Shikellamy High School - Academic Achievement

Academic Achievement

In 2012, Shikellamy High School declined further to Corrective Action II Second year status due to continuing low student achievement. In 2011, Shikellamy High School declined to Corrective Action II first year status due to declining student achievement. It was revealed that a teacher had given copies of the PSSAs to students to practice for the exams. The principal was permitted to resign and the issue was reported to the state. In 2010, Shikellamy High School achieved Making Progress: in Corrective Action I status on student achievement. In 2009, the school was in Corrective Action I status due to chronic, low student academic achievement.

In 2009, Shikellamy High School ranked 464th out of 666 Pennsylvania high schools for the reading and mathematics achievement of its students.

The high school was placed under Needs Improvement Level 1 designation in No Child Left Behind for the low mathematics test scores for economically disadvantaged students in 2008. In 2006-2007, the school moved into Improvement Level II due to low math and reading scores and a declining graduation rate. Multiple explanations for the chronically low results were offered by the district's superintendent. In 2009, an inadequate number of Shikellamy High School students were on grade level for the fourth year in a row. Due to poor performance on state standards testing coupled with inadequate improvement over time, the high school was moved to Corrective Action 1 in 2009. The state has provided extensive resources to assist the school in improving its education program through a School Improvement Planning process as dictated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Further interventions will be used to meet the needs of the students. Of Pennsylvania's 3115 public schools, 53 are in Corrective Action 1 and another 169 are in Corrective Action 2. In 2009, 468 of the state's 500 school districts met all Adequate Yearly Progress targets.

In 2008, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the Shikellamy School District 425th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts based on three years of PSSA scores in: reading, writing, mathematics and one year of science. In 2007, the district was ranked 434th of 500 districts.

In 2006, Shikellamy High School ranked 384th out 607 Pennsylvania high schools based on student academic achievement in mathematics and reading. In 2005, the high school was ranked 384th out of 606 public high schools in Pennsylvania.

PSSAs:

Reading 11th grade:

• 2012 - 59% on grade level. (22% below basic). Ranked 14th among CSIU16 region 11th grades. In Pennsylvania 67% of 11th graders were reading on grade level.
• 2011 - 63.5% (18% below baic). Ranked 13th among CSIU16 region 11th grades. In Pennsylvania 69% of 11th graders were reading on grade level.
• 2010 - 71%, State - 67% Ranks 10th out of 18 CSIU16 region high schools for reading.
• 2009 - 62.3%, State - 65.5% In 2009, Shikellamy High School 11th graders ranked 13th out of 18 local schools for reading.
• 2008 - 62.7%, State - 65%
• 2007 - 57.9%, State - 65.4%
• 2006 - 62.0%, State - 65%
• 2005 - 59.2%, State - 65%
• 2004 - 64.7%, State - 60.8%
• 2003 - 61.0%, State - 59.2%

Mathematics 11th grade:

• 2012 - 53% on grade level (25% below basic). Ranks 13th among 19 High Schools in CSIU16 region 11th grades. State - 59% of 11th graders were on grade level in math.
• 2011 - 52% (21% below basic). Rank 16th among 18 High Schools in CSIU16 region 11th grades. State - 60% of 11th graders were on grade level in math.
• 2010 - 75%, State - 59%. In 2010, Shikellamy High School 11th graders ranked 4th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement.
• 2009 - 45.5%, State - 56% In 2009, Shikellamy 11th graders ranked 16th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement.
• 2008 - 51.3%, State - 56%
• 2007 - 47.2%, State - 53%
• 2006 - 49.0%, State - 51%
• 2005 - 44.4%, State - 51%
• 2004 - 52.6%, State - 49%

In 2008, Pennsylvania conducted the Science PSSA for the second time. The test is based on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science, Technology, Ecology and the Environment which became law in 2002. The state's: fourth grade, eighth grade and eleventh grade are tested.

Superintendent Alan Locononus acknowledged the district's shortcomings in curriculum and student expectations. He reported taking several actions to improve student academic success, including modifying the curriculum to increase rigor in the middle school and high school.

Science 11th grade:

• 2011 - 38% on grade level. (14% below basic). Boys 36% on grade level | Girls 29% on grade level. State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level. Ranked 13th among High Schools in CSIU16 region.
• 2011 - 32% (15% below basic). State - 40%. Ranked 15th among High Schools in CSIU16 region.
• 2010 - 45%, State - 39%
• 2009 - 30.4% State - 39.7%
• 2008 - 29.3%, State - 35.7%

SAT Reasoning Test 2005

Average Score 994, National Average - 1001
Verbal - 487, National Average - 497
Math - 508, National Average - 504
Students Tested - 130

In 2005, 29 students participated in two AP courses. For both English AP and History AP 48% scored 3 or better which could lead to college credits depending on the college's policies.

SAT Reasoning Test 2007
Average Score 1367, National Average - 1001
Verbal - 740, National Average - 497
Math - 627, National Average - 504
Students Tested - 237

SAT Reasoning Test 2009 Shikellamy Students tested - 131 Writing Score 462, State Writing 493, National Average - 493
Verbal - 468, State - Verbal 501, National Average - 501
Math - 493, State - Math 515, National Average - 515

SAT Reasoning Test 2012 Shikellamy Students tested - 127 Writing Score 453, State Writing 480, National Average - 488
Verbal - 468, State - Verbal 491, National Average - 496
Math - 467, State - Math 501, National Average - 514