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Board hears assessment data as members raise concern over falling PSSA math scores
Summary
Board members reviewed recent I-Ready diagnostics and state PSSA results; one presenter reported a drop in eighth-grade math from 19.3% to 18.2% and urged curriculum alignment and further action.
District staff reported completion of a second round of I-Ready diagnostics and described ongoing use of daily data meetings as educators review growth and target attainment ahead of next year’s scheduling.
A board member raised concern about state PSSA results, saying the district’s eighth-grade math rate fell from 19.3% last year to 18.2% this year and that, when compared with nearby districts, the district ranked near the lower end in several measures. “That means our probability was up pretty high that we scored a lot lower than the rest of the districts,” the speaker said, arguing the decline requires attention.
Staff and other board members responded that national and regional test results show slow or stagnant recovery since the pandemic and that the district must continue local interventions. The district said teachers are engaged with data and that training is planned: staff described an upcoming March 17 training with SAS and a plan to expand virtual training to social studies, then ELA and science teachers.
The presenter said teachers are using resources purchased by the district but that not all teachers may be aware of enhancements available through subscriptions; staff are scheduling trainings to increase usage. No formal policy change or vote was taken during the discussion.
Board members requested continued monitoring of assessment alignment, a stronger link between I-Ready diagnostics and PSSA preparation, and follow-up reports on curriculum alignment and outcomes.
