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*2009 - 44% (13% below basic). State - 40% <ref>{{cite web |url=http://thetimes-tribune.com/data-center/grading-our-schools#axzz1AEtaWzpF |title=Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results |author=The Times-Tribune |year=2009}}</ref>
*2009 - 44% (13% below basic). State - 40% <ref>{{cite web |url=http://thetimes-tribune.com/data-center/grading-our-schools#axzz1AEtaWzpF |title=Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results |author=The Times-Tribune |year=2009}}</ref>
*2008 - 50% (12% below basic). State - 39%
*2008 - 50% (12% below basic). State - 39%

====College Remediation Rate====
According to a [[Pennsylvania Department of Education]] study released in January 2009, '''18% of the Brockway Area School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading''' before they were prepared to take college level courses in the [[Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education]] or community colleges. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdehighered.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=space&name=Dir&id=cached&psname=Dir&psid=1&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true&control=DirRepost&rangeFrom=121&rangeTo=140&subfolderID=5358&DirMode=1 |title=Pennsylvania College Remediation Report, |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.<ref>National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008</ref> Per the [[Pennsylvania Department of Education]], one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

===Dual enrollment===
Brockway Senior High School offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/dual_enrollment/18126 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |title=Dual Enrollment Guidelines |year=2010}}</ref> Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patrac.org/ |title=Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement |author=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |date=March 2010}}</ref>

===Graduation requirements===
Brockway Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate including: Math - 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 4 credits, Arts and Humanities 2 credits, Health and Physical Education 2 credits and electives 6 credits. <ref>Brockway Area School District Administration, Program of Studies 2011-12, 2011</ref>

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. Beginning with the Class of 2015, students will be required to have 4 science credits<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.24.html |title=Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements |author=Pennsylvania State Board of Education}}</ref> At Brockway the stduents must complete 4 out of 5 choices: participate in at least 2 Career Activities; Complete a Career Interest Survey; Complete a Formal Resume; Participate in two community volunteer projects, activities or organizations and participate in two job shadowing experiences.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in [[Algebra]] I, [[Biology]], English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://static.pdesas.org/Content/Documents/Keystone_Exam_Program_Overview.pdf |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |title=Keystone Exam Overview |year=2010}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pdesas.org/module/assessment/Keystone.aspx |title=Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=September 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-2/56.html |title=Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4 |author=Pennsylvania State Board of Education |year=2010}}</ref> In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/keystone_exams/20436 |title=Keystone Exams |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2011}}</ref> Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

===SAT Scores===
From January to June 2011, 45 Brockway students took the [[SAT]] exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 491. The Math average score was 512. The Writing average score was 466. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://pa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/data_and_statistics/7202/sat_and_act_scores/674663 |title=Public School SAT Scores 2011 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2011}}</ref> Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/policyblog/detail/sat-scores-by-state-2011 |title=SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania |author=College Board |date=September 2011}}</ref> In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/09/while_us_sat_scores_dip_across.html |title=While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady |work-NJ.com |date=September 2011}}</ref>

===Seventh Eighth grades===
'''PSSA Results: '''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
'''8th Grade Reading'''
*2011 - 70% on grade level (20% below basic). State - 81.8% .
*2010 - 66% (18% below basic). State - 81%
*2009 - 77% (10% below basic), State - 80%
*2008 - 74% (13% below basic), State - 78%
*2007 - 78% (6% below basic), State - 75%
{{col-2-of-2}}
'''8th Grade Math:'''
*2011 - 70% (21% below basic). State - 76.9%
*2010 - 61% (26% below basic). State - 75%
*2009 - 67% (17% below basic). State - 71%
*2008 - 62% (19% below basic). State - 70%
*2007 - 54% (21% below basic). State - 68%
{{col-end}}

'''8th Grade Science:'''
*2011 - 57% on grade level (28% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
*2010 - 53% (28% below basic). State – 57% <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education Report |title=Science PSSA 2010 by Schools |date=August 2010}}</ref>
*2009 - 62% (17% below basic). State - 55% <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2008-2009_pssa_and_ayp_results/600286 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education Report |title=Science PSSA 2009 by Schools |date=August 2009}}</ref>
*2008 - 50% (21% below basic). State - 52% <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2007-2008_pssa_and_ayp_results/507514 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education Report |title=Science PSSA 2008 by Schools |date=August 15, 2008}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
'''7th Grade Reading'''
*2011 - 73% on grade level (8% below basic). State – 76%
*2010 - 66% (17% below basic). State - 73%
*2009 - 58% (19% below basic). State - 71%
*2008 - 58% (22% below basic). State - 70%
*2007 - 68% (14% below basic). State - 67%
{{col-2-of-2}}
'''7th Grade Math:'''
*2011 - 82% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 78.6%
*2010 - 77% (12% below basic). State - 77%
*2009 - 59% (21% below basic), State - 75%
*2008 - 63% (18% below basic), State - 71%
*2007 - 70% (17% below basic), State - 67%
{{col-end}}

