V.W.H Campbell, Post-Gazette Carolyn Davis, principal of the East Hills International Studies Academy, joins in with cheers to psych up students who will be taking the PSSA tests next week. Click photo for larger image.

Seated on the gymnasium floor, waving black-and-gold pompoms, cheering and chanting, the students at East Hills International Studies Academy psyched themselves up for the standardized math and reading tests that begin statewide Monday.

"We have the power" said a sign displayed at yesterday's pep rally.

Indeed, students as young as 7 and 8 have the power to determine whether the academically troubled city schools begin a turnaround or get taken over by the state. While the district has taken steps to help students improve over last year's lackluster test scores, it's too soon, officials said, to expect a big boost from Superintendent Mark Roosevelt's touted academic reforms.

As in past years, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment will be given to students in third, fifth, eighth and eleventh grades. For the first time in Pittsburgh and statewide, the third-graders' test this year will count toward compliance with federal achievement standards.

Also for the first time in Pittsburgh and statewide, the test this year will be given to students in fourth, sixth and seventh grades. The expanded testing is mandated by federal law and will give school districts a better picture of student achievement, state Department of Education spokesman Mike Storm said.

Testing begins Monday and must be concluded by March 31. Schools decide which days to test.

Pittsburgh's scores have been so low the past three years that the state could take over the district in September. Performance of black students is particularly wanting: Nearly 70 percent of black students missed the proficiency mark in reading last year, and nearly 83 percent missed it in math.

Yet Mr. Roosevelt, hired in August to upend the academic system, views better test scores as one part of his agenda. He's drawn a distinction between preparing students for a test and preparing them for the global workplace, and made clear the district must do better at both.

Like students must do on PSSA questions, Mr. Roosevelt designed a series of steps for solving the problem and now must follow through.

So far, he's won board approval of a plan to close 22 schools and move students to higher-performing schools and eight new accelerated learning academies. Lynn Spampinato, deputy superintendent for instruction, assessment and accountability, last week outlined a plan to transform a disjointed curriculum into one that will link instruction across grade levels and better prepare students for the PSSA and other challenges.

Fruits of that work won't show up on PSSA scores to be released in September. "We haven't implemented anything academically yet," Dr. Spampinato said.

In December, at a community meeting held to answer questions about his school-closing and reorganization plan, Mr. Roosevelt predicted signs of a turnaround in a year or two.

Last week, Dr. Spampinato said she hoped improvement would come each year after opening of the eight accelerated learning academies in the fall. She said an assessment of student learning every six weeks -- part of the curriculum overhaul -- also should help the district pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses and allow teachers to make adjustments.

Meanwhile, the district has taken steps to help students improve scores this year, something that could help forestall a state takeover, said Lawrence Hubbard, executive director of academic services.

Mr. Hubbard said state officials released more information about test content than in previous years, helping school officials make sure they cover material students will see on the test.

Because the PSSA requires students to solve practical problems, Mr. Hubbard said, teachers were asked to consider how classes in the arts and humanities can help students crack PSSA questions. For example, Mr. Hubbard said social studies teachers could help students develop chart-reading skills.

Test preparation also is psychological, hence the East Hills pep rally, featuring a mix of chants and songs. The event also featured a skit called "Brain Power" and a dance by the school's "PSSA Divas."

Third-grader Malik Mollett said he'll get a good night's sleep Sunday and eat a hearty breakfast Monday. His mother, Tionti, also attended the pep rally.

"I just wanted him to see I'm behind him," she said.

Involving parents and community groups is an important part of Mr. Roosevelt's turnaround strategy. While Mr. Roosevelt is planning a citywide "campaign for proficiency," the district already helps parents get children ready for the test.

About 25 parents took a practice PSSA March 6 at district headquarters in Oakland. Marissa Simpson, whose son Quinna is a third-grader at Spring Hill Elementary, said the test is complex.

To help Quinna prepare, she's been designing four problems for him each day. Among her questions: How many ways can 20 pennies be divided into groups of equal number and how many eggs are needed to make two-egg omelettes for a family of four?

In a review of district curriculum, the Council of the Great City Schools criticized city schools for setting low goals -- hoping for the minimum improvements in test scores to satisfy state and federal overseers, instead of pushing students to be all they can be.

Mr. Roosevelt and Dr. Spampinato also have noted the problem. They said they not only want to bring all students to proficiency but prepare every student for college, regardless of what any individual will do after graduation.