LETTER TO THE INTELLIGENCER JOURNALL / NEW ERA : In sorting public schools into categories of “best” and “worst,” the Intelligencer/New Era painted an incomplete picture of school performance in the School District of Lancaster (December 13, 2013).
To be clear, we believe all students can learn and achieve at high levels. It is also true that SDoL possesses characteristics that are unique among the 500 school districts statewide. Our district includes nearly 1,900 English Language Learners—over 600 of whom are new to this country. More than 400 of these students come with a refugee status, and many have had no formal schooling. Our students come from 71 countries, and speak 38 languages. Eighty-three percent of families fall below the poverty line, and we provide education and vital services to more than 900 homeless children. Our rigorous special education offerings serve nearly 2,000 IEP students, including many who require specific life skills services.
We are privileged to serve these students—many of whom will require additional time and supports to reach the ambitious academic targets that guide our work. But we are making important strides including rising graduation rates; steady gains in state assessment scores in schools across the district (and especially notable improvement in math, science, and writing); and the highest-possible scores for students’ participation in programs that will help them succeed in college. Three quarters of our schools are meeting or exceeding the Department of Education’s Standards for Academic Growth in reading and math.
We welcome a complete and equitable comparison of the School District of Lancaster and districts with similar demographics across the state. Our state scores exceeded the average for urban districts in Pennsylvania—all of which have seen devastating cuts to basic and special education funding. Against these challenges, we have been able to protect music, arts, and physical education programs that help define our district.
Serving a district that is a greater reflection of the world we live in is the most challenging and rewarding work imaginable. It is work that would not be possible without the commitment of hundreds of dedicated professionals and our community partners and it is work that is best accomplished with this community’s full support. We welcome the Department of Education’s new school rating system, but urge all stakeholders to recognize the additional metrics of success that define our district.
Dr. Stacey Marten, School Board President
Pedro A. Rivera, Superintendent
Obviously, LNP has no interest in pointing out such facts as they would involve asking pertinent questions and doing some homework. Rather then tearing down SDoL, they should right a story comparing them not to the other Countywide districts that share little of the same demographics but with other urban districts statewide.
Maybe Gil Smart can divert his attention from Backpage and work on such a story…yes Gil, I realize it is not as sexy. No real surprise, they own 50% of the private hotel that is not really private so that they can avoid paying school taxes…clearly the bottom line reigns supreme for them over looking out for the SDoL.