#Slipping

"The award-winning Mt. Lebanon Magazine is the only official magazine of Mt. Lebanon municipality, with direct access to timely, relevant information that goes to every home and business in Mt. Lebanon." Their Facebook page shared this link from the Dormont Patch*:

New Ranking of Pennsylvania's Best School Districts Released

Want to comment on Mt. Lebanon's ranking? Go on mtl's Magazine's Facebook page.

*Not funded by Dormont tax dollars. 

About that budget...

Remember this post? Relentless, is it? 

According to a June 17, 2010 PG article, Changes could boost Mt. Lebanon in rankings, Dr. Tim was quoted as saying that we did not qualify for the U.S. News & World Report silver ratings.  By approving the high school's participation in the National School Lunch Program, its poverty rate percentages will be reported to Standard and Poor's for U.S. News & World Report's rankings. I am not sure there was ever a public vote for the national school lunch program since I cannot find it in the minutes. According to the CAFR, there is quite a jump in free or reduced lunches.  Interesting how we are now listed as a silver medal school on the U.S. News & World Report website. The demographic data is still from 2007-2008.

It came to fruition. U.S. News and World Report Ranks Mt. Lebanon High School #8 in PA When the School Board discusses the budget tonight, please keep this in mind. It is only a numbers game and showing poverty rate percentages and the high school's participation in the National School Lunch Program got us there.

We moved up! (Updated)

Pittsburgh Business Times reports this morning that we have moved from the third postition to number two in school rankings!!! 2012 School Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools  Of course, Number One Upper St. Clair has been voted top school district SEVEN years in a row.

Just when we moved up a notch, the board and administration are discussing closing an elementary school, increasing class sizes, furloughing teachers, and all the other things the "fear mongers" have been predicting.

Finally, an explanation to 21st century learning by Dr. Steinhauer:

 A major challenge for us will be to stay abreast of the rapidly changing technologies that impact education and infusing 21st- century skills into our curriculum. We will need to offer a more blended instructional environment with some online classes offered as well as building-based instruction.

Regarding PSSA scores, "Upper St. Clair School District once again had the highest-scoring students in Pennsylvania on state standardized tests. Upper St. Clair has led this ranking all seven years the Business Times has done statewide rankings."  Mt. Lebanon came in fifth in the state.

I am looking forward to reading the guide after it arrives in my mailbox. I will be going into more detail in the next couple of days.

Remember the school rankings?

Remember this blog post? Pittsburgh Business Times School Rankings

Elementary Schools:

Fifth grade: Lincoln dropped 1 spot
                  Jefferson dropped 6 spots
                  Markham dropped 3 spots
                  Washington dropped 1 spot
                  Foster dropped 11 spots
                  Hoover dropped 9 spots
Fourth grade: Lincoln dropped 5 spots
                     Markham dropped 23 spots
                     Washington dropped 1 spot
                     Hoover dropped 51 spots
Third grade: Lincoln dropped 18 spots
                   Hoover dropped 16 spots 

Evidently, many parents of Mt. Lebanon elementary school children do too.  The reason why I asked about vouchers and St. Bernards is that a growing number of parents are considering pulling their kids out of our elementary schools. I have no numbers as to how many, nor do I know the numbers from previous years to see if this trend is cyclical, but with thoughts of cuts, larger classes, and dropped programs, there are parents who think this is as good as it's "gonna" get.  I am so glad my kids are out of school.  I hope we can get our act together and soon~

Pittsburgh Business Times School Rankings

After studying the PBT School Rankings Pittsburgh Business Times 2011 Guide to Western PA Schools, I am glad to see Dr. Steinhauer take charge with his reorganization plan including the reappointment of Dr. Deborah Allen in a new role as the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education.  My grandson is in the Upper St. Clair Schools and was pleased to see this:

Featured School
Upper St. Clair High School has ranked at the top of the 11th grade list for six years. But that doesn’t mean it’s willing to rest on its laurels: It’s constantly reviewing and improving curriculum to stay on top of the changing times.

As a Mt. Lebanon taxpayer, I am concerned. On Josephine Posti's Center Court blog, she lists some of the highlights.  Here are some "highlights" that she forgot to mention.

Middle Schools:
Mellon dropped 2 spots for 7th grade
Mellon dropped 6 spots for 6th grade

Elementary Schools:
Fifth grade: Lincoln dropped 1 spot
                  Jefferson dropped 6 spots
                  Markham dropped 3 spots
                  Washington dropped 1 spot
                  Foster dropped 11 spots
                  Hoover dropped 9 spots
Fourth grade: Lincoln dropped 5 spots
                     Markham dropped 23 spots
                     Washington dropped 1 spot
                     Hoover dropped 51 spots
Third grade: Lincoln dropped 18 spots
                   Hoover dropped 16 spots