Juniata County School District

In May 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying three Juniata County School District schools as among the lowest achieving schools for reading and mathematics in the state. Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School, Tuscarora Valley Elementary School remained on the list and East Tuscarora Junior Senior High School was added again.[51]

In 2015 two Juniata County School District schools as among the lowest achieving schools for reading and mathematics in the state. Both Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School and Tuscarora Valley Elementary School were on the 2015 list.[52] One hundred four (104) public school districts had one or more schools on the list.

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General DiPasquale reported that five schools in the Juniata County School District are among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. On the list were: Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School, Tuscarora Valley Elementary School, Tuscarora Middle School, Juniata Senior High School and East Juniata Junior Senior High School.[53][54] He also reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.[55]

In 2012, 2013 and 2014, Juniata Senior High School was on the low achievement list.[56][57][58] In 2011–12, Tuscarora Valley Elementary School was listed as among the lowest achieving schools in the Commonwealth.[59]

Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012.[60] The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to a neighboring public school district. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.[61] According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012–13 school year, nine public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the lowest achievement list including: Steelton-Highspire School District, Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, and William Penn School District.[62] In 2014, Monessen City School District had all three of its schools added to the list. Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

In 2016, the Juniata County School District graduation rate was 95%.[63]

• 2015 - 90%[64]
• 2014 - 93.98%[65]
• 2012 - 89%.[66]
• 2011 - 94%.[67]
• 2010 - 93%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.[68]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 97% [69]
• 2009 - 96%[70]
• 2008 - 94% [71]
• 2007 - 94%[72]

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 27% of Juniata County School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[73][74] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.[75] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Juniata High School is located at Old Route 22 East, Mifflintown. In 2016, enrollment was reported as 546 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 36% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 9% of pupils received special education services, while 3.8% of pupils were identified as gifted.[76] The school employed 32 teachers.[77] Per the PA Department of Education, 7% of the teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[78]

In 2014, enrollment was reported as 524 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 36.9% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 10.5% of pupils received special education services, while 3% of pupils were identified as gifted.[79] The school employed 34 teachers.[80] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1% of the teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

2016 School Performance Profile

SPP 74.2 out of 100 points. Juniata High School Keystone Exams mandated testing results were: 74% of students were on grade level in reading/literature and 61.7 of students demonstrated on grade level in Algebra I. In Biology I, 62.9% of pupils demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the Biology course.[81] The requirement that pupils pass the Keystone Exams in reading, algebra I and bIology I in order to graduate was postponed until 2019 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly because less than 60% of 12 grade pupils statewide would have been eligible for graduation from high school due to failing one or more Keystone Exams.[82] Fifty-four percent of the 2,676 public schools in Pennsylvania achieved a passing score of 70 or better.[83]

2015 School Performance Profile

Juniata High School achieved 74.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that 76.9% of the High School's students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 55.6% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 54% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[84][85] Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.[86][87]

2014 School Performance Profile

Juniata High School achieved 67.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 81% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 57% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 50% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[88] The Graduation rate was 85.5%. Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.[89]

2013 School Performance Profile

Juniata High School achieved 70.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 63% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 37% showed on grade level science understanding.[90] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, they now take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.

AYP History

In 2012, Juniata High School declined further to School Improvement I Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to missing 6 out of 6 academics metrics in reading and math, coupled a declining graduation rate.[91] Juniata High School administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[92] The High School is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[93]

• 2011 - remained in Warning level AYP status.[94]
• 2010 - declined to Warning level AYP status due to chronically, low student achievement.[95]
• 2009 - achieved Adequate Yearly Progress status[96]

PSSA Results:

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[97]

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.[98] The state announced the change in 2010 and made it in order to comply with Governor Edward G. Rendell's agreement to change to the national Common Core standards.[99]

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 58% on grade level, (19% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[100]
• 2011 - 64% (14% below basic). State - 69.1% [101]
• 2010 - 66% (25% below basic). State - 66% [102]
• 2009 - 72% (19% below basic), State - 65%[103]
• 2008 - 57% (20% below basic), State - 65%[104]
• 2007 - 62% (14% below basic), State - 65%[105]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 48% on grade level (30% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[106]
• 2011 - 61%, (23% below basic). State - 60.3%
• 2010 - 48% (35% below basic). State - 59% [107]
• 2009 - 52% (23% below basic), State - 56% [108]
• 2008 - 40% (33% below basic), State - 56%
• 2007 - 42% (33% below basic), State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 25% on grade level (26% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[109]
• 2011 - 31% (18% below basic). State - 40%[110]
• 2010 - 37% (17% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 34% (18% below basic). State - 40%
• 2008 - 27% (17% below basic). State - 39% [111]

In 2014, 52 Juniata Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 509. The Math average score was 505. The Writing average score was 483.[112][113] Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.[114] In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.

