Quaker Valley Meets AYP Benchmarks, Plans Meeting to Discuss Results

Quaker Valley School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress at every level on state standardized tests, according to the 2011-12 state System of School Assessment and AYP results on the state Department of Education web site.

Tina Vojtko, district spokeswoman, said Quaker Valley was one of only five districts in Allegheny County that made AYP student performance targets on every level, including subgroups. PSSAs are one of the tools used to evaluate students and school success.

"That's something to really be proud of," Vojtko said. 

The district plans to host an informational meeting for parents to discuss assessment results and curriculum updates. The meeting takes place twice at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Quaker Valley High School auditorium.

District officials will present information regarding Quaker Valley's test results, changes to the assessment calendar as well as national common core standards.

Superintendent Joseph Clapper will discuss challenges affecting the state's 500 public school districts and provide an overview of the district’s demographics – and how Quaker Valley compares to others in the region.

Vojtko said public school districts have a lot to deal with, including increased targets and lower funding.

Other highlights of the parent meeting: 

• Jillian Bichsel, director of academic services, will outline changes to student assessments that are being implemented by the state Department of Education. High school students and middle school students currently taking Algebra I will be impacted during the 2012-13 school year and beyond as the grade 11 PSSA exams are eliminated and replaced with end-of-course Keystone Exams. In addition, Bichsel will present an overview of the Common Core Standards and their impact on the district’s curriculum and instruction.

• Adrienne Floro, district assessment coordinator and assistant middle school principal, and Leah Wells, school psychologist, will present the 2011-12 PSSA results for grades 3-5, grade 8 and grade 11. In addition, information from the past few years will be discussed as well as Annual Measureable Achievement Objectives, which impacts Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

• Linda Conlon, academic specialist, will present additional assessment data from the high school including Advanced Placement, SAT and PSAT scores and how Quaker Valley compares regionally, statewide and nationally.

An overview of the 2012-13 instructional goals for each school also will be shared and parents will have the opportunity for questions and further discussion.

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