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District officials say PSSA, Keystone scores are recovering; administration presents longitudinal data
Summary
At the Dec. 17 board meeting Lower Moreland administrators presented longitudinal PSSA and Keystone assessment data showing recovery toward pre-pandemic performance in mathematics and science and identified literature/language arts as an area for focused work.
District administrators presented longitudinal assessment data at the Dec. 17, 2024, legislative meeting, showing that Lower Moreland students are trending back toward pre-pandemic proficiency levels on state tests and that the district ranks near the top among Montgomery County districts in several subjects.
In a brief presentation, the administration said it had extended its PSSA comparison window beyond the last three years to include pre-pandemic data (back to 2018) so the board and staff could see longer-term trends and better understand COVID-era impacts. The presentation grouped results by grade and subject area (third through eighth grade for PSSAs and high-school keystones) and compared district proficiency with individual districts in Montgomery County.
Key takeaways presented to the board: - Mathematics: District math proficiency generally has returned close to pre-pandemic levels; the administration said the district is currently fourth in the county for middle grades math and could overtake nearby districts with continued growth. - Science: Science proficiency has recovered and exceeded pre-pandemic levels; the district ranks fifth in the county for PSSA science. - English/language arts (literature): Language-arts proficiency has improved but remains the area needing the most attention; the administration identified literature as a priority at the high-school level in keystone results.
Administration notes and board response: The presenter told the board that staff had shared the findings with faculty and that teachers offered strategies to sustain growth. Board members and administrators said they were encouraged by the trajectory but agreed work remains in language arts. The presentation was described as “rigorous” and useful for faculty planning; administrators said they would provide additional breakdowns if the board requested them.
Speakers listed on the record for this item included Dr. (first name not specified in the transcript) Heinrich (presentation), who led the assessment discussion, and Dr. Best (administration), who thanked staff and referenced the teacher response to the data.
The board accepted the update and did not take separate action on the assessment report at the meeting. Administration said it would provide further data on request.
