Much like its contemporaries, Palmerton Area School District has experienced a dip in its standardized tests scores.

Dan Heaney, director of curriculum and instruction, shared preliminary data on the Keystone and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test scores with the school board at a workshop session on Tuesday.Overall, Heaney said there was a decline in the proficiency rates in grades three through eight in both math and English language arts statewide.In math, there was a 35.4 percent decrease, while there was a 9.4 percent decrease in English language arts on the PSSA exam, Heaney said.As for Palmerton, Heaney said students saw a 33.6 percent decrease in math, and a 13 percent decrease in English language arts.However, Heaney said that the decrease in scores was not unexpected, and added that the district believes it can turn things around.Superintendent Scot Engler said he isn't alarmed by the results, and noted that the district routinely churns out a large percentage of students who transition from high school to college and make successful lives for themselves.Director Barry Scherer agreed, and added, "We're all in the same boat."Heaney added, "We're not unique in this."Resident Audrey Larvey said the results are more a reflection on the state than they are of school districts.Larvey lauded the district, and said she believes they are making a wonderful effort overall."I think our kids are doing just fine," Larvey said.Heaney concurred, and added, "We're moving in the right direction."