Shenandoah Valley School District

In 2015, The district's graduation rate was 88.8%.[47]

• 2014 - 85%.[48]
• 2013 - 80%[49]
• 2012 - 67%.[50]
• 2011 - 79%.[51]
• 2010 - 79%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.[52]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 83%[53]
• 2009 - 87%[54]
• 2008 - 85%[55]
• 2007 - 85%[56]

Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School is located at 805 West Centre Street, Shenandoah. In 2015, enrollment was reported as 443 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 59% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 20% of pupils received special education services, while 4.5% of pupils were identified as gifted.[57] The school employed 38 teachers.[58] Per the PA Department of Education, 12% of the teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[59]

In 2014, Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School enrollment was reported as 467 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 71% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.7% of pupils received special education services, while 2% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 27 teachers.[60] Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School reported an enrollment of 455 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 296 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 41 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 11:1.[61] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 25 classes were taught by teachers who were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[62] The attendance rate was reported as 92%.

2015 School Performance Profile

Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School achieved a score of 60 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that just 69% of the students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 50% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, only 45% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[63] 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.[64][65]

2014 School Performance Profile

Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School achieved 54.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 62% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 51.8% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 40.5% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[66][67] 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%.[68]

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.[69] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[70][71]

Compared with last year, 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.[72]

2013 School Performance Profile

Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School achieved 59.1 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 60% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 43.69% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 40% showed on grade level science understanding.[73] 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, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[74]

In 2012, Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School declined to School Improvement I Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to low graduation rate and chronic, low student academic achievement in both reading and mathematics. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the district. Additionally, the 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.[75] In 2010 and 2011, the school was in Warning AYP status.[76] In 2007 through 2010, the Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status. In 2006, the school was in Warning AYP status.

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.[77] 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.[78]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 56% on grade level, (25% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[79]
• 2011 - 51% (23% below basic). State - 69.1%[80]
• 2010 - 49%, State - 66%[81]
• 2009 - 46%, State - 65%[82]
• 2008 - 56%, State - 65%[83]
• 2007 - 53%, State - 65%[84]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 45% on grade level (30% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[85]
• 2011 - 31% (36% below basic). State - 60.3%[86]
• 2010 - 29%, State - 59%[87]
• 2009 - 27%, State - 56%[88]
• 2008 - 40%, State - 56%[89]
• 2007 - 42%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 28% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[90]
• 2011 - 17% (20% below basic). State - 40%[91]
• 2010 - 27%, State - 39%
• 2009 - 22%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 22%, State - 39%

Science in Motion Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School did not take advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[92] Susquehanna University provides the enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 39% of Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School 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.[93][94] 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.[95][96] 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.

Shenandoah Valley School District does not offer the Pennsylvania dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[97] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[98] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.[99] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth budget, due to a state budget crisis.

The Shenandoah Valley School Board has determined that a student must earn 22.5 credits to graduate.[100]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[101] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[102]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2019,[103] public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[104] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade. Students have several opportunities to pass the exam, with those who do not able to perform a project in order to graduate.[105][106] For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.[107] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.[108] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

In 2014, Shenandoah Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 415. The Math average score was 426. The Writing average score was 403.[109][110] 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.[111]

In 2013, 59 Shenandoah Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 436. The Math average score was 457. The Writing average score was 415. 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.[112]

In 2012, 42 Shenandoah Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 435. The Math average score was 441. The Writing average score was 440. 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, 47 Shenandoah Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 445. The Math average score was 461. The Writing average score was 438.[113] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[114] 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.[115]

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania's SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.[116]

In 2015, Shenandoah Valley High School offered 2 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).[117] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School none of the students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[118] In 2014, none of the pupils who took an AP course at Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School, achieved a 3 or better.[119]

Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School offered AP Music Theory in the 2014–2015 school year. AP courses are also offered through the Virtual Academy.

Seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[120] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.[121] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[122] In 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.[123]

8th Grade Reading

• 2015 - 36% on grade level (20% below basic). State - 58% on grade level
• 2012 - 64% (16% below basic). State - 79%[124]
• 2011 - 68% (21% below basic) State - 81.8%
• 2010 - 82%, State - 81%[125]
• 2009 - 76%, State - 80%[126]
• 2008 - 91%, State - 78%[127]
• 2007 - 69%, State - 75%[128]

8th Grade Math

• 2015 - 4% on grade level (77% below basic). State - 29% on grade level
• 2012 - 58% (20% below basic). State - 76%
• 2011 - 57% (24% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 60%, State - 75%
• 2009 - 61%, State - 71%
• 2008 - 69%, State - 70%[129]
• 2007 - 62%, State - 67%

