Northwestern

Lehigh School
District
Excellence through learning!
2008—2009
Annual Report Card
www.nwlehighsd.org
1
 Table of Contents

About this report card 4

Northwestern Lehigh School District Mission Statement 4

Northwestern Lehigh School District Profile 5

Enrollment of Race/Ethnic Groups 5

Staffing Profile 5

Levels of Teacher Education 5

Highly Qualified Teacher Percentages 5

Adequate Yearly Progress Definition 6

Adequate Yearly Progress Target Scores (2007—2010) 6

Non-Compliance Process 6

Proficient and Advanced Levels 6

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Testing Data Comparison 7

Grade 3 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 8

Grade 4 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 8

Grade 5 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 9

Grade 6 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 9

Grade 7 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 10

Grade 8 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 10

Grade 11 2007 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 10

Grade 3 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 11

Grade 4 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 11

Grade 5 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 12

Grade 6 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 12

Grade 7 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 13

2
 Table of Contents (continued)

Grade 8 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 13

Grade 11 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading Graphical Data (NWLSD vs. State) 13

SAT; PSAT; NMSQT; AP Data 14

College Entrance Exam Information 15

2004—2008 Student Graduation Plans 15

2007—2008 Grade Distribution Information 16

Northwestern Lehigh School District Community Information 17

Northwestern Lehigh School District Fiscal Information 18

Northwestern Lehigh School District Board of Directors/Administration 19

Northwestern Lehigh School District Buildings 20

3
About this Report Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), school districts, nation-
Card... wide, are required to provide parents and community members with an overview
of the performance of students on their state’s standardized test series. In Penn-
sylvania, this series is referred to as the Pennsylvania System of School Assess-
ment (PSSA). The following information is a representation of what grades are
assessed using the PSSA and in what subject areas:

Mathematics—grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11
Reading—grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11
Writing—grades 5, 8, and 11
Science—grades 4, 8, and 11

Historical results of our students’ performance from 2004 to 2008 are provided in
this report to give a complete picture of the progress we have made as a School
District since the inception of the PSSA test in 2003.

Because the ultimate goal of NCLB is to ensure that every child is achieving at or
above proficiency by 2014, regardless of his or her background, student achieve-
ment data is provided by race, ethnicity, gender, English language proficiency
(students whose native language is not English), migrant status, disability status,
and low-income status. The report also contains information about students in
grades Kindergarten through 8th and the graduation rate of high school students.

It is our hope that the following information will provide our constituency, the
parents and community members of the Northwestern Lehigh School District,
with an overview of our students’ performance on the PSSA, the District’s finan-
cial position, and other meaningful information.

We look forward to working as a team for the continued success of our North-
western Lehigh students.

Mission Our mission is to engage students, employees and the community

Statement... in a partnership to achieve excellence
through learning!

4
District Profile Total Enrollment 2413
Special Education Enrollment 359
Gifted Program Enrollment 119
Limited English Proficient Enrollment 12
Percent of Low-Income 12%
Number of Schools in the District 4
2007—2008 Student Attendance Rate (K-12) 95.36%
Northwestern Lehigh High School 93.58%
Northwestern Lehigh Middle School 95.63%
Northwestern Elementary School 95.93%
Weisenberg Elementary 96.29%
2007—2008 Graduation Rate 95%

Enrollment of Racial/Ethnic Groups (%) NWLSD State County

White 95.8 74.6 62.4
Black 0.6 15.9 8.6
Hispanic 2.6 6.8 25.6
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.8 2.6 3.3
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.3 0.2 0.2

Staffing Profile Full-Time Part-Time

District Administrators 12
District Administrative Support 9
School Administrators 7
School Administrative Support 15
Classroom Instructors 156 2
Special Education Teachers 23
Speech Therapists 2 1
Gifted Education Teachers 2 1
Library/Media Specialists 4
Library/Media Support 4
School Counselors 7
Student Support Services 10
Other Support Services (custodial,
food services, etc.) 113

Levels of Teacher Education Degree Number

Bachelors Degree 32
Bachelors Degree plus 24 credits 28.9
Masters Degree 91.9
Masters Degree plus 24 credits 36

Highly Qualified Teachers Building Percentage

“Highly Qualified Teachers” are Northwestern Lehigh High School 99%
described as those instructors who Northwestern Lehigh Middle School 98%
hold a bachelors degree, have Northwestern Elementary School 100%
completed a content area major Weisenberg Elementary School 100%
and a teacher education program. Northwestern Lehigh School District Average 99.25%

5
Adequate Yearly Progress Adequate yearly Progress (AYP) is a measure of yearly progress
toward achieving State academic standards. AYP is the minimum
level of improvement that a school district must achieve.

