September 10, 2012

Dear Parents of NHS Seniors,

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Seniors who did not score Proficient on the Math and/or Reading PSSA during the spring of their Junior year will be informed of the plans in place to make certain each graduates in June with the Class of 2013.

Approximately, 250 students will receive remediation in math and/or reading to satisfy the PSSA graduation requirement. 

The remediation plan is as follows:

1. Students will attend Math and/or English Grad Lab instead of their scheduled study halls during 2 – 3 periods per 6-day cycle.
2. Students will receive instruction in small groups from NHS Math and English teachers on the section(s) of the PSSA on which they did not demonstrate proficiency. For example, the Math PSSA has five sections (Numbers/Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Probability/Statistics).  Students will only be required to work on the section or sections on which they scored low. 
3. Students will take computer-based assessments to demonstrate proficiency.  The final decision on satisfactory completion of the remediation for graduation will be made by me.
4. Once a student has completed the section(s) in their area of weakness, they will be returned to their study hall.  Students could be in the Math/English Grad Lab for as few as 3 - 4 visits depending on their needs.  It is estimated that all students will be able to complete the remediation requirement during a two marking period length of time.
5. Students who require remediation in both Math and Reading will complete one content area then move to the second.
6. Students who do not have a study hall will be given other options including attending Math/English Grad Lab in lieu of an elective or lunch once a 6-day cycle.        
7. Math/English Grad Lab will begin on Monday September 24.

In lieu of the above plan, seniors may retake the PSSA (in its entirety) in October.  If the student scores proficient on the retest when the results are available in January, then the student has met his/her graduation requirement.   If he/she is again not proficient, he/she will begin the aforementioned remediation in Math and/or English Grad Lab during the second semester.  An NHS Administrator, Guidance Counselor or Math/English Grad Lab Teacher will meet with each student individually to plan the course that best meets the student’s individual circumstance.

Individual student PSSA result reports will be mailed home to parents during the week of September 10.  This report will show the student’s overall proficiency level and specific areas where remediation is required. 

I understand this is not the news your son/daughter wanted to hear in the first week of his/her senior year.  We intentionally held such information until we had students in school so we could speak with them face-to-face and address individual concerns.  

You have my word that we will do everything within our power to assure all members of the Class of 2013 are on that field on the night of graduation.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions/concerns.  

With Neshaminy Pride

Rob McGee, Ph.D.

NHS Principal

215-809-6102