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<p>The majority of public schools in Luzerne County scored below the state average in math and English Language Arts (ELA, formerly reading) tests this year, but continue to post strong scores in the standardized science testing. Results for the 2019 tests were posted in conjunction with Thursday&#8217;s release of the state&#8217;s &#8220;Future Ready Index&#8221; evaluation of public schools.</p><p>The index replaced the School Performance Profile system, which calculated a single score for each school based on multiple factors including test results, attendance and graduation rates. The index does not give a single score, but looks at a wide range of data and color codes school results. Blue and Green either meet or exceed expectations while red falls short.</p><p>Depending on grades, minority enrollment and other factors, schools can have as few as zero factors reviewed or dozens. Some quick number crunching shows about 28 of 59 Luzerne County schools with such factors measured had at least half of the results in green or blue. The index can be accessed on line at <a href="https://futurereadypa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">futurereadypa.org</a></p><p>While the index is designed to de-emphasize standardized test results, those numbers are still released for review. The index combines Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests given in grades 3 through eight and Keystone Exams given in high school. PSSA ELA test results are combined with the Keystone Literature tests, PSSA math and Keystone Algebra 1 results are combined, and PSSA science tests (given only in grades four and eight) are mixed with the Keystone Biology exam.</p><p>Looking at the percentage of students who scored proficient or better in those three categories, 20 of 50 Luzerne County schools tested in ELA/literature scored above the state average of 62.1 percent. In math/algebra 1, 16 local schools outdid the state average of 45.2 percent. And in science/biology, 23 of 47 schools tested topped the state average of 66 percent.</p><p>Dallas School District had the top performing schools in ELA/Literature (78.7 percent at Wycallis Elementary) and in math/algebra (78 percent at the high school). Lake Lehman&#8217;s Lehman-Jackson Elementary had the best outcome in science/biology with 94.9 percent proficient or advanced.</p><p>County schools did well in science and biology, with five schools above 90 percent, six in the 80 percent to 90 percent range, and nine between 70 percent and 80 percent.</p><p>By comparison, only two local schools got above 70 percent in math/algebra. Along with Dallas High School, Wycallis beat the benchmark with 72 percent proficient or advanced. In ELA/Literature, nine schools joined top-ranked Wycallis above 70 percent.</p><p>At the other end of the spectrum, Wilkes-Barre Area and Hazleton Area had schools in the bottom of all three test groups.</p><p>Heights/Murray Elementary ha the lowest percentage in ELA/Literature at 26.4 percent, with Hazleton Elementary Middle School next at 33.3 and GAR Memorial High School at 34.7. The same three schools were at the bottom in math with 7.6 percent, 8.5 percent and 9.3 percent respectively. And GAR was at the bottom in Science/biology with 25.4 percent followed by Meyers High School with 28.6 percent and Hazleton Elementary Middle School at 38.1 percent.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Dallas High School, seen here, was the top-performing Luzerne County school in math/algebra testing according to results posted in conjunction with Thursday&#8217;s release of the state&#8217;s &#8216;Future Ready Index&#8217; evaluation of public schools. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_web1_TTL03xx18DallasHighSchool-2.jpg</photo3><caption3>Dallas High School, seen here, was the top-performing Luzerne County school in math/algebra testing according to results posted in conjunction with Thursday&#8217;s release of the state&#8217;s &#8216;Future Ready Index&#8217; evaluation of public schools. </caption3><photoCredit3>Times Leader file </photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>RESULTS IN DETAIL</strong></p><p>Visit timesleader.com for charts showing local schools&#8217; results, or scan this story with your TL Step Inside app.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Mixed results for local schools in state standardized tests