===Elementary School===
Brockway Area Elementary School is located at 40 North Street, Brockway. In 2010, the school had 565 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 6th grade, with 268 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 41 teachers yielding a student:teacher ratio of 13:1. <ref>National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of data - Brockway Area Elementary School, 2010</ref> In 2010 and 2011, the school achieved '''AYP''' status. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://paayp.emetric.net/School/Overview/c33/106330703/5148 |title=Brockway Area Elementary School AYP Overview |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=September 29, 2011}}</ref>

;PSSA Results:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
'''6th Grade Reading:'''
*2011 - 73% on grade level (6% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://paayp.emetric.net/Content/reportcards/RC11S106330703000005148.PDF |title=Brockway Area Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=September 29, 2011}}</ref>
*2010 - 56% (11% below basic). State - 68%
*2009 - 65% (14% below basic), State - 67%
*2008 - 51% (22% below basic), State - 67%
*2007 - 65% (14% below basic), State - 63%
{{col-2-of-2}}
'''6th Grade Math:'''
*2011 - 89% on grade level, 71% advanced. State - 78.8%
*2010 - 91%, 61% advanced. State - 78%
*2009 - 74% (11% below basic), State - 75%
*2008 - 64% (16% below basic), State - 72%
*2007 - 62% (13% below basic), State - 69%
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
'''5th Grade Reading:'''
*2011 - 65% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 67.3%
*2010 - 78% (6% below basic). State – 64%
*2009 - 57% (13% below basic), State - 64%
*2008 - 64% (24% below basic), State - 62%
*2007 - 54% (25% below basic), State - 60%
{{col-2-of-2}}
'''5th Grade Math:'''
*2011 - 81% on grade level 52% advanced. State - 74%
*2010 - 89%, 55% advanced. State - 76.3%
*2009 - 81%, 39% advanced. State - 73%
*2008 - 71% (7% below basic), State - 73%
*2007 - 73% (14% below basic), State - 71%
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
;4th Grade Reading:
*2011 - 69% (11% below basic), State – 73.3%
*2010 - 73% (9% below basic), State - 73%
*2009 - 73% (6% below basic), State - 72%
*2008 - 60% (16% below basic), State - 70%
*2007 - 75% (9% below basic), State - 60%
{{col-2-of-2}}
;4th Grade Math:
*2011 - 83%, 61% Advanced. State – 85.3%
*2010 - 94%, 51% Advanced. State - 84%
*2009 - 90%, 58% Advanced. State - 81%
*2008 - 74%, 40% Advanced. State - 80%
*2007 - 80% 46% Advanced, State - 78%
{{col-end}}

;4th Grade Science:
*2011 - 83%, (8% below basic), State – 82.9%
*2010 - 84%, (8% below basic), State - 81%
*2009 - 92%, (2% below basic), State - 83%
*2008 - 74%, (8% below basic), State - 81%

{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
;3rd Grade Reading:
*2011 - 86%, (7% below basic), State – 77%
*2010 - 86%, (1% below basic), State - 75%
*2009 - 85%, (4% below basic), State - 77%
*2008 - 85%, (3% below basic), State - 70%
*2007 - 72%, (8% below basic), State - 72%
{{col-2-of-2}}
;3rd Grade Math:
*2011 - 90%, 60% advanced. State – 83%
*2010 - 90%, 59% advanced. State - 84%
*2009 - 98%, 53% advanced. State - 81%
*2008 - 92%, 34% advanced. State - 80%
*2007 - 85%, (1% below basic), State - 78%
{{col-end}}

==Special Education==
In December 2010, the district administration reported that 147 pupils or 13% of the district's pupils received [[Special Education]] services. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://penndata.hbg.psu.edu/BSEReports/PR_AlphaList.aspx |title=Brockway Area School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets |author=Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Services |date=2009-2010}}</ref>

In order to comply with state and federal [[Individuals with Disabilities Education Act]] rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress .<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=2157&&PageID=401659&mode=2 |title=Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education Services |author=Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education |year=2008}}</ref> To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department. <ref>{{cite web |url |title=Procedural Safeguards Notice |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education - School District Administration |date=January 6, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b-ssd.org/PDFs/GaskinFactSheet.pdf |title=Gaskin Settlement Agreement Overview Facts Sheet |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education |date=September 2005}}</ref>

