Springfield SD presents assessment data showing high county and state rankings
Summary
District administrators presented PSSA, PAETEP and Keystone data Dec. 4, highlighting county- and state-level rankings (examples: grade 5 ELA first in county and third in state; district reported increases in PAETEP classroom‑environment scores).
District administrators used the regular Dec. 4 board meeting to present K–12 assessment and evaluation data, emphasizing recent gains at elementary, middle and high school levels.
Administrators described an organizational approach grouping grades in three‑year spans and said K–2 is purpose‑driven with a focus on routines and foundational literacy, while grades 3–5 emphasize assessment and growth. Presenter(s) cited specific PSSA results for grades 3–5, saying, for example, that in Grade 3 ELA the district placed third in the county and in Grade 5 ELA the district was first in the county and third in the state.
On middle‑grade observations, the presentation referenced PAETEP (the district's online observation platform) and reported a near‑half‑point improvement on a 4‑point scale for a classroom‑environment subcomponent, described in the meeting as a roughly 10% increase; presenters also said areas of growth identified in 2023–24 decreased by 38% in 2024–25, and that areas of strength are outpacing areas of need by approximately 2 to 1 for 2025–26.
High‑school presenters reviewed Keystone exam performance and rankings, citing instances such as being seventh in the state in English Language Arts and ranking first in the county. The presentation included the claim that Springfield had the highest percentage of students scoring Advanced on the Keystone ELA exam among public high schools in the state for 2025.
Presenters credited coordinated instructional work across elementary, middle and high schools for the results, noted use of assessments including iReady and MAP to measure growth, and connected improved observation and coaching practices to reductions in identified areas for teacher growth.
Board members responded with praise and follow‑up questions about sustaining gains; one member asked how the district could "improve on that scoring advantage," and presenters said the district can continue to increase the number of students scoring Advanced.
The presentation concluded with reminders about upcoming arts and athletics events and an invitation for community attendance.