The chart below illustrates the state pathway to proficiency by year.

School Year 2002-04 2004-07 2007-10 2011

Percent Proficient
In Reading 45 54 63 72

Percent Proficient
in Math 35 45 56 67

Each year, schools are expected to make Adequate Yearly Progress

(AYP) toward this goal.

AYP Targets 2005-2007 Pennsylvania established the following AYP targets for 2007-2010:
• 63% of students proficient or above in reading
• 56% of students proficient or above in math
• 95% student participation in PSSA
• A minimum graduation rate of 80% or growth toward this
benchmark
• A minimum attendance rate of 90% or growth toward this
benchmark

Non-Compliance Process If a school or district does not meet its AYP thresholds in the first
year, it is given a “warning” status. Warning status means that the
school fell short of the AYP targets but has another year to achieve
them. If a school does not met AYP for two consecutive years, it is
designated as needing improvement and is placed in the School
Improvement I category. With each year that follows, if the school
does not meet AYP, it moves through a progression of categories—
School Improvement II, Corrective Action I and Corrective
Action II. Each of these categories requires action on the part of the
school district and communication to the parents and community.

A single test cannot provide a fair picture of whether or not a school

is in need of improvement. Our District Report Card provides other
required indicators of student achievement as well as District demo
graphics.

Proficient and The Pennsylvania Academic Standards define what each student
Advanced Levels “should know and should be able to do” in a core set of subjects.
These Standards were used to establish the Proficient and Advanced
Levels of achievement for the PSSA test.

6
 PSSA Testing Data Comparison
Spring 2004 through Spring 2008
These percentages are reflective of the combined number of students performing in the Advanced and Profi-
cient levels as designated by the Commonwealth. Target proficiency thresholds for 2004-2007 PSSA tests for
math are 45% and reading 54%. Target proficiency thresholds for 2008-2010 PSSA tests for math are 56%
and 63% for reading.

MATHEMATICS
READING

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
W-74 W-96 W-100 W-88 W-92.4 W-68 W-85 W-85 W-81 W-87.3
Grade 3
N-56 N-89 N-97 N-85 N-90.2 N-54 N-72 N-76 N-77 N-80.5
- W-94 W-95 W-91.7 W-89 W-93 W-83.3
Grade 4 - - -
N-88 N-75 N-87.1 N-76 N-74 N-76.2
Grade 5 65 80 67 74 80.6 60 79 71 65 68.5
-
Grade 6 - 81 67 70.2 - - 78 72 74.8
-
Grade 7 - 75 78 81.0 - - 76 82 79.9

Grade 8 70 80 74 77 84.2 76 79 76 84 89.8

Grade 11 65 52 62 57 68.8 76 66 76 72 76.9

07 – 08 was the first year that AYP calculations were determined based on the assessment results of students in all grades 3 through
8, and grade 11. There was no grade 3 PSSA given prior to 2004. There was no grades 4, 6, and 7 PSSA given prior to 2006.

WRITING SCIENCE

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Grade 3 - - - - - - - - - -
- Field W-92.6
Grade 4 - - - - - - -
Test N-100
-
Grade 5 - 58 63 66.5 - - - - -
-
Grade 6 - - - - - - - - -
-
Grade 7 - - - - - - - - -
- Field
Grade 8 - 67 84 75.3 - - - 71.2
Test
- Field
Grade 11 - 94 92 96.3 - - - 53.4
Test
Writing was introduced to grades 5, 8, and 11 in 2006. Science was introduced in 2007 as a field test for grades 4, 8, and 11. Nei-
ther count for AYP at this time.