8th Grade Science

• 2015 - 37% on grade level (43% below basic)
• 2012 - 39% on grade level (37% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 24% (44% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 61%, State - 57%.
• 2009 - 46%, State: - 54%[130]
• 2008 - 47%, State - 52%[131]

Dropout Early Warning System

In 2013, Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior School District did not implement a no cost dropout prevention Early Warning System and Interventions Catalog at the junior high school.[132] The process identifies students at risk for dropping out by examining the pupil's: attendance, behavior and course grades. Interventions are implemented to assist at-risk pupils to remain in school. The program is funded by federal and private dollars.[133]

Shenandoah Valley Junior Senior High School offers after school tutoring for students in grades 7-12, on any subject, in a program called The Successful Student Partnership Program.

Shenandoah Valley Elementary School is located at 805 West Centre Street, Shenandoah. In 2015, the school's enrollment was 572 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 67.8% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.8% of the pupils receive special education services, while 1% are identified as gifted.[134] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2% of the teachers were rated Non-highly Qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full-day kindergarten.[135] The school is a federally designated Title I school. In the 2003–2004 school year, the district initiated full-day kindergarten[136] and preschool.[137] 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.[138] Those outcomes have not been realized in the Shenandoah Valley School District. Reading achievement in particular has not improved.[139]

In 2014, the school's enrollment was 591 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 82% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 15.9% of the pupils receive special education services, while 1% are identified as gifted.[140] 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 full-day kindergarten and taxpayer-funded preschool.[141] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 632 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 467 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 48 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[142] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[143] The school provided both a taxpayer-funded preschool with three classes in 2013 and provided full-day kindergarten.

2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 51% of 5th grade students at Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, only 33% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 36% were on grade level in reading, while just 12% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 72% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 57% were on grade level in reading and 43% were on grade level in mathematics. Among 6th graders, 50% were on grade level in reading and just 27% were on grade level in mathematics.[144] 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.[145] Fifth grade writing scores were not reported by the state.

2014 School Performance Profile

Shenandoah Valley Elementary School achieved a score of 72.7 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, 62.8% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, just 66% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 72% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 71% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[146]

2013 School Performance Profile

Shenandoah Valley Elementary School achieved a score of 77.5 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 57.9% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, just 66% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 71.96% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 73.68% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 62.86% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[147] 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.

AYP History

In 2012, Shenandoah Valley Elementary School declined to Corrective Action II 1st Year AYP status due to chronic, low student academic achievement in both reading and mathematics.[148]

• 2011 - declined to Corrective Action I due to chronic low student achievement in both reading and mathematics.
• 2010 - declined to School Improvement II AYP status due to chronic low student achievement for two subgroups.[149] Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parents the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the district.[150] Additionally, Shenandoah Valley Elementary School Administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student reading and math achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[151] The attendance rate was 94% in 2009–2010.
• 2009 - declined to School Improvement I AYP status
• 2008 - declined to Warning AYP status
• 2004-2007 - achieved Adequate Yearly Progress status each school year
• 2003 - Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading and math

PSSA results

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Sixth grade is tested in reading and mathematics.[152] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[153][154][155] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.[156]

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 81% (6% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 82% (7% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 73% (2% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 - 73%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 81%, State - 81%

The District Administration reported that 7 or 0.66% of its students were identified as gifted in 2009.[185] 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. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[186]

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Shenandoah Valley School District receives 65.7% of its annual revenue from the state.[241] This is far greater than the 50% state support pushed for by some public education advocates.[242]

In December 2014, the Pennsylvania Education Funding Reform Commission conducted a hearing. Testimony was given regarding state funding at the fastest growing districts and those with the greatest decline in enrollment since 1996.[243][244] The commission developed a new basic education funding formula which sets a new way to distribute state basic education dollars. It abolished the practice of "hold harmless" funding, which gave districts at least the same as they got the previous school year regardless of declining enrollment. The plan became law in June 2016 (House Bill 1552).[245][246][247]

For the 2016–2017 school year, Shenandoah Valley School District received $7,219,907 in Basic Education Funding (BEF) from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This is a 4.8% increase over 2015-16 funding to the district. This was the highest percentage of BEF increase in Schuylkill County under the state's Basic Education Funding formula. For the 2016–2017 school year, Pennsylvania increased its public education spending to a record high of $5,895 billion. It was a $200 million increase, 3.51% increase over the 2015-16 appropriation.[248] The state also funded Ready to Learn grants at $250 million and Special Education funding received a $20 million increase.[249] The state also paid $492 million to the school employee social security fund and another $2.064 billion to the teacher's pension fund.[250] Shenandoah Valley School District also received special education funding, Ready to Learn funding and transportation funding from the state.

