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By JEAN LACOE; Times Leader Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 18, 1998     Page: 1A

Up to one-third of area schools’ 1996-97 state assessment test scores fell
below the state average.
   
But administrators say the results were better than the previous year’s
because of revamped curriculums.
    “The test is forcing us- and I’m not saying this is a good or bad thing-
… to teach the skills the test measures, if indeed we are gong to be judged
by the results of this test,” said Jeff Namey, superintendent of Wilkes-Barre
Area School District.
   
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test results were recently
released to the media. The state-mandated tests are given to fifth-,
eighth-and 11th-graders to assess their math, reading and writing skills.
   
Forty-two percent of the area’s 1995-96 fifth-grade scores were below the
state average. In eighth and 11th grade, 66 percent were below average. The
1996-97 fifth-grade results showed 32 percent were below average. Fifty-two
percent of eighth and 11th graders were below average.
   
Last year, all 12 of the 11th- and eighth-grade Wilkes-Barre Area scores
were below the state average. Many improved this year, with three higher or
equal to the state average.
   
“We’re still asking for more,” Namey said. “We want to do better, to do the
best as we possibly can.”
   
Not so long ago, curriculum revisions were done every 10 years or so, he
said. Now, supervisors, teachers and students are meeting frequently to ensure
students are prepared for the test.
   
As a result, all students must now take algebra and geometry classes.
Previously, only 51 percent took the course.
   
“How do you expect the kids to do well if we’re not teaching them the
material on the tests,” Namey asked.
   
Significant changes have also been made in English and writing classes. The
district has integrated spelling, language and reading into one elementary
curriculum.
   
Hanover Area School District’s scores also improved, although eighth- and
11th grade scores didn’t meet the state average. But Hanover fifth graders met
the state average in reading and exceeded it in math.
   
“We are just chipping away,” said Acting Superintendent Alberta Griffiths.
“Every year we want to see improvement. That’s our goal.”
   
Hanover also has adjusted its curriculum. Fifth-graders learn geometry in
the fall, instead of spring, so they’ll know it before they’re tested. And
teachers now review test-taking strategies and achievement test samples with
students.
   
Among the highest scores were those from Dallas and Crestwood School
Districts.
   
“We never felt we were successful if we got the state average. It’s just
not new here,” said Gordon Snow, Crestwood’s superintendent. “We’ve got to be
way above.”
   
Crestwood fifth- and eighth-grades scored higher than ever. Eleventh-grade
scores dipped but were at or above the state average.
   
“We’ve always believed you test what you teach and teach what you test,”
Snow said, noting some curriculum modifications were made in the past using
other standardized test results.
   
Dallas Assistant Superintendent Michael Speziale said although students
scored well, the district will adjust its curriculum to the tests.
   
Scores were slightly lower in 11th-grade reading and eighth-grade math, but
still above the state average. All fifth-grade test results improved, except
the Westmoreland Elementary math scores, but all were above average.
   
“You really have to take into consideration the factors that influence test
scores,” Speziale said. “If we based everything on these tests, we’d be just
jumping around all the time.”
   
Lake-Lehman School District’