JERSEY SHORE - After the state Department of Education released a report Friday showing Jersey Shore Area School District as the only county district to not meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) in the 2011-12 PSSA, the administration discussed the measures it will take to boost performance at Monday's school board meeting.
The district was given a warning status because of its graduation rate.
Dr. Dorothy Chappel, assistant superintendent, explained that overall the district's graduation rate was at 77.63 percent. The state's goal is an 85-percent graduation rate.
"The first (goal), obviously, is to improve the graduation rate," Chappel said.
The district first will look at its graduation requirements. Chappel said she believes the district requires the most credits to graduate among the districts in Lycoming County.
A math consultant is expected to visit the district this week to look at the common core introduced by the state. Richard Emery, superintendent, said that the visit is not the direct result of the PSSA scores as it was scheduled before the results were made available.
Chappel also mentioned looking at "cross-curricular integration," which would consist of teachers in other subjects, such as music and family and consumer science, working with math teachers during professional development.
Special education teachers also will be involved in reading and math professional development to create better collaboration, Emery said.
And although the district was unsuccessful in securing a grant last year, which would have put iPads in the hands of students, Chappel said it would try again this year. She said the more the district can expose its students to technology, the better as the state assessments now are being offered online.
After the meeting, Emery said the graduation rate is a "major concern." He said the district will continue to target the ninth-grade students to work on graduating them on time.
Overall, Chappel said the district will continue to work in all areas to keep improving.
"We definitely need to address the areas of warning," she said.
Kelly Wasson, of Crawford Township, said during public comment that the district needs to do something to bring some positive news. She endorsed an idea by Keith Barrows, of Porter Township, to reorganize the district's education foundation.
Barrows said it would raise money for programs and events the district would like to do. Wasson said she hoped the district would do something to "turn this around."
