Frazier receives national recognition for PSSA scores
PERRYOPOLIS – When it comes to enhancing student performance, the Frazier School District’s formula for success is attracting officials from a number of the state’s 501 school districts interested in using the same effective strategies and practices to improve its curriculum. In the latest report from Standard and Poors (S&P), Frazier is listed as being one of 24 school districts in the state to exceed the state averages on the Pennsylvania State System of Assessment (PSSA) mean scores and its passing rates, despite serving an above-average proportion of economically disadvantaged students.
The report, released earlier this month, is based upon data collected over the last five years from the Department of Education, including the 2001-2002 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Frederick Smeigh said while he was not surprised at the report’s findings, he was curious as to why it did not receive publicity from the local media. “It was really kept quiet,” said Smeigh.
Over the last year, Smeigh said, Frazier has continued to receive calls from school officials in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties stressing their interest in the district’s integrated math and reading programs at the secondary level and a language/arts series used in both elementary schools.
Smeigh said calls started pouring in this summer after he attended a conference in Orlando, Fla., in which Frazier was selected as a “model school” by the International Center for Leadership in Education.
School officials from districts across the country attended the event where Smeigh spoke about Frazier’s math and reading programs and how they have made a significant impact on student achievement, especially on the PSSA and SAT scores.
Smeigh added the district was also recognized for its programs through other state reports issued by entities such as the Carnegie Math and Science Consortium and Educational Policy and Issues Center.
According to the Center’s report, “Frazier’s focus on training teachers, instituting new programs and curriculum and raising expectations is a good example of how the district is preparing its students for future success.”
The district initially started the math and reading programs in the 2000-2001 school year at the secondary level and is now applying the math program beginning in the sixth grade.
While S&P reported that last year Frazier earned the highest PSSA mean score of 1,382, the district also succeeded other districts in the number of students in the advanced category in the state for districts that were equal to, or had higher numbers of economically disadvantaged students.
With the state average being 1,325, S&P noted that only 13.6 of the state’s school districts reported higher PSSA mean scores statewide.
In addition to earning the highest mean score on the PSSA, Frazier was also stated as having the highest passing rate as well as its percentage of PSSA scores that fall in the advanced performance level.
Under the SAT, Frazier had a combined score of 992, which is higher than the state or peer group scores.
As a result, Frazier’s annual increase was significantly higher than the state since the district’s SAT combined score increased by an average of 25 points a year during the last five years.
Since 1992, Frazier has continued to reorganize its academic program after it was placed on the state’s “watch list” for school districts approaching financially distressed status.
Within the last 11 years, Smeigh said, the district has taken tremendous steps toward restructuring its teaching and learning environment developed through an action plan that in return, served as the nucleus of Frazier’s strategic plan.
The plan had a major impact this year by now requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in reading and math in order to graduate as part of the state’s new academic standards.
More information on the S&P report can be obtained on the Internet at www.ses.standardandpoors.com.