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/education_budget/8699/proposed_special_education_funding_-/539261 |title=Pennsylvania Special Education Funding |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education}}</ref> The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piccola.org/education.htm#Regulations |title=Senate Education Committee Holds Hearing on Special Education Funding & Accountability |author=Senator Patrick Browne |date=November 1, 2011}}</ref> The state requires each district to have a three year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piccola.org/education/2011/110111/agenda.htm |title=Public Hearing:
Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education Amy Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piccola.org/education/2011/110111/Kintisch.pdf |title=Public Hearing:
Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony |author=Baruch Kintisch Education Law Center |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>

The School District received a $698,231 supplement for special education services in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/7234/budget/930276 |title=Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011 |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=July 2010}}</ref> For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/education_budget/8699/proposed_special_education_funding_-/539261 |title=Special Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |year=2011}}</ref>

===Gifted Education===
The District Administration reported that 63 or 5.74% of its students were gifted in 2009. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://penndata.hbg.psu.edu/BSEReports/docs/Ad_Hoc_Gifted_0910_from_Revised_Count.pdf |title=Gifted Students as Percentage of Total Enrollment by School District/Charter School |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date= Revised December 1, 2009 Child Count (Collected July 2010)}}</ref> By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter16/chap16toc.html |title=CHAPTER 16. Special Education For Gifted Students |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania School Board |accessdate=February 4, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_123405_52894_7393_509493_43/http;/pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/pde_community_content/dsf_migration/k12/gifted_education/content/general_information/parents__guide/odr_notice_and_forms_latest2.pdf |title= Special Education for Gifted Students Notice of Parental rights |author=Pennsylvania Department of Education |date=March 26, 2010}}</ref>


==Enrollment==
==Enrollment==

Revision as of 11:39, 25 March 2012

Brockway Area School District
Address
40 North Street

Brockway
,
Elk, Jefferson
,
Pennsylvania
15824

United States
Information
TypePublic
SuperintendentMr. Dan Hawkins [1]
GradesK-12
Enrollment1033
 • Kindergarten59
 • Grade 176
 • Grade 280
 • Grade 371
 • Grade 464
 • Grade 587
 • Grade 6102
 • Grade 784
 • Grade 899
 • Grade 974
 • Grade 1082
 • Grade 1180
 • Grade 1275
MascotRovers
Websitehttp://www.brockway.k12.pa.us/
Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

The Brockway Area School District in a small, rural public school district located in north central Pennsylvania, USA. The district encompasses approximately 147 square miles (380 km2) spanning portions of two counties. In Elk County it covers a small portion of Horton Township. In Jefferson County it covers the Borough of Brockway and Polk Township, Snyder Township and Washington Township. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,455. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $17,828, while the median family income was $40,732. [2] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 [3] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010. [4] According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the BASD provided basic educational services to 1,150 pupils through the employment of 89 teachers, 50 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators. Brockway Area School District received more than $9 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.

The district operates one elementary school and Brockway Area Junior/Senior High School. The district is served within the Riverview Intermediate Unit 6 region. The intermediate unit provides support services and therapy to special education students. It also provides training to school personnel.

Schools

Governance

The school district is governed by a locally elected, 9 member board (serve four year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[5] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring on grade level reading and math skills.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[6]

Academic achievement

Brockway Area School District was ranked 365th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the reading, writing, math and three years of science PSSAs.[7]

  • 2010 - 333rd [8]
  • 2009 - 317th
  • 2008 - 302nd
  • 2007 - 329th out of 501 school districts.[9]

In 2011, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Brockway Area School District ranked 201st. In 2010, the district was 313th. The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[10]

Graduation Rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 92%. [11] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Brockway Junior Senior High School's rate was 92% for 2010.[12]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Junior Senior High School

Brockway Junior Senior High School is located at 100 Alexander Street, Brockway. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 490 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 186 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch. The school employed 40 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 12:1. [17] In 2010 and 2011, the school achieved AYP status. [18]

11th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 76% on grade level, (13% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level. [19]
  • 2010 - 64% on grade level (24% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders are on grade level. [20]
  • 2009 - 65% (17% below basic). State - 65% [21]
  • 2008 - 68% (16% below basic). State - 65% [22]
  • 2007 - 53% (18% below basic). State - 65% [23]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 57% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level. [24]
  • 2010 - 57% (26% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2009 - 48% (22% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 58% (21% below basic). State - 56%
  • 2007 - 57% (23% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 57% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level. [25]
  • 2010 - 35% (19% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 44% (13% below basic). State - 40% [26]
  • 2008 - 50% (12% below basic). State - 39%

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 18% of the Brockway Area School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. [27] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.[28] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

Brockway Senior High School offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books [29] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[30]

