Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are NCLB related examination given in the Spring of each school year. Seventh graders have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards – Mathematics.    7th Grade Math: Mount Carmel Area Elementary School is located at 630 W 5th Street, Mount Carmel. In 2016, the school's enrollment was 863 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 71% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 18.6% of the pupils receive special education services, while none are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides both a taxpayer-funded preschool and full-day kindergarten. The school is a federally designated Title I school. In 2013, Mount Carmel Area Elementary School's enrollment was 869 pupils in preschool through 6th, with 61% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 13.9% of the pupils receive special education services, while 1.7% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the 53 teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school had provided full-day kindergarten since 2008. The school is a federally designated Title I school. In 2010, Mount Carmel Area Elementary School had 834 students enrolled in grades preschool through 6th grades, with 452 receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 58 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1. SPP 73.2 out of 100 points. Mount Carmel Area Elementary School PSSA mandated testing results were: 60% of students in 6th grade were on grade level in reading, while just 27% of students demonstrated on grade level mathematics skills.