Assistant superintendent reports Keystone and assessment results; district surpasses state averages in several subjects

Assistant Superintendent Biller Jones presented the district’s most recent assessment results and school event notices during the superintendent’s report at the Sept. 16 meeting.

Biller Jones said 43.3% of Oxford students who took Algebra I scored proficient or above, combining proficient and advanced categories. For biology, Jones said 59% of district students were proficient or advanced versus 41.2% statewide; the district’s advanced percentage in biology was about 26.3% compared with the state’s 16.7%. In literature, Jones reported 66.7% of Oxford students were proficient or advanced compared with about 51% statewide. Jones noted the district is monitoring basic and low-basic categories and continuing targeted supports.

Jones cautioned that statewide assessments are moving to fully digital tests next year and observed that some districts saw score suppression when previous administrations shifted to digital formats; she said the district is preparing for the change. Jones also invited community members to upcoming events including an October 3 First Friday preview and an October 8 reading club at Hopewell.

During public Q&A, a board member asked whether a “0” in the basic category on a literature slide indicated no students in that category; Jones confirmed there were no students categorized as basic on that slide.

The presentation included comparative charts against Pennsylvania results; administrators said they will continue to evaluate data and support strategies through the year.