| Big Beaver Falls Area School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 1503 Eight Avenue Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Beaver, 15010 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Superintendent | Dr. Donna Nugent |
| Teaching staff | 143 |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Enrolment | 1904 |
| Mascot | Tigers |
| Website | http://www.tigerweb.k12.pa.us/ |
The Big Beaver Falls Area School District covers the City of Beaver Falls, the Boroughs of Big Beaver, Eastvale, Homewood, Koppel and New Galilee and White Township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The district enrolls approximately 2000 students in two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.
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Big Beaver Falls Area School District was ranked 70th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs on: math, reading, writing and one year of science.[1] In 2008, the district ranked 75th out of 105 regional school districts. Big Beaver Falls Area School District students also ranked 348th out of 498 Pennsylvania School Districts for academic achievement, in 2008, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. In 2007, the district ranked 364 out of 500 school districts.[2]
Graduation Rate:
2009 - 91%[3]
2008 - 87%
2007 - 87% [4]
In 2009, Big Beaver Falls Area High School's 11th grade ranked 89th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools based on three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math writing and one year of science.[5]
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 60% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 66%, State - 65%
2007 - 52%, State - 65%[6]
11th Grade Math:
2009 - 52% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.[7]
2008 - 51%, State - 56%
2007 - 55%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
2009 - 45% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 27%, State - 39%
In 2009, US News and World report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests in 2008. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Seventy Pennsylvania high schools achieved ranking bronze, silver or gold rating. Fifty three Pennsylvania high schools achieved bronze.[8] Beaver Falls Area High School achieved Bronze ranking. Two high schools in Beaver County achieved inclusion in the ranking.
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 33% of Big Beaver Falls Area School District 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.
The high school offers a 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, including the graduation ceremony. 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.[11] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[12]
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $19,577 for the program.[13]
In 2009, the 8th grade was ranked 113th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of results in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[14] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County)
In 2009, 291 western Pennsylvania fifth grades were ranked based on three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math and writing.[15]
In 2009, 325 western Pennsylvania third grades were ranked based on three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math and writing.[16]
In 2007, the district employed 144 teachers with the average teacher salary in the district at $47,830 for 180 days worked.[17] As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.[18] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits.[19]
The district administrative costs in 2008 were $830.02 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[20] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165.[21] Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless the of income level.
In the summer of 2011, the district applied for and was awarded over $3 million in School Improvement grants. The school district will receive $1 million a year for 3 years. 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. Allentown School District schools received funding for transformation of Beaver Falls High School. Transformation calls for a change in faculty and administration evaluations, mandated training in proven teaching techniques and rigorous curriculum change that focuses on student achievement. [22] The district hired Mary Beth Leeman as chief turnaround officer at the high school. Two other administrators will be hired using the grant funding.[23]
The district received $1,875,019 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[24] The funding is for 2009-2011.
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over one million dollars in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[25] 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.[26] 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 RTTT application judging will occur in June 2010.[27]
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[28]
The athletic director for the men's and women's programs is James Carbone. The main mascot for the district athletic teams is the Tiger and their colors are orange and black. Big Beaver Falls Area is a PIAA District 7 school, and most sports compete at the class AA division level (with the exception of golf, which competes at the class AAAA level).[29]
The Tigers compete in the following sports: