Northampton Area School District students in all grade levels and subject areas have achieved Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) results above the state average. The exceptions are grades 6 and 8 in English language arts and mathematics.

The summary is contained in the “NASD Academic Update Spring 2023,” a 45-minute presentation, not including questions by school directors and the public and responses by the administration, at the board of education meeting May 8.

Dr. Michelle Schoeneberger, NASD assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and Joseph S. Kovalchik, NASD superintendent of schools, presented the update.

PSSA tests for English language arts and mathematics are given in grades 3 through 8. PSSA tests for science are given in grades 4 and 8.

“The concern for us is at the middle school level, and that’s where we’re looking to increase staff,” Kovalchik said during the meeting.

In English language arts, according to the 2022 NASD PSSA results, grade 3 has a 64% proficiency, which is above the 52.3% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 4 has a 65% proficiency, which is above the 52.2% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 5 has a 63% proficiency, which is above the 53.6% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 6 has a 47% proficiency, which is below the 56.1% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 7 has a 57% proficiency, which is identical to the 57% PSSA state proficiency average; and grade 8 has a 52% proficiency, which is below the 55% PSSA state proficiency average.

In mathematics, according to the 2022 NASD PSSA results, grade 3 has a 58% proficiency, which is above the 47.7% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 4 has a 55% proficiency, which is above the 42.3% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 5 has a 43% proficiency, which is above the 35.4% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 6 has a 24% proficiency, which is below the 32.3% PSSA state proficiency average; grade 7 has a 32% proficiency, which is above the 27% PSSA state proficiency average; and grade 8 has a 20% proficiency, which is below the 22% PSSA state proficiency average.

In science, according to the 2022 NASD PSSA results, grade 4 has an 88% proficiency, which is above the 73.7% PSSA state proficiency average; and grade 8 has a 57% proficiency, which is above the 51% PSSA state proficiency average.

The NASD academic update includes the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System, which is a statistical analysis based on existing student assessment data that measures student growth from one year to the next year.

The PVAAS measurement for English language arts PSSA for 2022 are well above the growth standard in grade 4; meets the growth standard in grade 5; well below the growth standard in grade 6; meets the growth standard in grade 7; meets the growth standard in grade 8; and above the growth standard across grades.

The PVAAS measurement for math PSSA for 2022 are well above the growth standard in grade 4; meets the growth standard in grade 5; below the growth standard in grade 6; well above the growth standard in grade 7; above the growth standard in grade 8; and well above the growth standard across grades.

The PVAAS measurement for science PSSA for 2022 are well above the growth standard in grade 4; and meets the growth standard in grade 8.

The PVAAS measurement meets growth standard for high school algebra I, biology, literature keystone for 2022 and Keystone algebra I; above growth standard for Keystone biology; and well above growth standard in Keystone literature.

“The PSSAs are state-driven tests that are not linked to any accountability,” Kovalchik said before the presentation at the board meeting. “Keystone exams are state required. You need to pass in order to graduate, though there are different pathways that you can follow.”

The Keystone results are based on tests given in spring 2022 for algebra I, biology and literature. Keystone exams were given again this spring.

The “NASD Academic Update Spring 2023” 12-page presentation is on the NASD website, nasdschools.org.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, “The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment, which provides students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards.

“These standards in English language arts, mathematics and science and technology identify what a student should know and be able to do at varying grade levels.”

The board of education is scheduled to meet 6:30 p.m. June 12 in the auditorium at Northampton Area High School, 1619 Laubach Ave., Northampton.