Pennsylvania Department of Education
COMMONWEALTH
OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
333 MARKET STREET
HARRISBURG, PA 17126-0333
Academic Standards and Assessment Report
Tuesday,
February 26, 2008
Entity: Scranton SD
Address: 425 N Washington Ave
Scranton, PA 18503-1305
Phone:
Contact Name:
Organization Description
The Scranton City School District is located in Lackawanna County in Northeastern Pennsylvania and serves over 9,800 students in an urban setting. Scranton's population is close to 75,000. Students attend 18 schools ranging in size from small neighborhood elementary schools to large comprehensive high schools. The K-12 program is organized as follows:
Pre-K — 5 - Elementary Schools - 13 buildings
Grades 6 — 8 - Intermediate Schools - 3 buildings
Grades 9 — 12 - High Schools - 2 buildings
In addition, thirteen
preschool classes operate in tweleve different
settings. Currently, the needs of English Language Learners, Special Education
Students and Gifted Students are served at all 18 schools. The
district also supports student placements in several alternative schools for
disruptive and truant youth that include; SSD-SAVES Program ,
SSD-Yellowwood Alternative School, NEIU #19 Learning Center, Bethesda
Alternative School, Lackawanna County Detention Center, Lackawanna County
Prison and the SSD-School Age Mothers Program.
The district recently completed a revision of its' K-12 curriculum and it
is now fully aligned with the Pennsylvania Standards. The district's
curriculum committee recommended and the district adopted a
K-12 assessment program, which includes; Dibels
- Kindergarten to grade 2 and 4Sight Assessment grades 3 - 11 four
times per year. The district will continue the use of the
Development Reading Assessment along with the 4Sight Benchmark Assessments in
grades 3-8 for Reading, but only for students performing at the basic and below
levels. The 4Sight Math Assessment will be given in grades 3 -
11. An annual assessment calendar has been developed to include
professional development time for teachers and administrators to analyze data
and to focus instruction on areas of identified needs. Data from each
assessment are used by building & classroom level teams to evaluate the
curriculum and to help drive the instructional program. Likewise, groups of
professionals continue to determine benchmarks and local assessments aligned
with standards from K to12. The use of data-driven decisions
assist the district in this process and in the monitoring and
adjustment of all of programs to constantly improve student achievement at
every level.
Over the past 5 years, the distrct has been
consistently increasing in student population at an average of 200 students per
year. In order to address this growth, the School Board is presently in
the process of approving plans to renovate and expand two existing elementary
schools, closing two older elementary schools, building a new elementary
center to replace the two closed ones and renovating the district
administration building.
Core Purpose
Mission
The Scranton School District, in partnership with the entire community, enables all students to embrace diversity and achieve their full potential as they grow into responsible, productive, life long learners.
Vision
The vision of the Scranton City School District is to
continually strive to educate all students in collaboration with parents, teachers,
administrators and community members. The district continually strives to
present new and innovative course offerings and works to foster meaningful
collaborations with the business community, institutions of higher
learning and community members, to ensure that all students have access to
the resources and facilities that will provide them with an appropriate forum
for the development and demonstration of knowledge and skills that will
best address their individual needs.
The faculty and administration continually strive to maintain instructional
programs that meet and exceed the standards identified by the Pennsylvania
Academic Standards. To facilitate student learning, educators, in partnership
with families and community members, strive to meet the needs of all students.
This dedication contributes to the cultivation of an environment that shapes
the intellectual, emotional and social growth of students. It is essential that
all learners work collaboratively with others in order to gain greater appreciation
for the diverse gifts possessed by fellow human beings.
This vision includes the continued dedication to work together with parents,
families and communities to provide students with opportunities to acquire
knowledge, develop integrity, process information, think critically, work
independently, collaborate with others, and adapt to change.
Shared Values
· Education in a safe and motivating environment is a shared responsibility of the entire community;
· Academic, interpersonal, and career exploration skills are keys to success in a technological global society;
· Diversity is to be recognized, encouraged, and celebrated;
· Standards-based curriculum and instruction ensure equitable learning opportunities for all children.
