Big Spring School District
Encyclopedia
The Big Spring School District is a midsized, rural
, public school district
which serves the residents of the Borough of Newville
and Cooke Township, Lower Frankford Township, Lower Mifflin Township, North Newton Township, Penn Township
, South Newton Township, Upper Frankford Township, Upper Mifflin Township and West Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
. Big Spring School District encompasses approximately 198 square miles. According to 2008 local census
data it serves a resident population of 18,665. In 2009, the resident's per capita income
was $18,057, while the median family income was $47,347. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, the Big Spring School District provided basic educational services to 3,082 pupils through the employment of 257 teachers, 175 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 18 administrators.
The district completed construction of a new high school
(grades 9-12) in 2003, a new middle school
(grades 6-8) in 2005, and operates four elementary school
s (grades K-5). One of these elementary schools has recently been renovated, being the middle school, now being an elementary school. Total enrollment as of 2005-06 was 3,200 students. Enrollment declined to 3064 in 2009. Enrollment ia projected to further decline to 2561 by 2019. In June 2011, the district closed Plainfield Elementary School.
In 2011, the district agreed to participate in a pilot program to develop a new way to evaluate teachers that, in part, takes into account student achievement. Several other Cumberland County school districts are also participating including: Cumberland Valley School District
, Carlisle Area School District
, East Pennsboro Area Elementary School
, Cumberland Perry AVTS, and Camp HIll School District. The pilot program had 104 K-12 entities, including: nine career and technical centers, nine charter schools and nine intermediate units. Beginning in January 2012, Cumberland County schools will use the new evaluation method and provide feedback to the Department of Education. This new evaluation will not be used to determine an educator’s official 2011-12 assessment.
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
and the No Child Left Behind Act
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "C-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
The district is served by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit
15 which offers a variety of services including: a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.
results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Big Spring School District ranked 490th. In 2009 the district was 488th. The paper describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Big Spring High School's graduation rate was 86% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 19% of Big Spring 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. 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. 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.
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must 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.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
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 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. 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. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $1,340 for the Dual Enrollment program.
According to state regulations, students that reside in the district, who attend a private nonpublic school, charter school or are homeschooled are eligible to participate in the district's dual enrollment program.
PSSA Results
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
Mount Rock Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 68% of students were reading on grade level, while 77% were on grade level in mathematics.
Newville Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 65% of students were reading on grade level, while 75% were on grade level in mathematics.
Oak Flat Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 77% of students were reading on grade level, while 87% were on grade level in mathematics.
Plainfield Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 73% of students were reading on grade level, while 77% were on grade level in mathematics.
services in 2009.
The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Big Spring School District received a $1,732,918 supplemental state funding, for special education services, in 2010-11. For the 2011-12 school year, the district received the same level of special education funding from the state.
The Big Spring School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives. Pennsylvania's education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
Big Spring School District administrative costs per pupil was $555.79, in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts was $398 per pupil, in 2008. In 2005 the school board contracted with Richard Wayne Fry as superintendent. In 2009 his salary was $112,006. He also received an extensive benefits package that included: health insurance, life insurance, taxpayer funded attendance at conventions and more. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that, in 2008, the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165.
Reserve Funds - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,522,894.00.
In 2008, Big Spring School District reported spending $11,783 per pupil. This ranked 298th in the Commonwealth.
In 2009, the district reported having over $40 million in outstanding debt.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Certification deficiency findings were reported to the Pennsylvania Bureau of School Leadership Teacher Certification, the school board and the school district administration.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.65%, a local real property tax, a real estate transfer tax -0.5%, and a per capita 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 of the individual's level of wealth.
.
For the 2010-11 school year, the state basic education funding to Big Spring School District was increased 5.16% for a total of $9,728,261. The highest increase, in Cumberland County
school districts, was awarded to Camp Hill School District
at 13.99%. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase over 10%. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.51% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $9,250,656. Seven county school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Shippensburg Area School District
received an 8.43% increase. 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. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Big Spring School District in 2008-09 was $8,767,245.93. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In 2008, the Big Spring School District reported that 588 students received free or reduced price lunches due to low family income.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding is for 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
federal grant which would have brought the district nearly one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. 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. Big Spring was the only Cumberland County
school district that applied to participate. 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.
