According to information provided by Northwestern Lehigh Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Holman, The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile. This data is used to assess the academic performance in each of its schools.

While schools previously received a No Child Left Behind designation, public schools will now receive an academic performance score.

An online public portal, the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile, will now provide demographic data, academic data, and an academic performance score for public schools in the state.

"While we will receive a score for each of our schools, the more important aspect of this resource is that it will publicly acknowledge our strengths," Superintendent Dr. Mary Anne Wright said. "The SPP is a completely different format for communicating school performance, and we will use the information it provides as one data set to help us celebrate the achievement of our students.

"In addition, we anticipate the SPP information will also help us identify areas to focus our attention."

The School Performance Profile's academic performance score is based not only on test scores but on additional factors that signal student achievement.

A student growth factor measures how well students are progressing toward proficiency in state assessments.

Also measured are graduation and attendance rates and degree of rigorous course offerings at the secondary level.

Northwestern Lehigh School District

·Northwestern Lehigh Elementary: 81.2

·Weisenberg Elementary: 80.4

·Northwestern Lehigh Middle School: 87.0

·Northwestern Lehigh High School: 85.1

Many data elements come together to create the academic performance score.

A score is reported for each school and is based upon indicators that define a high performing school in Pennsylvania.

The School Performance Profile score is based on a 100-point scale and schools may also earn extra points beyond the 100 point scoring system for those students who have earned advanced scores on the state, industry, and Advanced Placement Exams.