Goals
Organizational Goals
The Scranton School District will:
1. Increase communication and consistency in policies and practices among buildings;
2. Upgrade technology
and plan for future growth;
3. Increase community involvement in schools;
4. Upgrade facilities.
Educational Goals
The Scranton School District will:
1. Revise the graduation project;
2. Continue to update all curriculum areas and align them with PA Standards;
3. Adopt a standards-based science program for elementary students;
4. Implement a district wide assessment plan;
5. Close the achievement
gap among subgroups, as identified by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002;
6. Expand the use of technology by administrators, teachers and
students;
7. Provide supports so that all students graduate in four years;
8. Improve student achievement;
9. Provide continuous staff development;
10. Continue to value arts as a key component of a well-rounded education.
Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for districts and schools that
graduate seniors)
Description: The percentage of students who graduate from Scranton High
School and West Scranton High School in four years will increase 1% per year.
Goal: Improving Community Relations
Description: Scranton City School District strives to maintain active
communication regarding district and school based events.
Goal: MATHEMATICS
Description: At least 56% of all students will be proficient in
Mathematics, as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.
Goal: READING
Description: At least 63% of all students will be proficient in Reading,
as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.
Goal: STUDENT ATTENDANCE (any school that does not graduate seniors)
Description: Student attendance will meet a 90% threshold and/or show
growth.
Goal: STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN STATE ASSESSMENTS
Description: At least 95% of eligible students will participate in
required state-wide assessments.
Academic Standards
Academic standards describe
the knowledge and skills that students should know and be able to demonstrate
throughout their public school careers. The Scranton School District provides
for attainment of the academic standards as per Chapter 4, Section 4.12. The
Pennsylvania Academic Standards guide the educational program in these
areas in the district:
1. Science and Technology: study of the natural world and facts, principles,
theories, and laws in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth
sciences. Technology is the application of science to enable societal
development including foot and fiber production, manufacturing, building,
transportation, and communication. Science and technology share the use of the
senses, sciences processes, inquiry, investigation, analysis, and problem
solving strategies.
2. Environment and Ecology: understanding the components of ecological systems
and their interrelationships with social systems and technologies. These
components incorporate the disciplines of resource management, agricultural
diversity, government, and the impact of human actions on natural systems. The
interaction leads to the study of watersheds, threatened and endangered
species, pest management, and the development of laws and regulations.
3. Social Studies:
A. History: study of the record of human experience including important events;
interactions of culture, race and ideas; the nature of prejudice; change and
continuity in political systems; effects of technology; importance of global -
international perspectives; and the integration of geography, economics, and
civics studies of major developments in the history of Pennsylvania, the United
States, and the World.
B. Geography: study of relationships among people, places, and environments, of
geographic tools and methods, characteristics of place, concept of region and
physical processes.
C. Civics and Government: study of the United States constitutional democracy,
its values and principles, study of the Pennsylvania Constitution and
government including the study of principles, operations, and documents of
governments, rights and responsibilities of citizens, how governments work and
international relations.
D. Economics: study of how individuals and societies choose to use resources to
produce, and distribute consumer goods and services; knowledge of economics
reasoning and basic economics concepts, economic decision making, economic
systems, Pennsylvania and the US economy, and international trade.
4. Arts and Humanities: study of dance, theater, music, visual arts, language
and literature including forms of expression, historical and cultural context,
critical and aesthetic judgment and production, performance and exhibition of
work.
5. Career Education and Work: understanding career options in relationship to
individual interests, aptitudes and skills including the relationship between
changes in society, technology, government, and economy and their effects on
individuals and careers; development of knowledge and skill in job-seeking and
job-retaining skills and, for students completing vocational-technical
programs, the skills to succeed in the occupation for which they are prepared.
6. Health, Safety, Physical Education: study of concepts and skills which
affect personal, family and community, health and safety, nutrition, physical
fitness, movement concepts and strategies, safety in physical activity setting,
and leadership and cooperation in physical activities.