Students in Grades 3-8, and 11 all took the reading and math PSSA tests in the Spring of 2008.

Students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 all took the writing PSSA test in the Spring of 2008.

Students in Grades 4, 8, and 11 all took the Science PSSA test in the Spring of 2008.

7
Northwestern Lehigh School District 2007 Mathematics and Reading Performance
as Compared to Other Students in PA

3rd Grade Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

21.8
26.4
Advanced 33.9
39.1

50.7
51.7
Proficient 44.2 State - Reading
46.4 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
12.7 State - Math
14 NWLSD - Math
Basic 15.6
13.4

14.8
Below Basic 7.9
6.3
1.1

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Percentage

4th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

31.7
Advanced 44.4
46.6
60.8

38.1
Proficient 40.5
31.3 State - Reading
25.5 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
15.2 State - Math
11.8 NWLSD - Math
Basic 9.6
9.2

14.9
3.3
Below Basic 12.7
4.6

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Percentage

8
 Northwestern Lehigh School District 2007 Mathematics and Reading Performance
as Compared to Other Students in PA

5th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

20.6
Advanced 26.2
41.1
42.4

39.2
Proficient 38.2
29.6 State - Reading
31.4 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
19.9 State - Math
17.8 NWLSD - Math
Basic 17.1
17.3

20.3
17.8
Below Basic 12.2
8.9

0 10 20 30 40 50
Percentage

6th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

30.6
Advanced 34.8
39.3
36

32.8
Proficient 38.4
30.2 State - Reading
31.7 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
19.8 State - Math
20.1 NWLSD - Math
Basic 16.1
21.3

16.9
6.7
Below Basic 14.4
11

0 10 20 30 40 50
Percentage

9
 Northwestern Lehigh School District 2007 Mathematics and Reading Performance
as Compared to Other Students in PA

7th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

36.1
Advanced 46
40.6
44.4
30.4
Proficient 34.8
26.3 Stat e - Reading
34.8 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
17.6 Stat e - M ath
Basic 13.9 NWLSD - M at h
15.2
13.9
16
Below Basic 5.3
17.8
7

0 10 20 Percentage 30 40 50

8th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

45.2
Advanced 55.3
39.9
44.1
29.5 State - Reading
Proficient 28.7
27.8
32.4 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
13 State - Math
Basic 9.6 NWLSD - Math
15.4
14.9

12.3
Below Basic 6.4
16.9
8.5

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Percentage

11th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

28.6
Advanced 30.8
24
20.3

36.5 State - Reading

Proficient 40.7
29.7 NWLSD - Reading
36.3
PSSA State - Math
15.5
13.7 NWLSD - Math
Basic 19.8
26.4

19.3
14.8
Below Basic 26.5
17

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Percentage

10
 Northwestern Lehigh School District 2008 Mathematics and Reading Performance
as Compared to Other Students in PA

3rd Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

19.5
Advanced 15.4
42
44.2

56.8
Proficient 68.6
38 State - Reading
46.8 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
11.1 State - Math
7.7 NWLSD - Math
Basic 13.7
7.7

12.6
8.3
Below Basic 6.3
1.3

0 20 40 60 80
Percentage

4th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

34
Advanced 46.7
49.5
60.3

35.9
Proficient 32.6
29.6 State - Reading
28.8 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
16.4 State - Math
11.4 NWLSD - Math
Basic 8.6
6.5

13.7
9.2
Below Basic 12.4
4.3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Percentage

11
Northwestern Lehigh School District 2008 Mathematics and Reading Performance
as Compared to Other Students in PA

5th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

23.2
Advanced 28.1
45.2
45

38
Proficient 41.3
27.7 State - Reading
36.3 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
19.9 State - Math
19.4 NWLSD - Math
Basic 16.6
13.8

18.9
11.3
Below Basic 10.6
5

0 10 20 30 40 50
Percentage

6th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

31.7
Advanced 33.3
46.4
48.7

34.9
Proficient 41.5
25.7 State - Reading
21.5 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
18 State - Math
13.3 NWLSD - Math
Basic 13.7
16.4

