PHILADELPHIA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education is looking into a newly surfaced report indicating possible cheating on state standardized tests.

The data forensics report examines results of the 2009 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, or PSSA. The annual tests measure math and reading skills in students statewide.

The report flags exam scores in about 35 districts, plus some charter schools. It does not assert cheating occurred, but says that certain answer patterns and erasures make the results suspicious.

The 2-year-old report by Data Recognition was first obtained and published this week by The Notebook, an independent news service covering the Philadelphia school district.

Education Department spokesman Timothy Eller said Tuesday that officials are examining the report, which was issued under a previous administration.