7. Family and Consumer Science: understanding the role of consumers as a
foundation for managing available resources to provide for personal and family
needs and to provide basic knowledge of child health and child care skills.
8. Mathematics: study of number system and number relationships, computation
and estimation, measurement, mathematical reasoning and connections,
mathematical problem solving and communication, statistics, data analysis,
probability, predictions, algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry, and
concepts of calculus.
9. Reading, writing,
speaking and listening: provide the targets for instruction and student
learning essential for success in all academic areas, not just language arts
classrooms. All teachers in a school will use the Reading, Writing,
Speaking and Listening Standards.
10. ELL Program
11. Gifted Program
Graduation Requirements
The graduation requirements in the Scranton School District will be standard throughout the district and will include the following:
- Satisfactory completion of 24 Carnegie Units of planned courses will be required until June 2007. Students are required to successfully complete all Carnegie Units with a passing grade of 70%.
- Students will also be required to complete 10 hours of community service in their senior year. (Timeline = September 1 to May 1) All verification forms must be properly signed and verified by May 1 of the senior year.
- Completion of a student graduation project as defined by the Scranton School District appointed Graduation Project Committee.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics on the Pennsylvania State Assessment Exams and/or Local Assessments.
- Students will complete 1 unit of Family Consumer Science as specified in the Chapter 4 regulations
- All Seniors are required to take a full compliment of courses
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Scranton School District |
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Graduation Requirements |
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CTC |
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Class of |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
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Credits |
Credits |
Credits |
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English |
4 |
4 |
4 |
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Social Studies |
4 |
4 |
3 |
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Math |
4 |
4 |
4 |
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Science |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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Arts/Humanities |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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Health |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
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Safety |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
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Electives and/or CTC Credits |
4 |
5 |
8 |
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Total = |
23 |
24 |
24 |
Career Tech students will be required to meet the following requirements:
Freshmen
English - 1
Math - 1
Science - 1
Social Studies - 1
Elective - 1
Elective - 1
Health - .40
PE. - .25
Sophomore
English - 1
Math - 1
Science - 1
Social Studies - 1
CTC - 2
Health - .40
PE. - .25
Junior
English - 1
Math - 1
Science - 1
CTC - 3
PE. - .25
Senior
English - 1
Math - 1
Social Studies - 1
CTC - 3
PE. - .25
Strategic Planning Process
A series of Strategic Planning Meetings were held with
sub-committees members and overall Planning Committee Meetings were held on the
following dates:
October 10, 2006 - Lou Paris attended the NEIU #19 meeting with Dr. Lillian Dileo about the E-Startegic
Planning Process
January 11, 2007 - Mr. William F. King met with Sunny Minelli
at NEIU #19 to discuss the E-Strategic Planning Process
March 8, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Strategic Planning Meeting for Administrators -
Overview of E-Strategic Planning Process and assignment of plan sections
March 15, 2007 - Invitations are sent out to the following stakeholders to
nominate Planning Committee mMembers: Scranton
Federation of Teachers, Association of School Administrators,
Scranton School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Parent Teacher Association &
Community Members
March 23, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Administrators begin the process of entering data
into their assigned plan sections
March 30, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Continued team meetings at NEIU #19 working on
development and transporting of plans into the system.
April 13, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Team Meeting at NEIU #19 to
continue with data entry of the various plans.
April 27, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Administrative Team continues work on populating
the site with the various district plans and strategies.
May 29, 2007 - Scranton School District Special Education Plan is submitted to
the PDE.
May 30, 2007 - PDE sends back the Special Education Plan with some suggested
revisions.
June 1, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Administrators continue work on populating the the site.
June 5, 2007 - NEIU #19 - Mr. King meets with Sunny Minelli
to review the prgress of the plan thus far. We
also discuss the agenda for the upcoming Strategic Planning Committee Meeting.
