Woodland preparing for PSSA tests
By James Moate Endeavor News

After failing to meet some of the standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind law, area teachers and administrators have been making curriculum changes. Their goal is to better familiarize students with the format of Pa. System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests.

Woodland Elementary School in Cameron County received a $30,000 state grant to help. Three remediation teachers have been hired, supplies have been purchased and curriculum changes made.

Bill Floyd, dean of students at Woodland, told Endeavor News that every Wednesday, all math and reading homework is geared toward PSSA material.

"This gives the students practice answering the types of questions asked during the PSSAs," Floyd said. "Also, it helps parents see what their kids have to do and, most importantly, it helps familiarize children with the PSSA test format."

Floyd said that, typically, students don't have a great amount of difficulty answering the questions, but they sometimes have trouble explaining the process used in coming up with the answers. At the same time, the state is raising the bar for minimum test scores.

Since being placed in "warning" status, the district has used a student assessment tool called "4Sight." It's a quarterly test that closely mimics the PSSA format.

"It helps teachers to determine the areas where students are having the most trouble," Floyd pointed out.

Parents can be a crucial element in helping children to prepare, he added.

"I'm hoping that more parents will get involved and support their kids," Floyd said. "The main reason we are doing this is to alleviate the stress of the students."

Woodland was one of six among the 36 Intermediate Unit Nine (IU9) schools cited for inadequate progress on last year's PSSA tests, because a group of children with "individualized education plans" did not meet the proficiency criteria for mathematics.

Standards are also set for other student groups, such as the economically disadvantaged or those in special education.

All area schools are gearing up for mandated state tests to determine their students' knowledge in writing, math, reading and science.

Last year, at least 54 percent of the tested students had to score at proficiency or above in reading. At least 45 percent of the students had to hit the proficiency mark in math.

This year, at least 63 percent of tested students need to score at proficiency in reading and at least 56 percent in math.

By 2014, all tested students will be expected to score at the proficient level in math and reading.

From April 28 to May 9, students in fourth, eighth and 11th grades will be taking PSSA tests in science. However, those results will not count this year in determining annual yearly progress.