West Allegheny

==Insights==
===West Allegheny School District in National Spotlight for Achievement===
With the start of the 2006 school year just underway, Congressman Tim Murphy invited U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to Southwestern Pennsylvania for a firsthand look at the educational achievements of local schools. On Thursday, the two visited children and teachers at Wilson Elementary School in the West Allegheny School District.
"The educational successes of Southwestern Pennsylvania schools are evidence that there is a bright future for our region," Congressman Tim Murphy said. "We are creating our future scientists, engineers, writers, and welders, and we are ahead of the curve. West Allegheny School District is five years ahead of schedule for meeting its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals under No Child Left Behind goals in reading and math. This success is attributed to the school's goal of bringing together parents and students, teachers and administrators."
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Report Card for 2006, 85 percent of West Allegheny School District students are advanced and proficient in math. Pennsylvania's state standard only requires 35 percent of students to be at those levels. For reading, 87 percent of the District's students are advanced and proficient, above the 54 percent required by the state.
"As a psychologist, educator, and legislator, Congressman Murphy has been always been a real champion for the children of Pennsylvania," said Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. "I appreciate this opportunity to join him in celebrating the fact that all West Allegheny Schools surpassed state benchmarks this year for adequate yearly progress."
 
category:where