Saskatchewan Student Assessment Program
The Saskatchewan Student Assessment (SSA) program will help Saskatchewan students to:
- be prepared for success with the skills and knowledge they need for the future;
- be supported in their learning; and,
- have an education that is globally recognized.
1. Overview
The SSA program will assess students' knowledge, skills and academic progress in a consistent and objective manner based on Saskatchewan’s curriculum. The data will provide valuable information for educators, policymakers and parents/caregivers about the effectiveness of educational programs and identify areas where improvement is needed.
Once fully implemented, all students following the regular curriculum in publicly funded schools in Grades 5 and 9 will participate in a mathematics assessment. Students in Grades 4, 7 and 10 will participate in an English language arts assessment.
2. Assessment Schedule
The SSA program will be implemented in stages, beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
2025-26
-
Field test English Language Arts (ELA) 7, Math 5 and Math 9
- ELA 7: May 25 – June 5, 2026
- Math 5 and Math 9: June 8 – June 19, 2026
-
Classroom Engagements for ELA 4 and ELA 10
- End of May, beginning of June
2026-27
- Implementation for ELA 7, Math 5 and Math 9 (Results returned to students, parents, teachers, school organizations)
- Field Test ELA 4
- Pre-Field Test ELA 10 with students on the new curriculum
2027-28
- Implementation for ELA 4, ELA 7, Math 5 and Math 9 (Results returned to students, parents, teachers, school organizations)
- Field Test ELA 10 with all students
2028-29
- Full program implementation with results returned to students, parents, teachers and school organizations in ELA 4, 7, 10 and Math 5, 9.
3. Information for Parents/Caregivers and Students
Assessment is a critical part of a student’s learning journey. Results from the Saskatchewan Student Assessment program will allow parents/caregivers and students to work with their teachers to identify strengths and areas where support may be required.
Participation
All students in publicly funded schools in the grade of assessment will be expected to participate in the Saskatchewan Student Assessment program.
Home-based learners are invited to participate in the Saskatchewan Student Assessment program. If they choose to participate, they can work with the school division where they are registered to attend the writing sessions being held at the school.
Accommodations
Students requiring accommodation on the assessment will be provided the same accommodations they are accustomed to receiving in the classroom.
Practice Assessments
Students and parents/caregivers will be able to become familiar with the format and online delivery of the assessments by accessing the practice assessments for each grade and subject being assessed.
4. Information for Teachers and Administrators
Assessments will be based on the curriculum taught throughout the year and developed in collaboration with Saskatchewan teachers. Results from the Saskatchewan Student Assessment program will allow educators to track progress and make decisions to improve teaching and learning.
Before, During and After the Assessment
Information will be made available to support teachers and administrators before, during and after the assessments.
Teacher Involvement
There are multiple opportunities for teachers to get involved in the development of the provincial assessments throughout the school year. Teachers have opportunities to participate in developing and validating questions and in scoring the written components of the English language arts assessments. Calls for teachers to participate in any of these aspects of program development will go out through school organizations’ assessment points of contact.
5. Assessments
Teachers, students and parents/caregivers can access practice tests and resources through the online assessment platform.
6. Additional Resources
Additional resources and information:
- Parents/Caregivers and Students
- Teachers and Administrators