Page 72 - Annual Report of Achievement & Growth

PSSA SCIENCE

Results and Findings
 Pine-Richland students outperformed the state average at all levels of the PSSA Science assessment.
o A 4-year positive trend in the percentage of male students at the advanced level was found in
grade 4.
o A 3-year positive trend in the percentage of female students at the advanced level was found in
grade 8.

 Pine-Richland students outperformed the top decile benchmark for combined advanced/proficient
performance at grade 8 (i.e., top 10% of schools in Pennsylvania).

 The analysis of student performance by PA Science Assessment Anchors helps us understand areas of
relative strength and need with a higher level of meaning. While there are several strengths, the
opportunities for improvement include:

o Grade 4 – Processes, Procedures, and Tools of Scientific Investigation (Nature of Science)
Continuity of Life (Biological Sciences)
Composition and Structure of the Universe (Earth and Space Sciences)

o Grade 8 – Reasoning and Analysis (Nature of Science)
Earth Features and Processes that Change Earth and its Resources (Earth and Space
Sciences)

 The 2016 PVAAS District Value-Added Report for grade 4 indicates “significant evidence that the
district did not meet the standard for PA Academic Growth” (i.e., red). The value-added growth
measures for 2014 and 2015 for grade 4 were also red. The 3-yearvalue-added average growth measure
is red, indicating significant evidence that the district did not meet the growth standard.

 The 2016 PVAAS District Value-Added Report for grade 8 indicates “evidence that the district met the
standard for PA Academic Growth” (i.e., green). The growth measure in 2014 was red and the growth
measure for 2015 was green. The 3-year average value-added growth measure for grade 8 is yellow
indicating moderate evidence that the district met the growth standard.

 The PVAAS Quintile Diagnostic Report for grade 8 demonstrates that students in the fourth quintile
exceeded the growth standard and students in the second and third quintiles met the growth standard.
Students in the first and fifth quintiles in grade 8 and all quintiles in grade 4 did not meet the growth
standard for PSSA Science.

Next Steps
 Review PSSA and PVAAS data, results, and findings with grade level and vertical teams.

 Continue professional development on using new textbooks and curricular materials implemented this
year.

 Conduct a systematic program review with the Science Department this year that culminates in a set of
recommendations to the Board for improving its educational program K-12.

Pine-Richland School District Page 68 PSSA Science