Pocono Mountain students meet standards - Pocono Record
October 01, 2011
Even though Pocono Mountain School District is now classified as a district that meets the federally mandated Adequate Yearly Progress standards, there is little time to celebrate.
"We get the results, and we're already looking to next year, what we can do better, where we need to work," district spokeswoman Wendy Frable said. "It's a different class taking the test each time."
According to Pennsylvania Department of Education statistics released Thursday, Pocono Mountain succeeded in making AYP standards for two years in a row. That makes the district AYP compliant for the first time since the standards were instituted in 2001.
The AYP standards had stayed the same up until 2010. For this year — and for the next three years — the testing standards will increase each year until 2014.
"Sometimes it's harder to maintain than it is to achieve," said Milton James, the district's assistant superintendent of secondary education. "We've done it, now we have to keep doing it."
AYP takes into account PSSA testing scores, and graduation, attendance and test participation.
The tests are broken down by district and individual schools. For a school to make AYP, each of its demographic subgroups must achieve proficiency in the testing.
District officials said making AYP has been challenging in the past because many of its schools are diverse and have a large number of those demographic subgroups.
Both Coolbaugh Elementary Center (made AYP) and Clear Run Elementary Center (missed AYP after meeting standards last year) have 29 subgroups that must be proficient at all levels.
No other school in Monroe County has more than 25 subgroups.
"We will continue to face all those challenges directly as a team, so our students can achieve their maximum potential," Superintendent Elizabeth Robison said.
Pocono Mountain West High School has not been considered an AYP school since the standards began, but has greatly improved its proficiency level.
According to district statistics, in 2001, the school was at 25 percent proficiency in math, but in 2011, that percentage was up to 65.7 percent.
District officials said there are data teams that keep an eye on student progress throughout the year and on what subject areas and subgroups need extra help.
"To the ones that are meeting the goals, we enrich, and those that might not be, we remediate," said Amy Altemose, the district's mathematics supervisor. "I think it's allowed us to focus on what's good for all students."
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