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, school district and across a region. On the local level, Pennsylvania 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, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Big Spring School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Big Spring School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index for pension costs. Each year the Big Spring 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
.
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.
The Big Spring School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the 2010-2011 budget including one for pension obligations. In the Spring of 2010, 135 of 500 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. Big Spring School Board did not apply for exceptions in 2008 or 2009.
of Delaware County
who received $632 per approved homestead. 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 acres (40,468.6 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Cumberland County, 75.93% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.
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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
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%).
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policies.
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.
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
, public school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
which serves the residents of the Borough of Newville
Newville, Pennsylvania
Newville is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The population was 1,367 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area.Newville is served by the Big Spring School District....
and Cooke Township, Lower Frankford Township, Lower Mifflin Township, North Newton Township, Penn Township
Penn Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Penn Township is a township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,807 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 29.2 square miles , of which, 29.2 square miles of it is land and...
, South Newton Township, Upper Frankford Township, Upper Mifflin Township and West Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 235,406.-History:...
. Big Spring School District encompasses approximately 198 square miles. According to 2008 local census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
data it serves a resident population of 18,665. In 2009, the resident's per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $18,057, while the median family income was $47,347. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, the Big Spring School District provided basic educational services to 3,082 pupils through the employment of 257 teachers, 175 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 18 administrators.
The district completed construction of a new high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(grades 9-12) in 2003, a new middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(grades 6-8) in 2005, and operates four elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s (grades K-5). One of these elementary schools has recently been renovated, being the middle school, now being an elementary school. Total enrollment as of 2005-06 was 3,200 students. Enrollment declined to 3064 in 2009. Enrollment ia projected to further decline to 2561 by 2019. In June 2011, the district closed Plainfield Elementary School.
In 2011, the district agreed to participate in a pilot program to develop a new way to evaluate teachers that, in part, takes into account student achievement. Several other Cumberland County school districts are also participating including: Cumberland Valley School District
Cumberland Valley School District
The Cumberland Valley School District is a large, suburban public school district located in Central Pennsylvania. It covers Hampden Township, Monroe Township, Middlesex Township and Silver Spring Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It serves about 7,700 students and features three...
, Carlisle Area School District
Carlisle Area School District
The Carlisle Area School District is a midsized, suburban, public school district that serves the boroughs of Carlisle and Mount Holly Springs and Dickinson Township and North Middleton Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Carlisle Area School District encompasses approximately 75 square...
, East Pennsboro Area Elementary School
East Pennsboro Area School District
The East Pennsboro Area School District is a midsized, suburban, public school district located in South Central Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S. The district serves East Pennsboro Township and the Villages of Enola, Summerdale, West Fairview and parts of the Borough of Camp...
, Cumberland Perry AVTS, and Camp HIll School District. The pilot program had 104 K-12 entities, including: nine career and technical centers, nine charter schools and nine intermediate units. Beginning in January 2012, Cumberland County schools will use the new evaluation method and provide feedback to the Department of Education. This new evaluation will not be used to determine an educator’s official 2011-12 assessment.
Governance
The district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act , is a United States federal statute enacted April 11, 1965. It was passed as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by Congress...
and the No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "C-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
The district is served by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit
Capital Area Intermediate Unit
The Capital Area Intermediate Unit is an Intermediate Unit based in Summerdale, a suburb of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It serves the central Pennsylvania counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, northern York, and Perry. It offers services to the regions 24 school districts and 2 area vocational technical...
15 which offers a variety of services including: a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.
Academic achievement
The Big Spring School District was ranked 382nd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic achievement on five years of PSSAPennsylvania System of School Assessment
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a standardized test administered to public schools in the state of Pennsylvania. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 are assessed in reading skills and mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in writing skills...
results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.
- 2010 - 382nd
- 2009 - 391st
- 2008 - 380th
- 2007 - 388th of 501 school districts.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Big Spring School District ranked 490th. In 2009 the district was 488th. The paper describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."
