Shippensburg Area School District

In 2013, Shippensburg Area School District's graduation rate was 89.4%. In 2012, Shippensburg Area School District's graduation rate was 86%.[19] In 2011, Shippensburg Area School District's graduation rate was 93%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Shippensburg Area School District's rate was 88% for 2010.[20]

Former calculation graduation rate

• 2010 - 94% [21]
• 2009 - 89%[22]
• 2008 - 93%
• 2007 - 93% [23]
• 2005 - 94% [24]

Shippensburg Area Senior High School is located at 201 Eberly Drive, Shippensburg. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 1,048 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 33.9% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 16% of pupils received special education services, while 1% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 68 teachers.[25] Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics the school has 1,075 pupils enrolled in grades 9th through 12th. The school employed 70 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[26] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[27]

2013 School Performance Profile

Shippensburg Area Senior High School achieved 56.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 34% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 29% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 11% showed on grade level science understanding.[28] 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.[29]

Highest Achieving school List

From 2015 to 2017 Shippensburg became one of the highest performing schools in the state for their yearly SPP (School Performance Profile) score. They achieved scores of 91.3, 91.7 and 92.1 (out of a total possible 100 points). This ranked them at or near the top of all high schools in Cumberland and Franklin counties and also put them in the top tier statewide.

Lowest achieving school list

In July 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying Shippensburg Area Senior High School as among the lowest-achieving schools, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for reading and mathematics in 2012. It remained on the list in 2013-2014. The school's academic achievement fell among the 15% lowest-achieving schools in the Commonwealth. 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.[30] 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 must pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.[31] Shippensburg Area Senior High School was the only public school in Cumberland County to appear on the list. According to the report, parents in over 400 public schools (71 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list, including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District, and Steelton-Highspire School District.[32] Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

AYP History

In the school years 2015-2017 Shippensburg Area Senior High School reversed its School Improvement status and became one of the highest performing schools in the state for their yearly SPP (School Performance Profile) score. They achieved scores of 91.3, 91.7 and 92.1. This ranked them at or near the top of all high school in Cumberland and Franklin counties and also put them in the top tier statewide. In addition, during these years Shippensburg was also recognized for excellence in its AP (Advanced Placement) program by being named to the AP Honor Roll. Inclusion on the honor roll is reserved for the top 400-500 districts nationwide and is calculated using a school AP scores, as well as the number of students who are enrolled in the program. Shippensburg drastically increased enrollment in its program while also improving average achievement on the AP exams administered in the spring.

In 2012, Shippensburg Area Senior High School declined further to School Improvement I AYP status due to low academic achievement in both math and reading along with a declining graduation rate.[33] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the Shippensburg administration to develop and implement a school improvement plan that focused on achievement. The plan had to be submitted to the PDE for approval. The school is eligible for extra grants for funding the changes. The school was mandated under No Child Left Behind to notify the parents of the low achievement and to offer the opportunity to transfer the child to a better performing school within the District.

• 2011 - declined to Warning status, due to lagging academic achievement, of low-income students and special education students.
• 2010 - achieved AYP status.[34]
• 2009 - Warning level due to chronically low academic achievement.[35]

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.[36]

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.[37]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 57% on grade level (22% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[38]
• 2011 - 69% (15% below basic). State - 69.1% [39]
• 2010 - 60%, (20% below basic). State - 67% [40]
• 2009 - 41%, State - 65%
• 2008 - 58%, State - 65% [41]
• 2007 - 49%, State - 65% [42]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 46% on grade level (34% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[43]
• 2011 - 55%, (20% below basic). State - 60.3%
• 2010 - 51%, (23% below basic). State - 59%.
• 2009 - 41%, State - 56%[44]
• 2008 - 55%, State - 56%[45]
• 2007 - 48%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 38% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[46]
• 2011 - 38% (13% below basic). State - 40% [47]
• 2010 - 30%, (21% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 22%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 31%, State - 39% [48]

College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 14% of Shippensburg 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.[49] 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.[50] 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.

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Shippensburg Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 26 credits to graduate, including: math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Wellness fitness 2 credits, Career Exploration 0.5 credits, Arts Humanities 2 credits and electives. A Personal Finance Management is also required for graduation effective 2013.[51]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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.[52] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[53]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[54][55][56] 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.[57] 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.[58] 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.

The school district offers a dual enrollment program. This state-funded 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 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.[59] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[60] 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.[61] For the 2009-10 funding year, Shippensburg Area School District received a state grant of $8,621 for its dual enrollment program.

In 2013, Shippensburg Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 489. The Math average score was 491. The Writing average score was 469. 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.[62]

In 2012, Shippensburg Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 494. The Math average score was 495. The Writing average score was 471. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 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, 145 Shippensburg Area students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 494. The Math average score was 490. The Writing average score was 472.[63] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[64] 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.[65]

AP Honor Roll

From 2015 to 2017 Shippensburg Area Senior High school was named to the College Board's AP Honor Roll list. Inclusion on the honor roll is reserved for the top 400-500 districts nationwide and is calculated using a school AP scores, as well as the number of students who are enrolled in the program. Shippensburg drastically increased enrollment in its program while also improving average achievement on the AP exams administered in the spring.

