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Principals present assessment results: Keystones and PSSAs show mixed proficiency across grades
Summary
Schuylkill Valley principals presented 2023–24 Keystone and PSSA assessment results: high school Keystones lagged state averages in several subjects, while middle and elementary results showed mixed outcomes with notable strengths in language arts and some science measures.
Principals presented recent student assessment results to the Schuylkill Valley School District board on Feb. 24, including Keystone exams (high school) and PSSA results (elementary and middle school).
High school data: The high school reported spring 2024 Keystone proficiency rates of 24% (algebra), 23% (biology) and 44% (literature), compared with state averages of 32%, 40% and 53%, respectively. The principal noted the district is working on curriculum alignment and writing to state standards and said 100% of graduating seniors met the Act 158 graduation requirement through a mix of pathways (36% by Keystone proficiency, 23% by composite score, 21% by alternate assessments such as SAT/ASVAB, 10% via CTE/NOCTE exams, 8% by meeting IEP goals, and 2% by evidence‑based pathways).
Middle school data: Middle school PSSA math proficiency varied by grade: fifth grade 31.4% (state 42.8%), sixth grade 40.8% (state 37.4%), seventh grade 30.1% (state 34%), and eighth grade 23.3% (state 28.5%). The principals noted that most eighth‑grade algebra students scored at statewide levels when compared to the algebra Keystone cohort. Language‑arts proficiency at the middle school exceeded state averages in grades five through eight (fifth 58.5%, sixth 57.7%, seventh 57.4%, eighth 62.9%), and science proficiency for the tested cohort was 60.5% (state 54.5%). Administrators attributed some gains to targeted curriculum work and cited opt‑out rates as a complicating factor for proficiency calculations.
Elementary data: The elementary principal said third‑grade math proficiency was 53% (state 51%) and fourth grade 39% (state 48%); third‑grade ELA matched the state at 55% while fourth grade ELA was 48% (state 51%). Fourth‑grade science proficiency was 79% (state 77%). The district is preparing to transition to digital statewide testing and has local pilots planned for the rollout.
Board members asked questions about cohort trends and how winter retesting differs from spring testing. Administrators said winter results represent smaller retest groups and that curriculum‑writing work across grades aims to align instruction to state standards.