In 2013, Juniata High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 490. The Math average score was 471. The Writing average score was 474. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[115]

In 2012, Juniata High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 484. The Math average score was 487. The Writing average score was 478. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, 67 Juniata High School students took the SAT exams. The school's Verbal Average Score was 508. The Math average score was 493. The Writing average score was 487.[116] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[117] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[118]

East Juniata Junior Senior High School is located at Route 35 Cocolamus, McAlisterville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2013, the school reported an enrollment of 555 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 35% of its pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[119]

In 2011, East Juniata Junior Senior High School had 547 pupils in grades 7th through 12th with 168 pupils eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 35.5 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.[120] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[121]

2015 School Performance Profile

The PDE reported that 46% of 8th grade students at East Juniata Junior Senior High School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, only 20% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 72% of the school's 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 47% were on grade level in reading, while 29% showed on grade level math skills.[122] Statewide 58% of eighth (8th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[123]

2014 School Performance Profile

East Juniata Junior Senior High School achieved 58.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - just 61% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 61% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 47% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. The graduation rate was 93%. In writing, 73% of eighth graders demonstrated on grade level skills.[124]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.[125] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[126][127]

Compared with 2013, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.[128]

2013 School Performance Profile

East Juniata Junior Senior High School achieved 70.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 71.79% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 66% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 52% showed on grade level science understanding.[129]

AYP status history

In 2012, East Juniata Junior Senior High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress status.[130] In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status.[131] The graduation rate was 95% in 2011 and 96% in 2010.[132] East Juniata Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status in both 2009 and 2010.[133]

PSSA Results:

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 67% on grade level, (16% below basic). State - 67% [134]
• 2011 - 62% (17% below basic). State - 69.1%[135]
• 2010 - 52%, (30% below basic). State - 66% [136]
• 2009 - 69% (19% below basic). State - 65%[137]
• 2008 - 66% (14% below basic). State - 65%[138]
• 2007 - 64% (17% below basic). State - 65%

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 55% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[139]
• 2011 - 55%, (24% below basic). State - 60.3%
• 2010 - 53%, (21% below basic). State - 59%[140]
• 2009 - 52% (22% below basic). State - 56%
• 2008 - 64% (23% below basic). State - 56%
• 2007 - 39% (36% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 48% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 - 28% (28% below basic). State - 40% [141]
• 2010 - 26% (19% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 35% (15% below basic). State - 40%
• 2008 - 43% (44% below basic). State - 39% [142]

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 59% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 54% (13% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 64% (25% below basic). State - 57%
• 2009 - 69% (14% below basic). State - 55%
• 2008 - 61% (13% below basic), State - 50%

In 2014, 38 East Juniata Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 508. The Math average score was 502. The Writing average score was 491.[144][145]

In 2013, East Juniata Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 540. The Math average score was 551. The Writing average score was 507.

In 2012, 41 East Juniata Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 498. The Math average score was 511. The Writing average score was 473.

In 2011, 34 East Juniata Junior Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The school's Verbal Average Score was 477. The Math average score was 508. The Writing average score was 487.[146] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[147] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[148]

In 2013, East Juniata Junior Senior High School offered 3 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. At East Juniata Junior Senior High School 45% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[149]

In 2014, East Juniata Junior Senior High School again offered 3 AP courses. Fewer than 10 of the pupils, who took an AP course, earned a 3 or better on the exam.[150]

Tuscarora Middle School is a small rural public school located at Old Route 22 East, Mifflintown. In 2013, the Tuscarora Middle School had an enrollment of 422 pupils in grade 6th through 8th, with 43% coming from a home with low income. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, several teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the No Child Left Behind Act.[151]

