between March 31 and April 11 for elementary school students in grades 3-5, middle school students in grades 6-8 and juniors at the high school.

PSSA science assessments will be given between April 28 and May 9 for students in fourth, eighth and 11th grades.

“Students are asked to do their very best during the testing process,” Natalie A. Eckert said in a report to the school board. She is the district’s principal in charge of curriculum, federal and special programs.

According to Eckert, parents can help their children “be successful” on the PSSA tests by “ensuring they get proper rest the night before all testing and a nutritional breakfast the day of testing.”

The PSSA tests and answer books have “arrived” in the school district and are “under tight security,” Eckert said in her report.

The state Department of Education representatives again plan to “randomly” visit school districts to “monitor” the PSSA testing, Eckert said.

“This monitoring can take place any time before, during or after the testing window,” Eckert pointed out. If Kane schools are chosen for monitoring, a state Department of Education representative is expected to spend “the day at the school observing daily routine to ensure all testing guidelines, procedures, security measures and regulations are followed,” Eckert said.

The Kane Area School District and its three separate schools currently have AYP status based on results from testing last spring.

The results of this year’s PSSA testing are expected to be known by August.