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Superintendent’s data director outlines mixed PSSA/Keystone results; district emphasizes growth and curriculum changes
Summary
Dr. Myers presented district PSSA and Keystone data showing middle-school growth and mixed high-school results affected by COVID-era testing shifts; the district will focus on targeted interventions, curriculum changes for math and science, and additional retesting opportunities.
Dr. Myers presented the district’s PSSA and Keystone performance during the Jan. 13 caucus, framing the results as a snapshot that shows both growth and areas needing attention. She said elementary and middle grades showed notable growth in many subjects, while some high-school Keystone results reflected the lingering effects of COVID-era testing schedules and a change in the grade at which students take trigger courses.
Key points: Dr. Myers told the board the district did not meet some state interim proficiency targets but has recorded measurable growth — "green" and "dark blue" indicators on district slides — in many grades. She said changes made to curriculum and to the timing of Keystone trigger courses (moving some assessments from ninth to tenth grade) should improve future cohorts’ results.
Math and science: Dr. Myers said the district has recently revised math curriculum frameworks; algebra placement criteria were tightened to ensure students have stronger foundations before taking higher-level courses. Science frameworks are being rewritten and assessments will shift (the new science assessment window moves some testing to a different grade), which may temporarily change year-to-year comparability.
Special education and costs: She noted contracted services (speech, occupational, behavioral therapy) have increased based on student needs and that consortium placements with neighboring districts saved the district money historically while meeting student needs. Dr. Myers also reported 117 students enrolled in cyber/charter options this year, with per-student tuition estimated in the transcript as roughly $14,000 for regular education and $26,000 for special education.
Next steps: Dr. Myers said administrators will continue grade-level and building-level analysis, retest students where appropriate, and share further breakdowns (for example, the number of students on each graduation pathway). The board asked for additional trend information about Keystone pathways and for future reports to include counts and context for the cohorts behind the percentages.