In 2013, Shippensburg Area Senior High School offered 13 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The student pays the fee for the exam which was $89 per test per pupil in 2012. 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 Shippensburg Area Senior High School 40% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[66]

Shippensburg Area Middle School is located at 101 Park Place, Shippensburg. In 2013, enrollment was 821 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 38.6% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14.8% of pupils received special education services, while 1.7% of pupils were identified as gifted.[67] According to a 2013 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[68]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school has 787 pupils enrolled in grades 6th through 8th. The school employed 50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[69] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[70]

2013 School Performance Profile

Shippensburg Area Middle School achieved 79.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, just 69% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 79.7% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 56.7% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 72% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[71]

AYP history

In 2012, Shippensburg Area Middle School declined again to School Improvement I status due to low student achievement in reading and mathematics in sixth grade.[72] In 2011, Shippensburg Area Middle School is in Warning status due to lagging student academic achievement. In 2010, Shippensburg Area Middle School achieved AYP status.

Science in Motion Shippensburg Area Middle School took 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.[73] The School worked with Gettysburg College to provide the experiences.

PSSA Results

Sixth and 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.[74] 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.[75] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[36] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.[76]

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 61% (14% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 50% (25% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 61% (22% below basic). State - 57% 57 [82]
• 2009 - 57%, State - 55% [83]
• 2008 - 56%, State - 52% [84]

Shippensburg Area Intermediate School is located at 601 Hollar Avenue, Shippensburg. In 2013, Shippensburg Area Intermediate School's enrollment was 473 pupils in grades 4th and 5th, with 47.5% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 10% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.[85] 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 half day kindergarten.[86] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, Shippensburg Area Intermediate School had 516 pupils enrolled in grades 4th and 5th. The School employed 28 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.[87]

2013 School Performance Profile

Shippensburg Area Intermediate School achieved a score of 83.2 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 63.8% of the students were reading on grade level. In math, 80.5% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, 84% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 65% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[88]

AYP history

In 2012, Shippensburg Area Intermediate School achieved AYP status. In 2011, the Intermediate School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II status. In 2010, Shippensburg Area Intermediate School declined to School Improvement II.[89] In 2010, the school was in School Improvement level I due to chronically low academic achievement of special education students in reading.[90]

PSSA Results

The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.[91] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[92][93][94] 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.[95]

4th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 92%, 43% advanced. State - 82%
• 2011 - 88%, 50% advanced. State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 82%, 44% advanced. State - 81%
• 2009 - 90%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 88%, State - 81%

Grace B Luhrs University Elementary School is operated in cooperation with Shippensburg University and is located on the campus of the university. Children must apply to attend G B Luhrs which does accept special education children. The School offers Kindergarten through fifth grade to approximately 126 students. Transportation is the parent's responsibility.[101]

In 2013, the School's enrollment was 122 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 9% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 9% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.[102] 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.[103] The school is not a federally designated Title I school.

2013 School Performance Profile

Luhrs University Elementary School achieved a score of 88.5 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 83% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 93% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 95% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 90.4% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 75% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[104]

AYP History

In 2010 through 2012, the school achieved AYP status. The attendance rate was 96% in 2010. It declined to 93% in 2011.[105]

PSSA results

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 95%, 86% advanced. State - 82%
• 2011 - 95%, 45% advanced. State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 90%, 63% advanced. State - 81%
• 2009 - 90%, 60% advanced. State - 83%

James Burd Elementary School is located at 101 Park Place, Shippensburg. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 469 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 46% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 11% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.[106] 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 half day kindergarten.[86] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, the Burd Elementary School had 446 pupils enrolled in grades kindergarten through third grade. The school employed 33 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[107]

2013 School Performance Profile

Burd Elementary School achieved a score of 81.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 76.99% of the students were reading on grade level in 3rd grade. In math, 80.7% were on grade level (3rd grades).[108]

AYP History

In 2012, James Burd Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status, due to lagging reading and mathematics achievement. In 2011, James Burd Elementary School achieved AYP status.[109] The attendance rate was 96% in 2010 and declined to 94% in 2011.[110] The school changed to K-3rd grade in 2009 with the building of the intermediate school.

PSSA Results

Nancy Grayson Elementary School is located at 101 Park Place, Shippensburg. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 479 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 43% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 12% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.[117] 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 half day kindergarten.[86] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, the school had 453 pupils enrolled in grades kindergarten through third grade. The school employed 31 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[118] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[119]

2013 School Performance Profile

Nancy Grayson Elementary School achieved a score of 80.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, in 3rd grade, only 74% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 81% were on grade level (3rd grade).[120]

AYP history

In 2012, Nancy Grayson Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status. In 2011, Nancy Grayson Elementary School achieved AYP status.[121] The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and declined to 93% in 2011.[122] The school changed to K-3rd grade in 2009 with the building of the intermediate school.

