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Federal Guidelines on School Prayer


Recently, additional guidelines were sent to public schools, providing further clarification on the issue of school prayer. Students may read their bibles or other scriptures, say grace before meals, and pray or study religious materials with fellow students during recess, the lunch hour, or other non-instructional time to the same extent that they may engage in non-religious activities. At the same time, school officials may not “compel students to participate in prayer or other religious activities” nor may teachers, school administrators and other school employees, when acting in their official capacities as representatives of the state, encourage or discourage prayer or participate in such activities with students. Furthermore, school officials must remain neutral in their treatment of religion, showing neither favoritism toward nor hostility against religious expression such as prayer. In general, public schools are not permitted to teach or organize prayer, but may teach about various religions. The above activities may not interfere with instructional time. If any student or parent would have a question on this matter, they should check with their building principal or superintendent.

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September 23, 2005

Dear Parents:

In accordance with the recommendation of the administrative staff and guidance personnel, the Board of School Directors will provide a district-wide testing program designed to assess the academic achievement, aptitude, or vocation interest of each child in the district.

The results of some of these tests provide a continuing record of each child's academic progress in comparison with national norms. They are also an invaluable aide to your child's teachers and counselor in diagnosing individual abilities, aptitudes, interests, strengths, and weaknesses in order to provide more effective individualized instruction. During the coming year, the following tests will be administered to your child as part of this program.

Name of Test

Time Period

 Purpose

Preliminary Scholastic AptitudeTest/National Merit ScholarshipQualifying Test, Grades 10 and11 (optional)

October 12, 2005
Measurement of verbal and numerical achievement.
PSSA Re-Test
October, 2005
To provide an opportunity forGrade 12 re-testing for those students who, in the 11 th grade, scored below proficient level in the areas of reading, math, writing.

Pennsylvania 4-Sight Reading & Mathematics Assessments

Fall, 2005

Winter & Spring, 2006

Measurement of student progress toward meeting PA Academic Grades 3-8 Standards.

Armed Services VocationalAptitude Battery TestsGrade 11 November, 2005 Measurement of vocational aptitudes and math verbal achievement.
PSSA Writing Assessment Grades 5 , 8, 11 February, 2006

The writing assessment provides information to individual students, parents,and school district, about the current status of student writing and a process that monitors writing skill development.

PA Department of Education

PSSA Math/Reading Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11

 March, 2006 School Profile Survey measures demographic features of the school district. PA System of School Assessment (PSSA) assesses reading, math, and writing.
Cognitive Abilities Test Spring, 2006 To provide measurement of Grade 3 the general mental ability.
Terra Nova Spring, 2006 Measures math & reading Grade 2 achievement consistent with State standards. Pretest to prepare for PSSA.
Health Testing K, 6, and 11  
Medical Exam    
Dental Exam K, 3 and 7    
Vision All grades – every year  
Hearing K, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11 (Hearing exam retest on all previous failures)
Scoliosis 6 and 7  

Speech Screening

 K, 2 and 5  
Height/Weight All grades – every year  
Sports Exams 7-12 (3 times per year)  
Body Mass Index ( BMI )

Grades K-4

 

In addition to the above tests, the school psychologist, counselor, speech, hearing, vision clinicians, and/or support teacher may participate in the instructional support process with your child. This process may include classroom observations and individual meetings with your child to assist in collecting information to adapt your child's basic education program if necessary. Should a decision be made to administer any additional standardized (published) test to your child, further permission will be obtained from you.

All test scores will be recorded and maintained in the school record, while your child is enrolled in our schools. No individual or agency outside of the school system will be permitted to inspect your child's records without your written permission. Should you wish to examine your child's record file at any time, you may arrange to do so by contacting the principal's office for an appointment.

 

Sincerely,

Joseph F. Marcoline, Ed.D.

Superintendent

 

/rc

TestingLtrParents_905

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Act 72 Property Tax Relief

Act 72 Property Tax Relief information is available on the PDE website. The Department plans to add information during upcoming months. Click the following link for more information.

http://www.pde.state.pa.us/proptax/site/default.asp?pde_internetNav=|