15.4
11.8
Below Basic 14.2
13.3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Percentage

12
Northwestern Lehigh School District 2008 Mathematics and Reading Performance
as Compared to Other Students in PA

7th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

24.4
Advanced 44.2
43.3
55.8
10
Proficient 35.5
26.9 St ate - Reading
25 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
12.2 St ate - M at h
Basic 15.7 NWLSD - M at h
14.7
11.6
13.9
Below Basic 4.7
15.1
7.6

0 10 20 30
Percentage 40 50 60

8th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

53.4
Advanced 62.2
42.1
50.3

24.4
Proficient 27.5 State - Reading
27.9
34.2 NWLSD - Reading
PSSA
State - Math
10
Basic 7.3 NWLSD - Math
14
10.9

12.2
Below Basic 3.1
16.1
4.7

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Percentage

11th Grade PSSA Math and Reading (NWLSD vs State)

31.5
Advanced 41.9
25.6
30.7
33 State - Reading
Proficient 35.1
30.1 NWLSD - Reading
38
PSSA State - Math
16.4
Basic 13.6 NWLSD - Math
17.7
18.2
19.1
Below Basic 9.4
26.7
13

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Percentage

13
 SAT/PSAT/NMSQT/AP

College entrance exams give an indication of the degree to which students are preparing for college. Not
all students participate in college entrance exams, so scores should always be viewed in combination with
participation rates.

SAT—Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) recorded combined scores of verbal and mathematics. District ver-
sus State scores are shown below.

PSAT/NMSQT—Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying

Test NMSQT) is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also
gives you a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
Average District versus State scores are listed below.

AP—Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores are based off of a numerical value of 1 through 5; five being
the highest score possible. Students who earn AP Exam grades of 3 or above are generally considered to
be qualified to receive college credit and/or placement into advanced courses due to the fact that their AP
Exam grades are equivalent to a college course grade of “middle C” or above. However, the awarding of
credit and placement is determined by each college or university and students should check with the insti-
tution to verify its AP credit and placement policies.

College Entrance Exams 2008 Data NWLHS State

SAT Reasoning Test – Average Score (Combined Verbal and Math Scores) 1022 1017

SAT Reasoning Test Participation Rate (%) 78.2 74.0

PSAT/NMSQT Average Score 148 141

PSAT/NMSQT Participation Rate (%) 52.1 54.1

AP – Scores 3 or Above (%) 76.0 67.7

AP – Participation Rate (%) 24.5 14.4

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 College Entrance Exam Information

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test for college admissions. It is owned, published, and de-
veloped by the College Board. The Writing portion of the SAT was introduced in 2006. The National score
was not recorded until 2008. Pennsylvania ranks 45th out of all States on the SAT.

The Average (Mean) Verbal, Mathematics, and Writing Scores

Average scores are based upon the most recent SAT scores of all students of a particular graduating class.

2008 College-Bound Seniors’ Average Scores for the State

• Verbal: 502
• Mathematics: 515
• Writing: 494

SAT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

NWL Verbal 509 515 501 502 517

National Verbal 508 508 503 502 502

NWL Math 518 514 506 525 505

National Math 518 518 518 515 515

NWL Writing - - 477 479 489

National Writing - - Pilot Test Pilot Test 494

Student Graduation Plans

Student plans upon graduation. The five year report represents the graduation year indicated.
Graduation Plans 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

4 year college 53.20% 46.70% 46.70% 50.30% 48.40%

2 year college 17.10% 29.60% 29.60% 27.60% 21.30%

Military 2.90% 1.50% 1.80% 3.50% 3.20%

Work Force 19.50% 19.50% 20.70% 16.60% 25.50%

Undecided 7.30% 2.70% 1.20% 2.00% 1.60%

15
 2007-2008 Distribution Data

High School Grade Distribution

35
31
29
30 27

25 A

20 B
Percentages C
15
D
9
10 F
4
5

0
A B C D F
Grades

Middle School Grade Distribution

70
59
60

50 A

40 B
Percentages 29 C
30
D
20 F
10
10
1 0.04
0
A B C D F
Grades

Elementary Grade Distribution (Weisenberg and Northw estern)

40 37 36
35
30
O
23
25
S+
Percentages 20
S
15 S-
10 N
4
5
0.04
0
O S+ S S- N
Grades

16
 Community Information

The following information was derived from the School Data Direct website at
http://www.schooldatadirect.org.