According to the Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, Tuscarora Middle School reported an enrollment of 428 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 198 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 31.7 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[152] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the majority of teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind Act.[153]

2015 School Performance Profile

The PDE reported that 53% of 8th grade students at Tuscarora Middle School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, just 15% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 52% of the school's 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 40% were on grade level in reading, while 23% showed on grade level math skills. Among 6th graders, 26% were on grade level in reading and 30% were on grade level in mathematics.[154] Statewide 58% of eighth (8th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Among sixth (6th) graders, 60.7% were reading on grade level, while 39.7% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[155]

2014 School Performance Profile

Tuscarora Middle School achieved 69.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 66% of the school's students were on grade level. In Algebra 1/Math, 69.9% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Science, 50% of 8th graders showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 80% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[156]

2013 School Performance Profile

Tuscarora Middle School achieved 61.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, 63% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics, 69% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, 56% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 54% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[157]

AYP History

In 2012, Tuscarora Middle School declined to Corrective Action Level I status due to chronic, low student achievement in reading and math.[158]

• 2011 - declined to School Improvement II status due to low student achievement in reading and math.[159]
• 2010 - Making Progress: in School Improvement I due to chronic low student achievement.[160]
• 2009 - School Improvement I due to low student achievement.[161]

8th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 66% on grade level (19% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[162]
• 2011 - 81% (10% below basic). State - 81.8% [163]
• 2010 - 74% (12% below basic). State - 81% [164]
• 2009 - 69% (18% below basic), State - 80%[165]
• 2008 - 77% (10% below basic), State - 78%

8th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 68% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 76% [166]
• 2011 - 85% (3% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 73% (8% below basic). State -75%
• 2009 - 61% (18% below basic). State - 71%
• 2008 - 65% (16% below basic). State - 70%

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 45% on grade level (34% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 52% (20% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 51% (28% below basic), State - 57%
• 2009 - 41% (33% below basic), State - 55%
• 2008 - 54% (19% below basic), State - 50%

Fayette Township Elementary School is a small rural school located in the borough of McAlisterville. In 2013, the Fayette Township Elementary School's enrollment was 253 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 40% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school provides full-day kindergarten.[167] Fayette Township Elementary School is a federal Title I school.

In 2011, Fayette Township Elementary School's enrollment was 265 pupils with 103 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provided half day kindergarten.[168] The student:teacher ratio was 14:1.

2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, among Fayette Township Elementary School 6th graders, 64% were on grade level in reading and 46% were on grade level in mathematics. For fifth graders, 56% of students at were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 41% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 74% were on grade level in reading, while 55% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 89% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 74% were on grade level in reading and 74% were on grade level in mathematics.[169] Statewide 61.9% of fifth (5th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 42.8% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 4th graders were 58.6% on grade level in reading and 44.4% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 77.3% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among Pennsylvania third (3rd) graders, 62% were reading on grade level, while 48.5% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Among sixth (6th) graders, 60.7% were reading on grade level, while 39.7% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[170]

2014 School Performance Profile

Fayette Township Elementary School achieved a score of 77.3 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013–14, only 68.8% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 78.9% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 86% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 88% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 70% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[171]

2013 School Performance Profile

Fayette Township Elementary School achieved a score of 79.9 of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012–13, only 71% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 82.9% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 81% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 94% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 68% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[172]

AYP history

In 2003 through 2012, Fayette Township Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year.[173]

In 2012, only 70% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th, with 18% below basic. In math, 84% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 56% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 100% of the pupils were on grade level.[174]

Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School is a small, rural public school located in Mifflintown. In 2013, the Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School's enrollment was 250 pupils (K-5th with 46% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School provides full-day kindergarten.[175]

Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School is a federally designated Title I school. In 2011, the school had 237 pupils (K-5) and employed 17 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[176] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[177]

2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 51% of 5th grade students at Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 52% of 5th grade students showed on grade level math skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 47% were on grade level in reading, while 28% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 68% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 59% were on grade level in reading and 40% were on grade level in mathematics.[178][179]

2014 School Performance Profile

Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School achieved a score of 71.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013–14, only 60% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 66.6% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 72% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 73% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 23% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[180]

2013 School Performance Profile

Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School achieved a score of 68.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012–13, only 54% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, just 58% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 64% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 66.6% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only just 38% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[181]

AYP History

In 2012, Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School declined to School Improvement Level I AYP status, due to low student achievement in both reading and mathematics.[182] In 2011, Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement. From 2003 to 2010, Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status each school year.