For the 2015–2016 school year, Governor Tom Wolf released a partial Basic Education Funding of $3,225,954 to Shenandoah Valley School District, in January 2016.[251] This was part of $10.3 billion in school funding withheld from the public schools, by the Governor since the summer of 2015.[252] The dispersement did not follow the new Basic Education Fair Funding formula which had been established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in June 2015.[253] Ten (10) Pennsylvania school districts received no increase in Basic Education funding under Governor Wolf.[254][255] The district also received $205,192 in Ready to Learn funding.

In compliance with a legislative mandate that was passed with veto proof majorities in the Pennsylvania House and Senate,[256] the final BEF funding was determined for 2015-16, in April 2016. Shenandoah Valley School District received $6,890,425 in Basic Education Funds for the 2015–2016 school year. This was a 3.78% increase yielding a $251,253 increase over the previous school year funding. The district also received $237,689 in Ready to Learn funding from the state.[257]

For the 2014–2015 school year, Shenandoah Valley School District received $6,648,829 in State Basic Education funding. The district received $179,978 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.[258] 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.[259]

For the 2013–2014 school year, the Shenandoah Valley School District will receive a 1.7% increase or $6,653,050 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $108,366 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the district. Additionally, Shenandoah Valley School District will receive $73,791 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Schuylkill County, Blue Mountain School District and Saint Clair Area School District received the highest percentage increase at 2.2%. 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.[260] The state funded the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[261]

For the 2012–2013 school year, Shenandoah Valley School District received $6,544,684.00.[262] 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 2011–2012 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Shenandoah Valley School District will receive $73,791 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.[263] 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.

For the 2011–2012 school year, Shenandoah Valley School District received a $6,546,340 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[264][265] Additionally, the Shenandoah Valley School District received $73,791 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount was a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.[266] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District of Allegheny County, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011–2012.[267] In 2010, the district reported that 784 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[268]

For the 2010–2011 school year, Shenandoah Valley School District received a 4.57% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $7,241,012 payment.[269] The highest increase in BEF in Schuylkill County went to Minersville Area School District which received 9.96%. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–2011 school year. 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.[270]

For the 2009–2010 budget year, the Pennsylvania provided a 14.50% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $6,924,761 to Shenandoah Valley School District. 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 more.[271] Shenandoah Valley School District received the highest increase in Schuylkill County. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase in state basic education funding.[272]

For the 2008–2009 school year, the state Basic Education Funding to the Shenandoah Valley School District was $6,048,031.85. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.[273][274] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 672 District students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[275] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.[276][277]

All Pennsylvania school districts have also received additional funding from the state through several other funding allocations, including Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA 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 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.[278]

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 Shenandoah Valley School District applied for and received $200,288 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the seventh year.[279][280]

Beginning in the 2014–2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.[281]

Shenandoah Valley School District received $179,978 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, PreK Counts funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

In 2015, Shenandoah Valley School District received $237,689 in Ready to Learn Grant.

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 2006–2009. Shenandoah Valley School District did not apply for funding in 2006–2007. In 2007-08 it received $40,485. For the 2008–2009 school year the district received $20,679 for a total funding of $61,164. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[282] Among the public school districts in Schuylkill County the highest award was given to North Schuylkill School District which received $245,673. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Shenadoah Valley School District participated in a pilot year of the state's Hybrid learning initiative. Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning uses three learning models to increase student achievement: instruction from the teacher, group activities, and self-instruction through digital content. According to state testing results, among the pilot schools, 88 percent achieved higher academic performance in hybrid classes compared to traditional classes in the same district or statewide benchmarks, 75 percent reported better academic achievement, and all of them met or exceeded academic growth.[283] In 2013-14, the state awarded $633,000 in federal Title 2A funds to accelerate teacher training in the implementation of hybrid learning programs in 50 school buildings in 34 school entities. In 2012, $1.1 million was awarded to 15 districts to launch the first hybrid pilot schools in the state that included more than 1,900 students and 48 teachers.[284] Shenandoah Valley SD received $20,000 in 2013–2014.

