Abington School District
Encyclopedia
The Abington School District covers the Borough of Rockledge
and Abington Township
in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
. The district operates Abington Senior High School
(10th-12th), Abington Junior High School (7th-9th), Copper Beech Elementary School, Highland Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Overlook Elementary School, Roslyn Elementary School, Rydal Elementary School and Willow Hill Elementary School.
In 2008, the school district ranked 33rd out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts and 263rd out of 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts. In 2007, the district ranked 34th out of 501 Pennsylvania School Districts.
Graduation Rate:
2010 - 95%
2009 - 93%
2008 - 96%
2007 - 96%
In 2009, the senior high school is in Making Progress: in School Improvement I. Students who are English language learners are not making adequate yearly progress.
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 86% on grade level. In Pennsylvania 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 86%, State - 65%
2008 - 54%, State - 65%
2007 - 34%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 82% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 79%, State - 56%
2008 - 54%, State - 56%
2007 - 28%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
2009 - 50% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 56%, State - 40%
2008 - 38%, STate - 39%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 44% of Abington School District 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.
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 and programs 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $26,993 for the program.
, health insurance
, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits.
Abington School District administrative costs per pupil was $993.92 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, grants, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Pennsylvania exempts pension income and social security income from both state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of income.
in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal each February.
federal grant. When approved for the grant, the district will receive a million dollars of additional federal funding 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. 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 occurred in June 2010, which was a complete disaster as well.
- 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 2009-2011 school years.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 951 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.
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.
controversy, with Abington School District v. Schempp
. The Supreme Court case resulted in a declaration of the unconstitutionality of school-sanctioned Bible
reading.
Rockledge, Pennsylvania
Rockledge is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,543 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Rockledge is located at ....
and Abington Township
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 55,310 in as of the 2010 census.Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's...
in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
. The district operates Abington Senior High School
Abington Senior High School
Abington Senior High School is a three-year co-educational high school in Abington, Pennsylvania. The school was a two-year high school known as Abington South Campus until June 1983. In September 1984, Abington South Campus became a three-year high school and eventually changed its name to...
(10th-12th), Abington Junior High School (7th-9th), Copper Beech Elementary School, Highland Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Overlook Elementary School, Roslyn Elementary School, Rydal Elementary School and Willow Hill Elementary School.
Academic achievement
Six of the district's nine schools have achieved recognition as a Blue Ribbon School.- Overlook Elementary School National and Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School
- Rydal Elementary School National and Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School
- Roslyn Elementary School Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School
- McKinley Elementary School National and Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School
- Abington Junior High School! Abington Junior High School
- Abington Senior High School National and Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School
In 2008, the school district ranked 33rd out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts and 263rd out of 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts. In 2007, the district ranked 34th out of 501 Pennsylvania School Districts.
Graduation Rate:
2010 - 95%
2009 - 93%
2008 - 96%
2007 - 96%
High school
In 2010, the HIgh School achieved AYP.In 2009, the senior high school is in Making Progress: in School Improvement I. Students who are English language learners are not making adequate yearly progress.
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 86% on grade level. In Pennsylvania 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 86%, State - 65%
2008 - 54%, State - 65%
2007 - 34%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 82% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 79%, State - 56%
2008 - 54%, State - 56%
2007 - 28%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
2009 - 50% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 56%, State - 40%
2008 - 38%, STate - 39%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 44% of Abington School District 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.
Dual enrollment
The 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 and programs 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $26,993 for the program.
Budget
In 2007, the district employed 493 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $69,875 for 180 days worked. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pensionPension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
, health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits.
Abington School District administrative costs per pupil was $993.92 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, grants, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Pennsylvania exempts pension income and social security income from both state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of income.
State basic education funding
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.00% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $5,708,777. This was the lowest percentage point increase, in Basic Education Funding, for the school districts in the county. Six school districts in Montgomery County received increases of over 4% in Basic Education Funding in 2009. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,596,840.24. Seventy public school districts received a 2% increase in 2009. Muhlenberg School DistrictMuhlenberg 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 a 22.31% increase in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal each February.
Race to the Top grant
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. When approved for the grant, the district will receive a million dollars of additional federal funding 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. 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 occurred in June 2010, which was a complete disaster as well.
Federal Stimulus Funding
The district received an extra $1,984,104 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 2009-2011 school years.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 951 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.
Extracurriculars
The district's students have access to a variety of clubs, activities and sports.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.
Abington School District vs. Schempp
The school district received some notoriety in the 1960s when it became one of the key parties in the school prayerSchool prayer
School prayer in its common usage refers to state-approved prayer by students in state schools. Depending on the country and the type of school, organized prayer may be required, permitted, or prohibited...
controversy, with Abington School District v. Schempp
Abington School District v. Schempp
Abington Township School District v. Schempp , 374 U.S. 203 , was a United States Supreme Court case argued on February 27–28, 1963 and decided on June 17, 1963...
. The Supreme Court case resulted in a declaration of the unconstitutionality of school-sanctioned Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
reading.