The principals at Pleasant Valley Elementary School and Intermediate School had some good news to share with the School Board at their recent meeting. A majority of their students achieved in the proficient and advanced categories of the Pennsylvania System of School Achievement exams last year.

The students also performed well in the data for Standardized Testing and Reporting and DIBELS data system for elementary and intermediate students.

In English Language Arts, some grades outperformed the state averages. Others were in line.

• Third grade: PVES, 64.2%; state, 61.9%

• Fourth grade: PVIS, 63.7%; state, 63.6%

• Fifth grade: PVIS, 58%; state, 58.5%

• Sixth grade: PVIS, 78.9%; state, 63%

Similar results were found for math.

• Third grade: PVES, 73.4%; state, 56%

• Fourth grade: PVIS, 53.5%; state, 46.2%

• Fifth grade: PVIS, 47.1%; state, 43.1%

• Sixth grade: PVIS, 53.7%; state, 39%

In science, only fourth-graders are tested and then tested again in eighth grade. For just the fourth grade, the students scored 87.7% in 2019. The state average is 77.8%.

“Our data is very good,” said PVIS Principal Todd Breiner. “I would say we have a high proficiency rate.”

The combined numbers for both grades show achievements since 2017. Districtwide, science scores are 65.5% in 2017, 73.7% in 2018, and 70.6% in 2019. The state average is 68%.

Breiner said the program’s strengths in the intermediate school are the earth sciences. Types of energy could use some improvement.

In order to keep progressing in science, he plans to make some curriculum changes and increase the time spent on science. Instruction time in class will be lengthened, and science is now being taught throughout the whole school year. Previously, it was taught for three-quarters of the year.

“It takes time to ask for our students to be at the level we are requiring them to be in,” Breiner said about how long it will take to see results.

Elementary Principal Roger Pomposello said fractions are an area for improvement in third-grade math, but he’s very encouraged by the overall test numbers. The results showed that 93.2% of the students are advanced or proficient in measurement and data.

“A few years ago, it wasn’t one of our strengths,” he said.

The school has used DIBELS to track the progress of students, but is switching to STAR because it is more similar to the PSSA exams, he said. Both of these universal screeners show good performance levels. In DIBELS, 86.4% of the students scored high in math, and in STAR, 60% of the students were proficient or advanced.

“We are the top performing elementary school in Monroe County,” Pomposello pointed out.

He said the school is using Proficiency Learning Communities, which give teachers the opportunity to share information and teaching strategies. They are also using formative assessments in every classroom to gauge learning.

“The kids were engaged,” he said. “They were getting smarter right before my eyes.”

Pomposello is looking into departmentalization.

“The teachers would love to be an expert in a particular area,” he said.

He thinks it would be beneficial for both the students and the teachers if they specialize.