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[92][93][94] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading and mathematics.

The District Administration reported that 83 or 2.43% of its students were gifted in 2009.[136] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. 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 must also be considered for eligibility.[137]

For the 2013-14 school year, the Shippensburg Area School District will receive a 2.5% increase or $8,766,554 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $212,592 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Shippensburg Area School District will receive $217,903 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Cumberland County, Camp Hill School District received the highest percentage increase at 4.7%. Among Franklin County public school districts the highest recipient was Greencastle-Antrim School District which received a 3.1% increase. 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.[164] 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.[165]

For the 2012-13 school year, Shippensburg Area School District received $8,771,842.[166] 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 program. Shippensburg Area School District received $217,903 in ABG funds. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[167] This amount is 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, the Shippensburg Area School District received $8,564,612 in state Basic Education Funding.[168] Additionally, the District received $217,903 in Accountability Block Grant funding.[169] The Pennsylvania Department of Education reports that 1,017 of the District's pupils received a federal free and reduced-price lunch, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

In 2010-2011, Shippensburg Area School District received a 6.83% increase ($604,793) in Basic Education Funding for a total of $9,453,394. Four county school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2010-11. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2010. In Cumberland County, Camp Hill School District received the highest - a 13.99% increase. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest with a 23.65% increase in funding.[170] One hundred fifty school districts were allotted the base 2% state funding increase in 2010-11. 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 public school district received was determined by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Geerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[171]

In 2009-10, Shippensburg Area School District received an 8.43% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,848,949. Seven county school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. Ninety school districts were allotted the base 2% state funding increase in 2009-10. 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.[172] 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.[173][174]

The state's Basic Education Funding to the Shippensburg Area School District in 2008-09 was $8,160,614.58.[175] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 829 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[176]

Pennsylvania school districts also receive 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 - $565,362 to Shippensburg ASD in 2010; and Educational Assistance Program Funding (Shippensburg ASD applied for $0). Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including Special Education 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.

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 Shippensburg Area School District applied for and received $591,443 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 4th year and to pay for professional development to improve instruction.[177][178]

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. Shippensburg Area School District received $302,173 funding in 2006-07. The following year the high school received an additional $300,000. In 2008-09, the district received $27,828 for a total funding of $630,001. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future state grant awards.[179]

The District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants, Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the 21st Century learning grants.

The Shippensburg Area School Board chose to not permit the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program access to the district records. 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.[180] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Shippensburg Area School District received an extra $2,041,564 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students. This was in addition to all regular state and federal funding.[181] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.[182] 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.

Shippensburg Area School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[183] 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.[184] Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state Race to the Top application judging was to occur in June 2010.[185]

Shippensburg Area School Board set property tax rates for 2013-14 at 10.400 mills for residents in Cumberland County and 95.3500 mills for residents in Franklin County. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. 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. 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. 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.[186] School districts located in more than one county are required to apportion the tax levy based on the market value in each county as determined by the State Tax Equalization Board pursuant to section 672.1 of the School Code. As a result, the tax rate increases are not the same for each county in a multi-county school district.[187] 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. In 2010, Cumberland County engaged in a property value reassessment.

• 2012-13 - 10.2200 mills for Cumberland County and 93.3500 mills for residents in Franklin County.
• 2011-12 - 10.0100 mills Cumberland County and 95.2100 mills Franklin County.
• 2010-11 - 13.5500 mills Cumberland County and 97.1400 mills Franklin County.[188]
• 2009-10 - 13.2100 mills Cumberland County and 93.6000 mills Franklin County.[189]
• 2008-09 - 13.0800 mills Cumberland County and 90.3100 mills Franklin County.[190]
• 2007-08 - 12.7500 mills Cumberland County and 88.4800 mills Franklin County.[191]
• 2006-07 - 12.4000 mills Cumberland County and 85.9400 mills Franklin County.[192]
• 2005-06 - 11.3300 mills Cumberland County and 79.6500 mills Franklin County.[193]

The average yearly property tax paid by Franklin County residents amounts to about 2.94% of their yearly income. Franklin County ranked 631st out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[194] 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.[195] 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%).[196]

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed 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 2010-2011 school year, was 1.4 percent, but it 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, increasing rising health care 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.[197]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Shippensburg Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[198]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Shippensburg Area 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.[202]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Shippensburg Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to teacher pension 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.[203]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Shippensburg Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Shippensburg Area 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 publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[204]

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.[205]

Shippensburg Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2010-11.[206] 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.[207]

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Shippensburg Area School District was set per approved permanent primary residence. In Cumberland County the highest amount of relief in 2009 went to Mechanicsburg Area School District at $140. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[208] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property 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.

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 whose income is substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This rebate can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

In 2011, James Burd Elementary School received a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant of $6,810, which was used to implement the Weller Center's six-week Nutrition Education workshop series for all 2nd graders.[211] 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 District funds:

Middle School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [215]