No matter how prepared some schools were to handle the pandemic, however, test scores indicate that students were still affected academically.
That was the case at two local districts that, thanks to having technological capabilities, did not miss a day of instruction when schools shut down in March 2020.
Students in the Fort Cherry and Elizabeth Forward school districts never missed school due to COVID-19 because they had devices that allowed them to take classes online before the pandemic started. While students in those districts tested above the state average in many subjects, their scores were still lower than in previous years.
"Fort Cherry School District experienced a number of the same pandemic-related challenges as our neighbors," said Tom Samosky, who was named Fort Cherry' superintendent earlier this school year. "With those challenges came some growth opportunities for our schools as well."
At Fort Cherry Junior/Senior High School, which encompasses grades 7-12, test scores improved in one area from the previous times the exams were taken.
In 2021, 70.9 percent of students tested proficient or advanced in science, while just 60.7 percent of students did the same in 2019. Statewide, 63.7 percent of students were proficient or advanced in 2021.
But in other subject areas, Fort Cherry Junior/Senior High School's test scores fell from the last exams.
In 2021, 61.1 percent of students were proficient or advanced in English language arts, compared to 71 percent in 2019. Across the state, 55 percent of students were proficient or advanced in English language arts in 2021
And on math exams, 26.3 percent of students were proficient or advanced in 2021 compared to 36 percent in 2019. The statewide average of proficient or advanced math test takers in 2021 was 37.3 percent.
While scores dropped in all areas at Fort Cherry Elementary School, a K-6 building, students tested above average on all subjects.
More than 63 percent of students were proficient or advanced in English language arts in 2021, compared to the statewide average of 55 percent. But 78.6 percent of students at the school were proficient or advanced in 2019.
On math exams, 40.8 percent of students were proficient or advanced in 2021. The statewide average was 37.3 percent. Meanwhile, 59.2 percent of students at the school were proficient or advanced in 2019.
And on science exams, 88.2 percent of students were proficient or advanced in 2021 compared with 63.7 percent statewide. In 2019, 92.3 percent of students at the school were proficient or advanced.
Mr. Samosky said that because of the district's small enrollment and effective implementation of virus mitigation strategies, Fort Cherry did not have to close schools as often as other districts even though they had the technological capabilities to transition to remote learning if it were necessary.
He said the district was optimistic about the test scores at several grade levels and will work to address learning loss issues where they have occurred.
"Fort Cherry School District will continue to use individual student data to provide timely interventions to address student learning loss caused by the pandemic," Mr. Samosky said. "And each school plans to offer summer programming that mirrors the after-school acceleration program at the elementary center."
The scores reflect results from several tests, including the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment and Keystone Exams.
At Elizabeth Forward Senior High School, all scores that could be assessed remained above the state average, but they still fell from the last time state exams were taken.
In 2021, 59.5 percent of Elizabeth Forward High School students tested proficient or advanced on the math portion of the exam, compared to 37.3 percent statewide. In 2019, 74.5 percent of students at the school had tested proficient or advanced.
On the science exams, 64.9 percent of Elizabeth Forward's high school students tested proficient or advanced compared with 63.7 percent across the state in 2021. More than 80 percent of students at the school were proficient or advanced on the science exam in 2019.
Similarly, scores fell in all subjects at Elizabeth Forward Middle School compared with the previous time tests were taken.
In 2021, 63.4 percent of Elizabeth Forward middle schoolers were proficient or advanced in English language arts, which was above the state average of 55 percent. However, 68.6 percent of students at the school scored proficient or advanced in 2019, above the 62.1 percent statewide average.
In math, 28.7 percent of Elizabeth Forward students were proficient or advanced compared to 37.3 percent across the state in 2021, as well as 42.3 percent at the same school in 2019.
And 48.8 percent of students at the school were proficient or advanced in science in 2021, compared with 63.7 percent statewide and 66.1 percent at the same school in 2019.
Elizabeth Forward officials could not be reached for comment.
Although test scores dropped all over the commonwealth, the state Department of Education urged caution when interpreting the 2021 standardized test results.
Because of the sharply reduced student participation rates and other factors, the department said making comparisons between schools and across school years would be improper and that test scores would not be used for evaluations.
"Given these circumstances, the results should not be viewed as a complete, representative sample of all students in the commonwealth, nor should a single assessment during an atypical school year be considered a true metric of student performance," said Sherri Smith, the state's deputy education director. "We will continue to work closely with schools to assist in the planning and implementation of evidence-based programs."
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