Graduation requirements

Brockway Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate including: Math - 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 4 credits, Arts and Humanities 2 credits, Health and Physical Education 2 credits and electives 6 credits. [31]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. Beginning with the Class of 2015, students will be required to have 4 science credits[32] At Brockway the stduents must complete 4 out of 5 choices: participate in at least 2 Career Activities; Complete a Career Interest Survey; Complete a Formal Resume; Participate in two community volunteer projects, activities or organizations and participate in two job shadowing experiences.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade. [33] [34] [35] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. [36] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

SAT Scores

From January to June 2011, 45 Brockway students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 491. The Math average score was 512. The Writing average score was 466. [37] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. [38] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing. [39]

Seventh Eighth grades

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 57% on grade level (28% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 53% (28% below basic). State – 57% [40]
  • 2009 - 62% (17% below basic). State - 55% [41]
  • 2008 - 50% (21% below basic). State - 52% [42]

Elementary School

Brockway Area Elementary School is located at 40 North Street, Brockway. In 2010, the school had 565 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 6th grade, with 268 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 41 teachers yielding a student:teacher ratio of 13:1. [43] In 2010 and 2011, the school achieved AYP status. [44]

PSSA Results
4th Grade Science
  • 2011 - 83%, (8% below basic), State – 82.9%
  • 2010 - 84%, (8% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2009 - 92%, (2% below basic), State - 83%
  • 2008 - 74%, (8% below basic), State - 81%

Special Education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 147 pupils or 13% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. [46]

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress .[47] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department. [48] [49]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding. [50] The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs. [51] The state requires each district to have a three year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. [52] Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education. [53]

The School District received a $698,231 supplement for special education services in 2010.[54] For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[55]

Gifted Education

The District Administration reported that 63 or 5.74% of its students were gifted in 2009. [56] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[57] [58]

Enrollment

Brockway Area School District has a low enrollment which is projected to continue to decline through 2015.

Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline. More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).[59] As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools continue to rise.

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the United States. In Pennsylvania, 80% of school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts had enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.[60] This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[61] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[62]

References

  1. ^ "Business Office". Brockway Area School District. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  2. ^ US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  3. ^ US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
  4. ^ US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  5. ^ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  6. ^ The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". Retrieved May 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 4, 2011). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings information 2011". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 30, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007.
  10. ^ "Overachiever statewide ranking". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 4, 2011.
  11. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Brockway Area School District AYP Data Table".
  12. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  13. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Brockway Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card Data table".
  14. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  15. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  16. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  17. ^ National Center for Education Statistics - Common Care Data - Brockway Junior Senior High School, 2010
  18. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Brockway Junior Senior HIgh School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011".
  19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  20. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  21. ^ The Times-Tribune. (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results,".
  22. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  23. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
  24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Brockway Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  25. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  26. ^ The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  27. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
  28. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  29. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  30. ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  31. ^ Brockway Area School District Administration, Program of Studies 2011-12, 2011
  32. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  33. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  34. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  35. ^ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  36. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  37. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  38. ^ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  39. ^ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". September 2011. {{cite web}}: Text "work-NJ.com" ignored (help)
  40. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2010). "Science PSSA 2010 by Schools".
  41. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2009). "Science PSSA 2009 by Schools".
  42. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 15, 2008). "Science PSSA 2008 by Schools".
  43. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of data - Brockway Area Elementary School, 2010
  44. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Brockway Area Elementary School AYP Overview".
  45. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Brockway Area Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  46. ^ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Services (2009–2010). "Brockway Area School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  47. ^ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education (2008). "Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education Services".
  48. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education - School District Administration (January 6, 2011). "Procedural Safeguards Notice". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "url" ignored (help)
  49. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (September 2005). "Gaskin Settlement Agreement Overview Facts Sheet" (PDF).
  50. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania Special Education Funding".
  51. ^ Senator Patrick Browne (November 1, 2011). "Senate Education Committee Holds Hearing on Special Education Funding & Accountability".
  52. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Amy Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary (November 11, 2011). "Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony". {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 16 (help)
  53. ^ Baruch Kintisch Education Law Center (November 11, 2011). "Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony" (PDF). {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 16 (help)
  54. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2010). "Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011".
  55. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  56. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (Revised December 1, 2009 Child Count (Collected July 2010)). "Gifted Students as Percentage of Total Enrollment by School District/Charter School" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania School Board. "CHAPTER 16. Special Education For Gifted Students". Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  58. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 26, 2010). "Special Education for Gifted Students Notice of Parental rights" (PDF).
  59. ^ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania., "Research Analyzes Rural School District Enrollment and Building Capacity", October 2009
  60. ^ Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, Study of the Cost Effectiveness of Consolidating Pennsylvania School Districts, 2007.
  61. ^ Rendell, E. & Soderberg, M. (2009). Pennsylvania school district consolidation. 2009-10 Executive Budget Fast Facts. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor.
  62. ^ Study of the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania districts. New York: Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Services. 2007, p. 6.


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