Highlands School District appears ready to go to work to remedy deficiencies from a state performance measure.

Assistant Superintendent Cathleen Cubelic said the Pennsylvania Future Ready Index showed Highlands students are not meeting state averages in a number of categories.

The three testing categories were: state assessment measures, on-track measures and college/career readiness.

The subjects tested were English, language arts/literature, math/Algebra I and science/biology.

The results of the testing were grouped into categories including meeting interim goals, meeting standard demonstrating growth and exceeding goals. They were scrutinized in a complex formula that officials said was designed to meet annual targets.

Of particular concern was the elementary level, where students, while scoring high on English proficiency, fell behind state averages on demonstrating growth in all three subjects.

“We have a lot of work to do reaching these standards, and we’re moving in that direction,” said Superintendent Monique Mawhinney. “The elementary is where we’re not seeing enough gain.”

“This (index) is an indication of where we need to focus,” Cubelic said. “We have to target instruction and relationships with students.”

The senior high school performed much better in several categories, including career standards, where a 99.4% score far exceeded the state average of 89.8%.

The middle school was a mixed bag of success in the various categories. In English language arts, the middle-schoolers exceeded standard demonstrating growth but did not meet interim goals.

The Advanced Placement students at Highlands scored well in areas of growth, according to officials.

The results for Highlands and other school districts are posted on the website: www.future readypa.org.

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