PSSA results

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 90%, (5% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 95%, (2% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 93%, (0% below basic). State - 81%

Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School is located at. In 2014, the school's enrollment was 130 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 56.7 of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 20% of the pupils receive special education services, while none are identified as gifted.[187] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full-day kindergarten.[188] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, enrollment was 130 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 74 pupils receiving a free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 10 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[189] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[190] The school provided full-day kindergarten to all its pupils since 2004.[191]

2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 30% of 5th grade students at Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 35% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 22% were on grade level in reading, while 16% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 44% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 44% were on grade level in reading and 33% were on grade level in mathematics.[192]

2014 School Performance Profile

Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School achieved a score of 59.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013–14, only 36.9% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, % of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 50.7% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 52% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 16.6% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[193]

2013 School Performance Profile

Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School achieved a score of 60.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012–13, only 38% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 42% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 63% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 73% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 42% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[194]

AYP status history

In 2012, Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status, due to lagging math achievement.[195] In 2009 through 2011, Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School achieved AYP status each year. In 2008, the school declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging academic achievement.

Juniata County School District has provided full-day kindergarten for more than a decade.[196] and preschool.[197] Proponents of full-day kindergarten claim it will reduce special education numbers and it will raise primary student academic achievement especially in reading and math.[198] Those outcomes have not been realized in the Juniata County School District. Reading achievement in particular has not substantially improved.[199]

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 93%, (7% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 92%, (0% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 100% on grade level. State - 81%

Monroe Township Elementary School is located at Route 35 South, Richfield. In 2014, the school's enrollment was 214 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 48% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 13% of the pupils receive special education services, while none are identified as gifted.[203] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full-day kindergarten.[204] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, enrollment was 214 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 103 pupils receiving a free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 13 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 16:1.[205] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[206] The Monroe Township Elementary School provided full-day kindergarten to all its pupils since 2004.[207]

2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 50% of 5th grade students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 41% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 42% were on grade level in reading, while 42% showed on grade level math skills. In science, % of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 58% were on grade level in reading and 54% were on grade level in mathematics. Among 6th graders, 77% were on grade level in reading and 63% were on grade level in mathematics.[208]

2014 School Performance Profile

Monroe Township Elementary School achieved a score of 82.9 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013–14, only 65% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, only 66% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 80% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 91% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 68% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[209]

2013 School Performance Profile

Monroe Township Elementary School achieved a score of 84.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012–13, only 70% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 68% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 81.9% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 95.8% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 57.8% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[210]

AYP status history

From 2003 through 2012, Monroe Township Elementary School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status each school year.[211] In 2012, only 71% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 84% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 57% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils were on grade level.[212]

The District Administration reported that 59 or 1.92% of its students were gifted in 2009.[229] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. Identified students are given the STEP tests to evaluate areas of aptitude.[230] The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student's building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 (+or-2 points) as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[231]

In 2009, the Juniata County School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School received $3,911 which was used to pay for the second grade nutrition education program. Mountain View Elementary School received the same $3,911 which it used for the same nutrition education purpose.[244] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools. The school also receive a Healthy High 5 grant in 2008.[245]

The Juniata County School District participated in Highmark Foundation's Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools grant which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[246] Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.[247]

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Juniata County School District receives 50.4% of its annual revenue from the state.[280]

For the 2014–15 school year, Juniata County School District received $9,818,282 in State Basic Education funding. The district also received another $355,679 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State's enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding.[281] The Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania's Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.[282]

For the 2013–14 school year, Juniata County School District received a 1.9% increase or $9,816,476 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding (BEF). This is $183,537 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the district. Additionally, Juniata County School District received $179,010 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in neighboring Perry County, West Perry School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 2%. The district has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth's budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.[283] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland School District, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it was nearly 49 percent.[284] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[285]

For the 2012–13 school year, Juniata County School District received $9,632,939 in Basic Education Funding from the state.[286] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Juniata County School District received $179,010 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[287] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010–11 school year.