Adult Education Levels (%) NWLSD State

Adults with at Least a High School Diploma 89.5 87.4
Adults with at Least a Bachelor’s Degree 25.6 26.4

Household Characteristics
Number of Households 5,151 4,909,164
Single-Parent Households with Children (%) 7.6 10.0

Household Income Distribution (%)

Less than $15,000 4.2 12.3
$15,000-$29,999 10.8 16.7
$30,000-$49,999 16.5 21.1
$50,000-$74,999 20.9 19.5
$75,000-$99,999 16.3 12.1
$100,000-$149,999 19.9 11.3
$150,000 or More 11.6 7.0

Population
Population 14,292 12,465,190
Population Density 134 275
Median Age 38 39

Population distribution by Age (%)

4 Years or Younger 6.5 5.8
5-19 Years 20.1 17.7
20-44 Years 33.5 33.6
45-64 Years 30.3 27.4
65 Years or Older 9.6 15.5

17
 District Fiscal Information

2007/2008 Budgeted Instruction

Expenditures Regular Education $12,472,679
Special Education $ 550,967
Other Education $ 1,600,264

Support Services
Pupil Personnel $ 194,883
Library $ 551,423
Administration $ 1,479,637
Pupil Health $ 246,146
Business $ 523,670
Maintenance of Facilities $ 3,034,597
Transportation $ 2,076,325
Data Services/Technology $ 328,769

Non-Instructional Services
Student Athletics/Activities $ 658,886
Community Services $ 5,000

Financing
Debt Service $ 3,046,960
Other Financing Sources $ 4,000

TOTAL EXPENSES $31,692,038

2007/2008 Budgeted
Revenues Local
Real Estate Taxes $18,425,718
Other Taxes $ 197,251
Other Revenue $ 4,351,402

State $ 9,865,763

Federal $ 204,085

TOTAL REVENUE $33,044,219

18
 Northwestern Lehigh School District

Board of Directors Administration

Mr. Greg Snyder Mrs. Susanne H. Meixsell

President Superintendent

Ms. Sally L. Schoffstall, Esq. Mr. Brian T. Uplinger

Vice-President Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Willard Dellicker Ms. Catherine A. Linde

Treasurer Business Administrator

Mr. Michael Ondra Mrs. Leslie Frisbie

Secretary Assistant Business Administrator

Ms. Camille Bartlett Mrs. Luann E. Matika

Member Director of Human Resources

Mr. Paul Fisher, Jr. Dr. Mark Scott

Member Director of Student Services

Mr. Donald Link Mrs. LeAnn Stitzel

Member Director of Curriculum and Technology

Mr. Darryl Schaefer Mr. Jason T. Zimmerman

Member Director of Athletics and Student Activities

Mr. Kenneth Zellner Mr. John R. Kennedy, Jr.

Member Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

Mr. John E. Freund, III, Esq. Mr. Carl Lerch

Solicitor Asst. Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

Mr. Lawrence C. Morris

Supervisor of Transportation

Mrs. Lori A. Seier

Supervisor of Food Services

19
Northwestern Elementary School
Jill Berlet, Principal
6493 Route 309
New Tripoli, PA 18066
(610) 298-8661, Ext. 4204
Northwestern Lehigh Middle School
Laurie Hoppes, Principal
Ara Hoderewski, Asst. Principal
6636 Northwest Road
New Tripoli, PA 18066
(610) 298-8661, Ext. 3921
20
Weisenberg Elementary School
Reneé Cartier, Principal
2665 Golden Key Road
Kutztown, PA 19530
(610) 298-8661, Ext. 5301
Northwestern Lehigh High School
Dennis Nemes, Principal
Kenneth Fisher, Asst. Principal
Amy Nickischer, Asst. Principal
6493 Route 309
New Tripoli, PA 18066
(610) 298-8661, Ext. 2244