June 15, 2007 - NEIU#19 - Work continues on the plan by AdministratorsJune
21, 2007 - Letters on invitation to attend scheduled meetings are sent out to
the Strategic Planning Committee Members.
June 22, 2007 - Speciual Education Plan is
re-submitted to PDE after suggested revisions have been made to the plan.
June 26, 2007 - The Scranton School District is notified that the Special
Education Plan is approved by PDE.
July 2, 2007 - Work continues on the overall paln and
the district coordinator prepares agendas and powerpoint presentation for the initial Strategic
Planning committee Meeting set for July 5, 2007.
July 5, 2007 - The first Strategic Planning Committee Meetring
is held in the Library at Scranton High School. Team members are assigned
to sub-committees.
Strategic Planning Committee
|
Name |
Affiliation |
Membership Category |
Appointed By |
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Anne Salerno |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Bill Schoen |
Business |
Business Representative |
Scranton Chamber of Commerce |
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Cara Esgro |
Scranton School District |
Other |
Students |
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Colin Saltry |
Scranton School District |
Other |
Students |
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Dave Bieri |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Association of School Administrators |
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Gregg Sunday |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Jeff Rubel |
Scranton Chamber of Commerce |
Business Representative |
Scranton School Board |
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Jennifer Graham-Edsell |
Parent Teacher Organization |
Parent |
PTO |
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Joe Brazil |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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John Coyle |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Association of School Administrators |
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Kevin Kearney |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Lee Carr |
Scranton School District |
Special Education Representative |
Administrators |
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Lori Wagner |
Parent Teacher Organization |
Parent |
PTO |
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Lou Paris |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Mary Ellen Reese |
Scranton School District |
Elementary School Teacher |
Scranton Federation of Teachers |
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Mary Kay Salvaggio |
Scranton School District |
Middle School Teacher |
Scranton Federation of Teachers |
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Michael M. Sheridan |
Scarnton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
|
Nancy Hlavaty |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Nyssa Zaccheo |
Scranton School District |
Other |
Students |
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Patti Schreckengaust |
Scranton School District |
Ed Specialist - School Nurse |
Educational Specialists |
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Paul Dougherty |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Association of School Administrators |
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Peggy Gladys |
ESL Coach/Teacher |
Secondary School Teacher |
Scranton Federation of Teachers |
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Robert Chamoni |
Scranton School District |
Secondary School Teacher |
Scranton Federation of Teachers |
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Robert McTiernan |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Rose Malinowski |
Parent Teacher Organization |
Parent |
PTO |
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Sheila Durkin |
Scranton School District |
Elementary School Teacher |
Scranton Federation of Teachers |
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Thomas Gummer |
Scranton School District |
Middle School Teacher |
Scranton Federation of Teachers |
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Tom Gilbride, Esq. |
School Board Member |
Board Member |
School Board President |
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William F. King |
Scranton School District |
Administrator |
Administrators |
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Angela Jones |
Parent |
Parent |
Scranton School Board |
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Mark Duda |
Lackawanna College |
Community Representative |
Scranton School Board |
Goals, Strategies and Activities
Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for
districts and schools that graduate seniors)
Description: The percentage of students who graduate from Scranton High
School and West Scranton High School in four years will increase 1% per year.
Strategy: Additional Educational Opportunities
Description: Additional learning opportunities will be provided for students
who are not proficient on PSSA tests and/or are failing a class that will keep
them from graduating on time.