Shenandoah Valley School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;[285][286] PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009–2010 budget by Governor Rendell);[287] Education Assistance Grants; 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant;[288] 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants; PreK Counts funding for the preschool; Project 720 High School Reform grants[289] nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Shenandoah Valley School District received an extra $1,900,032 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[290] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010–2011 school years.[291] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one time expenditures like: acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced in March 2012, that the first-year data suggest student achievement is improving at campuses that participated in the federal School Improvement Grant program. He reported that at nearly 60 percent of SIG schools, more students are demonstrating proficiency in reading and math. Nearly a quarter of those schools reported math improvement in the double digits, and close to 20 percent of schools saw double-digit gains in reading.[292]

The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools.[293] The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest achieving schools in August 2011. The funding is for three years.[294]

For the 2009–2010 school year, Shenandoah Valley School District administration received a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the elementary school of $80,676.[295] Districts with chronically low achieving schools are not required to apply for this funding.[296]

In 2010, Pennsylvania received $141 million from the US Department of Education, to turn around its worst-performing schools. The funds were disbursed via a competitive grant program.[297] The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified 200 Pennsylvania schools as "persistently lowest achieving," making them eligible for this special funding.[298] Pennsylvania required low performing schools to apply or provide documentation about why they had not applied. The funds must be used, by the district, to turn around schools in one of four ways: school closure, restart - close the school and reopen it as a charter school. The other two options involve firing the principal. One would require at least half the faculty in a chronically poor performing school be dismissed. The second involves intensive teacher training coupled with strong curriculum revision or a longer school day.[299]

Shenandoah Valley School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to one million dollars of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[300] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[301] 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.[302]

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to be used to improve the quality of teacher instructions to pupils. The goal is to provide each child in public schools with "High Quality" teachers and principals as defined by the state.[303] The funds are sent to the state Department of Education which distributes them to each school district and charter school.[304] Beginning in 2002, the federal funding committed to Title II was $3,175,000,000.

Public school district administrations must apply to the state annually for the Title II funds. In 2012-13, Shenandoah Valley School District received $57,156 in federal Title II funding.[305] In 2014-15, Shenandoah Valley School District applied for and received $77,172.[306]

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to assist in educating immigrant children and children who are identified as limited English proficient.[307] 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.[308]

In 2012-13, Shenandoah Valley School District received $26,615 in Title III funding for English language learners.[309] For 2014-15, Shenandoah Valley School District received $27,089 in Title III funding.[310]

The Shenandoah Valley School Board did not 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.[311] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Shenandoah Valley School Board set property tax rates at 56.975 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.[312] 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 all government property (local, state and federal). Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Unlike other states, under Pennsylvania state tax policy, natural gas and oil pipelines are exempted from property taxes.[313]

Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[314] When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two or more counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[315] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.[316]

The average yearly property tax paid by Schuylkill County residents amounts to about 2.84% of their yearly income. Schuylkill County ranked 700th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[328] 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.[329] 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%).[330]

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.[331]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Shenandoah Valley School District 2006–2007 through 2010–2011.[332]

For the 2016–2017 budget year, Shenandoah Valley School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the district's Act 1 Index limit.[340] Statewide 299 school districts adopted a resolution to not exceed their Act I index in 2016–2017.

For the 2015–2016 budget year, Shenandoah Valley 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 2014–2015 budget year, Shenandoah Valley School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[342] For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.[343]

For the 2013–2014 budget year, Shenandoah Valley School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget year 2013–2014, 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.[344]

For the 2012–2013 budget year, Shenandoah Valley School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: teacher pension costs and special education costs. 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.[345]

For the 2011–2012 school year, the Shenandoah Valley School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Shenandoah Valley 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.

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.[346]

The Shenandoah Valley School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2010–2011.[347] 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.[348]

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Shenandoah Valley School District was $133 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,349 property owners applied for the tax relief. Schuylkill Haven Area School District received $195 which was the highest property tax relief allotted in Schuylkill County for 2009.[349] 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 and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.[350] 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.[351] This was the second year they were the top recipient.

In Pennsylvania, the homestead exclusion reduces the assessed values of homestead properties, reducing the property tax on these homes. The homestead exclusion allows homeowners real property tax relief of up to one half of the median assessed value of homesteads in the taxing jurisdiction (county, school district, city, borough, or township).[352]

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.[353]

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.[389] According to Pennsylvania's Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.[390][391]

Shenandoah Valley School District does not provide its athletics disclosure form on its web site.[392] Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012–2013 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013–2014 school year, all non-school (booster club and alumni) contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.[393]

The Shenandoah Valley girls' basketball team won the District XI championship during the 2014–2015 school year under head coach Chris Conroy.

The district funds:

Junior High School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2016.[394]