Mifflin County reports mixed PSSA/Keystone results; district to prioritize math, targeted interventions

Chief Academic Officer Mr. Diarmet told the Mifflin County School District Board that district students produced mixed results on state assessments, with the district trailing state averages in early grades on PSSA ELA and math but performing competitively on several Keystone exams.

Diarmet said district results show the familiar pattern of rising scores in grades 3–5 and a drop in grades 6–7 before another increase by grade 8. “If the dot is on the line, that means our students are growing the equivalent of one year,” Diarmet said while describing the state growth metric used to assess progress on Keystone exams.

The report outlined subject‑level findings: district third‑grade ELA and math lag the state average, fourth‑grade science remains relatively strong, and fifth‑grade ELA exceeded the state average while fifth‑grade math improved from the previous year. At middle school grades, Diarmet said PSSA math proficiency statewide is low — “less than 35” percent proficient or advanced in some grades — and the district sees a corresponding decline at sixth and seventh grades. Keystone performance (algebra 1, biology, literature) generally tracked the state, he said.

Why this matters: state assessments factor into Act 158 pathways to graduation, and the district uses achievement and growth measures to identify school improvement needs. Diarmet said Mifflin County High School remains under an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) identification, with consultants and monthly meetings in place to address that status.

Board members pressed for specifics on planned actions. Diarmet described a multi‑pronged approach: finishing a K–5 math pilot, rewriting K–5 math curriculum over the summer, scheduling professional development for teachers before rollout, and continuing algebra supports at the secondary level. The district added “Math 9” for ninth graders and plans a new applied‑math course (referred to as Math 10 in discussion) to give students hands‑on, career‑relevant math before taking required algebra 1. Diarmet said the district will use academy partnerships to develop applied lessons and a catalog of academy‑based activities teachers can use in math instruction.

The chief academic officer also described schedule changes at the middle school that created block periods to deliver targeted interventions in ELA, and similar efforts to find additional intervention time for math. He said counselors and middle school staff had created extra math time for sixth‑grade Level 3 students this year.

Board members repeatedly emphasized preserving electives and arts while pursuing academic gains. “If all we want to do is focus on our math scores … we can put a kid in math class after math class,” Diarmet said, adding he did not want to sacrifice extracurricular and arts programs that board members praised earlier in the meeting.

The presentation included data on AP enrollment and exam performance (many courses outperformed national averages) and noted that no students in the last two years had failed to graduate due to Act 158 pathways. Diarmet said the district will continue MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) efforts and integrate STEEL (science, technology, engineering, environmental literacy and sustainability) standards to combine science and ELA skills and preserve instructional time.

Board and public reaction: board members praised the district’s elective programs and asked that course‑selection counseling and parent communication begin in eighth grade, so students headed to the academy can select appropriate preparatory courses. A parent speaker during public comment urged the board not to “deter a student who is head and shoulders beyond” by discouraging academy participation.

What’s next: Diarmet said curriculum work and professional development will continue over the summer, the district will pilot and refine math 9/math 10 sequences, and the board will review school plans tied to Title I and state improvement designations as they are completed.