Graduation Rate
In 2011, Big Spring High School's graduation rate was 87%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Big Spring High School's graduation rate was 86% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
- 2010 - 87%
- 2009 - 83%
- 2008 - 82%
- 2007 - 82%
High school
In 2011, the high school declined to School Improvement I status. In 2010, the high school was in Warning status for AYP due to the low achievement of the students.PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2011 - 59% on grade level, (20.4% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 56%, State - 66%
- 2009 - 62%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 58%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 57%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 58% on grade level (25.5% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 47.9%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 53%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 43%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 43%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 27% on grade level (23% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 26%, State - 39%
- 2009 - 21%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 26%, State - 39%
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 19% of Big Spring 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
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
or community colleges. 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. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, 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.
Graduation requirements
The Big Spring Board of Education has determined that a student must earn 28 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Mathematics (1 Algebra based) 3 credits, Math 12 - 1 credit, Health & Phys. Education (.5 each) 2 credits, Freshman Seminar .5 credit, Computer Applications.5 credit, Career Project Seminar .5 credit, Personal Finance .5 credit and Electives 10 credits.By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must 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.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
Dual enrollment
The Big Spring High School offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
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 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. 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. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $1,340 for the Dual Enrollment program.
According to state regulations, students that reside in the district, who attend a private nonpublic school, charter school or are homeschooled are eligible to participate in the district's dual enrollment program.
Middle school
In 2011 and 2010, the middle school achieved AYP status. The attendance rate was 96% in 2010 and declined to 95% in 2010.PSSA Results
8th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 82% on grade level (9% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2010 - 86%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 77%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 76%, State - 78%
8th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 83% on grade level (9% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
- 2010 - 86.9%, State - 75.2%
- 2009 - 76%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 76%, State - 70%
8th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 66% on grade level (16% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 62.7%, State - 57.2%
- 2009 - 52%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 43%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 70% on grade level (11% below basic). State – 76%
- 2010 - 62%, State - 73%
- 2009 - 68%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 63%, State - 70%
7th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 78% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 78.6%
- 2010 - 76%, State - 77%
- 2009 - 78%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 77%, State - 70%
6th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 68% on grade level (12% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 70%, State - 68%
- 2009 - 70%, State - 67%
- 2008 - 65%, State - 67%
6th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 76% on grade level (9% below basic). State - 78.8%
- 2010 - 78%, State - 78%
- 2009 - 76%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 75%, State - 72%
Elementary Schools
The district operates four elementary schools.Mount Rock Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 68% of students were reading on grade level, while 77% were on grade level in mathematics.
Newville Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 65% of students were reading on grade level, while 75% were on grade level in mathematics.
Oak Flat Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 77% of students were reading on grade level, while 87% were on grade level in mathematics.
Plainfield Elementary School - Made AYP in 2010 and 2011 In 2011, 73% of students were reading on grade level, while 77% were on grade level in mathematics.
Special Education
The district administration reported that 559 students or 18.2% were receiving special educationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
services in 2009.
The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Big Spring School District received a $1,732,918 supplemental state funding, for special education services, in 2010-11. For the 2011-12 school year, the district received the same level of special education funding from the state.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 93 or 3.16% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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 will also be considered for eligibility.Bullying policy
The school district administration reported there was 1 incident of bullying in the district in 2009.The Big Spring School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives. Pennsylvania's education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
Budget
In 2007, the district employed 223 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $44,744 for 190 days worked. Teachers' contract will expire on June 30, 2011.Big Spring School District administrative costs per pupil was $555.79, in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts was $398 per pupil, in 2008. In 2005 the school board contracted with Richard Wayne Fry as superintendent. In 2009 his salary was $112,006. He also received an extensive benefits package that included: health insurance, life insurance, taxpayer funded attendance at conventions and more. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that, in 2008, the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165.
Reserve Funds - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,522,894.00.
In 2008, Big Spring School District reported spending $11,783 per pupil. This ranked 298th in the Commonwealth.
In 2009, the district reported having over $40 million in outstanding debt.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Certification deficiency findings were reported to the Pennsylvania Bureau of School Leadership Teacher Certification, the school board and the school district administration.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.65%, a local real property tax, a real estate transfer tax -0.5%, and a per capita 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 of the individual's level of wealth.
