Several educators said they were puzzled by some of their classes that scored higher or lower than expected, but all praised the standards as a way to keep education focused. Oblender said variables such as home environment, how students are feeling on a given day, even if they've had a good breakfast on the day of the test can influence the results. Manheim Township School District had the highest combined reading and math scores in eighth and eleventh grades, and all of their elementary schools scored in the top half of all county school districts. Oblender said the district has always worked on its academic standards. With the PSSA tests, school officials have made sure the district standards and the state standards are aligned.
Some classes are stronger than others.
Last week the state awarded Conestoga Valley the largest grant in the county as a reward for bringing up their PSSA scores at the high school and Leola Elementary School. Standards are good, said Wayne Heim, director of curriculum and instruction at Conestoga Valley. Conestoga Valley High School was able to move more of its 11th graders into the top scoring levels of math and reading over the past two years. The district saw major increases in reading and math at two of their four elementary schools. Leola and Brownstown elementary schools found increases in their reading and math scores.