Activities:
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Activity |
Description |
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Summer School |
Traditional Summer School will be provided for juniors and upcoming seniors who need to recover credits in order to graduate on time. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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District Administrators |
Start: 7/1/2007 |
$5,000.00 |
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Number of Hours Per Session |
Total Number of Sessions Per School Year |
Estimated Number of Participants Per Year |
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1 |
4 |
20 |
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Organization or Institution Name |
Type of Provider |
Provider's Department of Education Approval Status |
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School District of the City of Scranton |
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Approved |
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Knowledge and Skills |
Research and Best Practices |
Designed to Accomplish |
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Strategies to increase student achievement in order to graduate on time |
These documents provide best practice instructional strategies to increase student achievement in order to graduate on time. |
For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists:
For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles:
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Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity |
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Role |
Grade Level |
Subject Area |
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Follow-up Activities |
Evaluation Methods |
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Activity |
Description |
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Tutoring |
Before, during and after school tutoring will be offered to students who are not proficient on the PSSA and/or are failing a subject necessary for graduation. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$452,000.00 |
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Activity |
Description |
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Winter School |
An after-school credit recovery program is offered every January for students who will not graduate on time. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$0.00 |
Goal: Improving Community Relations
Description: Scranton City School District strives to maintain active
communication regarding district and school based events.
Strategy: Telephone Notification System
Description: District has subscribed to a telephone communication
service to facilitate district wide and building specific communication system.
This system will be utilized to keep all stakeholders apprised as to upcoming
school and district events that relate to student learning and development.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
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Parent Notification System |
Through the Global Connect communication systems, principals and administrators have the capability of notifying all parents of upcoming activities, report card distribution, snow delays and cancellations, exam scheduled and additional school and district events. This communication system enables district administrators to simultaneously communicate critical messages to all parents virtually immediately. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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William King |
Start: N/A |
$20,000.00 |
Goal: MATHEMATICS
Description: At least 56% of all students will be proficient in
Mathematics, as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.
Strategy: 4Sight assessment test
Description: 4Sight is one of our progress monitoring tools used in
grades three through eleven. It will be administered at least four times per
year, this includes baseline testing. The results are used to monitor student
progress towards proficiency on the PA Mathematics Standards. Teachers will
develop class level strategies based on 4Sight results. All data and plans will
be submitted to the building and district administrators.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
|
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Implementing benchmark assessments |
4sight tests will be administered as four times throughout the school year in grades 3 through 11. Teachers will evaluate student achievement data through use of the 4Sight member center. This evaluation of data will take place during two-district wide early dismissals and two Act 80 days. Following data analysis, teacher will develop student and class-wide action plans to address areas needing improvement. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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District Administrators |
Start: 9/10/2007 |
$42,000.00 |
Goal: READING
Description: At least 63% of all students will be proficient in Reading,
as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments.
Strategy: 4sight Assessment test
Description: 4Sight is one of our progress monitoring tools used in
grades three through eleven. It will be administered at least four times per
year, this includes baseline testing. The results are used to monitor student
progress towards proficiency on the PA Mathematics Standards. Teachers will
develop class level strategies based on 4Sight results. All data and plans will
be submitted to the building and district administrators.
Activities:
|
Activity |
Description |
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Implementing checkpoint assessments |
4sight tests will be administered as four times throughout the school year in grades 3 through 11. Teachers will evaluate student achievement data through use of the 4Sight member center. This evaluation of data will take place during two-district wide early dismissals and two Act 80 days. Following data analysis, teacher will develop student and class-wide action plans to address areas needing improvement. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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District Administrators |
Start: 7/1/2007 |
$0.00 |
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Number of Hours Per Session |
Total Number of Sessions Per School Year |
Estimated Number of Participants Per Year |
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5 |
4 |
550 |
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Organization or Institution Name |
Type of Provider |
Provider's Department of Education Approval Status |
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Scranton City School District |
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Not approved |
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Knowledge and Skills |
Research and Best Practices |
Designed to Accomplish |
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Follow-up Activities |
Evaluation Methods |
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Strategy: Differentiated Instruction
Description: Differentiated instruction will be used in lesson planning
to address individual student needs.
Activities:
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Activity |
Description |
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Grade and subject level flexible grouping |
Teachers and administrators will use flexible grouping to differentiate instruction according to student needs. |
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Person Responsible |
Timeline for Implementation |
Resources |
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District Administrators |
Start: N/A |
$0.00 |
Goal: STUDENT ATTENDANCE (any school that does not graduate seniors)
Description: Student attendance will meet a 90% threshold and/or show
growth.
Strategy: Student Education