In 2011-12, Juniata County School District received a $9,632,912 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[288][289] Additionally, Juniata County School District received $179,010 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.[290] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011–12.[291] In 2010, the district reported that 1,124 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[292]

For the 2010–11 school year, the Juniata County School District received 4.42% increase in state basic education Funding for a total of $10,561,111. One hundred fifty (150) Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[293] Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.[294]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5% increase in Basic Education funding to Juniata County School District, for a total of $10,114,373. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low-income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and substantial federal funding.[295] Among the 500 public school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.[296] Ninety (90) Pennsylvania public school districts received the base 2% increase. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[297]

In the 2008-09 budget, the state Basic Education funding to Juniata County School District was $9,632,911.82. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1,043 Juniata County School District students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[298]

All Pennsylvania public school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several funding allocations, including: Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; Pennsylvania Accountability Grants; and low achieving schools were eligible for Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including: Special Education funding, English Language Learners grants and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education - local, state and federal dollars combined.[299] By 2015, Pennsylvania is spending over $27 billion on public education (local, state and federal resources combined).[300]

Beginning in 2004–2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania's school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010-11 the Juniata County School District applied for and received $485,876 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 6th year.[301][302]

The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Juniata County School District received $178,441.[303]

Juniata County School District Administration did not apply for funding. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[304] The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009.

Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It's Elementary grant in 2008–09. It was the only elementary school in the district to participate. For the 2008–09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools reaching 66,973 students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[305] In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initiated an effort to improve science instruction in the Commonwealth's public elementary schools. Called Science: It's Elementary, the program was a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.[306] To encourage schools to adopt the program's standards aligned curriculum, the state provided a grant to cover the costs of materials and extensive mandatory teacher training.[307] The district was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. The school district administration was required to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3,000 by PDE to serve as the conduit of all information between the district and the Department and its agents along with submitting orders and distributing supplies to implementing teachers. For the 2006-07 state education budget, $10 million was allocated for the program. The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget. The grant was discontinued in the state's 2011 budget by Governor Edward G. Rendell.

Juniata County School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, 2012 and 2013 nor Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants,[308] nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

The district received an extra $1,500,000 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[309] The funding is for the 2009–10 and 2010-11 school years.

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[310] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[311] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[312] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[313]

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to assist in educating immigrant children and children who are identified as limited English proficient.[314] Upon registering for school a language survey is done for all new enrollment pupils, typically in kindergarten or preschool. They identify the primary language spoken at home. This data is collected and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which in turn notifies the federal government.[315] In 2012–13, Juniata County School District received $1,901 in Title III funding for English language learners.[316]

The Juniata County School Board chose to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[317] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes. The review identified potential annual savings of over $78,000 over a variety of cost centers, including food services, transportation, purchasing and utility costs. Opportunities for savings in food services and utility costs appeared particularly promising for the district.

The Juniata County School Board set property tax rates in 2015–2016 at 58.829 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region.[318] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75 and 85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[319] The school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.[320]

The average yearly property tax paid by Juniata County residents amounts to about 2.78% of their yearly income. Juniata County ranked 739th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[330] According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999–00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.[331] Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).[332]

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not authorized to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011–2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[333]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Juniata County School District 2006-2007 through 2010–2011.[334]

For the 2015-16 budget year, Juniata County School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget 2015–16, 310 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 187 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Regarding the pension costs exception, 172 school districts received approval to exceed the Index limit in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 119 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. No Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.[341]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Juniata County School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget year 2013–14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[342]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Juniata County School Board applied for one exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to the rapidly escalating costs of the teacher's pensions. For 2012–2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[343]

For the 2011–12 school year, Juniata County School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: teacher pension and Special education costs. Each year, the School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[344]

According to a state report, for the 2011–2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district's index. Of the districts who sought exceptions: 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.[345]

Juniata County School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010–11.[346] In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.[347]

In 2013, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Juniata County School District was $87 per approved permanent primary residence, with 5,970 residents applying. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Juniata County School District was $89 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 5,848 property owners applied for the tax relief.[348] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. The Pennsylvania Auditor General found that 52% of property owners applied for tax relief in Juniata County.[349] Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[350] This was the second year Chester Upland School District was the top recipient. The tax relief was started by Governor Rendell with passage of the gaming law. Rendell promised taxpayers substantial property tax relief from legalized gambling.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially more than $35,000, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.[351]

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.[352]