State basic education funding
For the 2011-12 school year, the district will receive $8,778,945 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $171,093 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania State Education Budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. In 2010, the district reported that 723 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty levelPoverty in the United States
Poverty is defined as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday September 13th, 2011, the nation's poverty rate rose to 15.1% in 2010, up from 14.3% in 2009 and to its highest level...
.
For the 2010-11 school year, the state basic education funding to Big Spring School District was increased 5.16% for a total of $9,728,261. The highest increase, in Cumberland County
Cumberland County
Cumberland County may refer to:In Australia:* Cumberland County, New South Wales, the original county of the colony* the former name of Cumberland Land District, Tasmania, AustraliaIn England:...
school districts, was awarded to Camp Hill School District
Camp Hill School District
The Camp Hill School District, is a diminutive, suburban public school district serving the Borough of Camp Hill in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. At just two square miles, Camp Hill is the smallest school district in the county and it is one of the smallest in the Commonwealth of state...
at 13.99%. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase over 10%. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.51% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $9,250,656. Seven county school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Shippensburg Area School District
Shippensburg Area School District
The Shippensburg Area School District is a public school district in Franklin County, Pennsylvania and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Shippensburg and also serves Orrstown, Newburg, Hopewell Township, Shippensburg Township, and two interconnected Southampton...
received an 8.43% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District
Muhlenberg School District
The Muhlenberg Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. It encompasses the borough of Laureldale and the Muhlenberg Township. The district encompasses approximately 13 square miles. Per the 2000 federal census data it serves a resident...
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Big Spring School District in 2008-09 was $8,767,245.93. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In 2008, the Big Spring School District reported that 588 students received free or reduced price lunches due to low family income.
Accountability Block Grants
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, Big Spring School District applied for and received $464,388 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide all day kindergarten for the third year, to provide teacher training and to increase instructional time for struggling students through before and after school tutoring and more.Classrooms for the Future grant
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. Dallas School District applied for funding in 2006-07 and received $395,531. In 2007-08, it received $300,000. The district did not apply in 2008-09.Federal Stimulus Grant
The district received an extra $2,023,206 in ARRAArra
Arra is a census town in Puruliya district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Demographics: India census, Arra had a population of 19,911. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Arra has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the...
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding is for 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
Race to the Top
Big Spring School District officials applied for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant which would have brought the district nearly one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. 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. Big Spring was the only Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 235,406.-History:...
school district that applied to participate. 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.
Common Cents state initiative
The Big Spring School Board decided to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. 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. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.Real estate taxes
The school board levied a real estate tax of 12.0980 mills in 2011-12. 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 taxProperty tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
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, school district and across a region. On the local level, Pennsylvania 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, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
- 2010-11 - 16.0720 mills.
- 2009-10 - 15.4550 mills.
- 2008-09 - 14.7204 mills
- 2007-08 - 14.1943 mills.
Act 1 Adjusted index
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 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index 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, increase in health insurance 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 StatisticsBureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is a governmental statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and...
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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Big Spring School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
- 2006-07 - 5.2%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.5%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 5.8%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.4%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 3.8%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.2%, Base 1.7%
For the 2011-12 school year, the Big Spring School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index for pension costs. Each year the Big Spring 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
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
.
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.
The Big Spring School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the 2010-2011 budget including one for pension obligations. In the Spring of 2010, 135 of 500 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. Big Spring School Board did not apply for exceptions in 2008 or 2009.
Property tax relief
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Big Spring School District was $132 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 5826 property owners applied for the tax relief. The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania school districts, went to the residents of Chester Upland School DistrictChester Upland School District
The Chester Upland School District is a public school district serving the City of Chester, the Borough of Upland and Chester Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania...
of Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
who received $632 per approved homestead. 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 acres (40,468.6 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Cumberland County, 75.93% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.
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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
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%).
Wellness policy
Big Spring School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch ActNational School Lunch Act
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is a United States federal law signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1946. The act created the National School Lunch Program , a program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools...
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Extracurriculars
The district provides a wide variety of activities, clubs and sports. Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic AssociationPennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policies.
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.