South Fayette Township School District

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Curriculum & Assessment

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A comprehensive and articulated curriculum is provided for grades K-12 that meets the needs of all students. Graduates must complete a minimum of 26 credits throughout their high school career in the following areas: science (including Biology and Chemistry), mathematics (including an Algebra II proficiency), a foreign language (second level proficiency), technology (Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint), writing and public speaking, health/physical education, electives and the senior graduation project. All students must complete a graduation project that demonstrates competencies in oral communication, written communication, information gathering/research skills and technology utilization. This student-centered research begins in 9th grade and revolves around a career of interest. The goal is to provide an avenue for creativity and demonstration of individual talents, while helping students to explore career paths.

For students who desire the challenge of a higher caliber program and who have demonstrated the ability and commitment to work independently and collaboratively, the District offers an Honors Academy to provide enrichment and advanced courses. Admission to the Honors Academy is selective and open only to students who have demonstrated a commitment to learning as evidenced by standardized tests, grades, work ethic, writing ability, and overall performance. Students selected into the Honors Academy are expected to do extensive reading, research and presentations. In addition to work done in class and directed by the faculty, students will work independently with the teacher serving as a facilitator for learning. An extensive interview process takes place with interested students prior to admission to the Honors Academy so that an overall evaluation may be made.

In 11th and 12th grades, students who qualify are also given the opportunity to earn college credit by taking Advanced Placement classes. Students may earn over 30 college credits while attending high school. All students who elect to take these classes are required to take the Standardized AP Exam. South Fayette students have consistently scored higher than the national average on these tests.

Our curriculum also includes individualized programs for students who have demonstrated the need for additional resources. The needs of these students are met by special education specialists, guidance personnel, a school psychologist, and three nurses. A continuous program for gifted students is also available.

Click here for additional charts that details South Fayette's performance on the PSSA exams.

No Child Left Behind and AYP
The No Child Left Behind Act charges America’s schools to describe their success in terms of student accomplishment. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has outlined standards for what every child should know and learn for all grades. Each District is expected to make “adequate yearly progress” (AYP) toward meeting state standards.

In 2003-2004, for a District to make adequate yearly progress, at least 54% of the students must have scored at the proficient or advanced level in reading, and at least 45% of the students must have scored at the proficient or advanced level in math. In addition, at least 95% of the students in each group must have taken the test.

In South Fayette, all grades exceeded the levels set forth by the state and no schools in the District have been identified for school improvement. In addition, all schools in our district exceeded the required adequate yearly progress.

PSSA Assessments
Each year, students in grades 5, 8 and 11 take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) exam to determine performance in reading and math. Students are rated by scores of Advanced, Proficient, Basic and Below Basic. The State’s mandate is for 45% of the students to be proficient or above in mathematics and 54% of the students to be proficient or above in reading. Across all grade levels, South Fayette students far exceeded these requirements.

Grade 5 - Math
	2002-2003	2003-2004
Advanced (%)	60.2	75
Proficient(%)	22.7	18
Basic(%)	11.17	6
Below Basic(%)	5.5	1

Grade 5 - Reading
	2002-2003	2003-2004
Advanced(%)	58.5	52
Proficient(%)	26.9	30
Basic(%)	7.7	10
Below Basic(%)	6.9	8

Grade 8- Math
	2002-2003	2003-2004
Advanced(%)	40	43
Proficient(%)	40	38
Basic(%)	13.3	12
Below Basic(%)	6.7	8

Grade 8- Reading
	2002-2003	2003-2004
Advanced(%)	42	50
Proficient(%)	44	38
Basic(%)	8	5
Below Basic(%)	6	7

Grade 11- Math
	2002-2003	2003-2004
Advanced(%)	35.8	58
Proficient(%)	35.1	23
Basic(%)	18.7	8
Below Basic(%)	10.4	10

Grade 11- Reading
	2002-2003	2003-2004
Advanced(%)	35.8	49
Proficient(%)	44.8	39
Basic(%)	12.7	8
Below Basic(%)	6.7	4

The Test of Time
As we monitor the test results over the past several years, South Fayette students show a trend of steady improvement in the core areas. Administrators and staff are constantly evaluating our curriculum to ensure that we are not only meeting required standards, but that we are providing the best foundation for our students as they pursue higher education and future employment.

Attendance and Graduation Rates
Under the No Child Left Behind Legislation, the state has set forth the goal of a 90% attendance rate by 2014 in grades K-8. In 2003-2004, South Fayette’s attendance rate for those grades was 94.47%. The Act also looks closely at the graduation rate, which is defined by the number of students who entered 9th grade and graduated with a regular diploma. The state’s goal is 80% by 2014 and in 2003, South Fayette’s graduation rate was 96.4%. In both cases, South Fayette has far exceeded the requirements of the state.

The mission of the South Fayette Township School District, as an integral part of the community, is to foster development and growth of each student's full academic, artistic and athletic potential by providing exemplary opportunities in a caring, safe, positive environment; to promote lifelong learning, and to cultivate ethical, responsible, contributing members in a global society.