The Tyrone Area Elementary School is being recognized in a national publication thanks to the math score achievements of its fifth grade students during last year’s PSSA testing.
The information about the school is noted in an annual Report Card which has been prepared by Saxon Publishers, Inc. of Norman, OK.
In 2003, 71.3 percent of the fifth graders scored at the proficient or advanced level on the math portion of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, according to a press release issued on Wednesday by Saxon. The 2002 figure was 59.3 percent.
Saxon publishes research-based programs in math, phonics and early learning for pre-K through grade 12 students.
“With Saxon Math the children practice and review numerous skills each day, which enables them to maintain many skills at once,” said Tyrone fourth grade teacher Jeanine H. Fries.
“The students’ self-esteem has increased due to experiencing success, especially with homework,” said Fries. “Students volunteer more in class and express the realization of why math is so relative to life. Students are excelling on standardized tests such as the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment due to the comprehensive nature of the Saxon Math program.
“This program was new to me when I came to the district five years ago,” Fries told The Daily Herald.
“The more I use it the more I see how it helps the children. The students retain the knowledge and skills over a longer period of time.”
The report card issued by Saxon highlights the results at 70 schools throughout the United States where students are showing dramatic, sustained improvement in test scores after using Saxon Math and/or Saxon Phonics.
“The Tyrone Area Elementary teachers and administrators should be extremely proud of their accomplishment,” said Gerard Smith, Saxon president and CEO.
“Saxon’s unique approach to teaching math; incremental development, continual review and frequent and cumulative testing is helping teachers across the country instill confidence in their students,” said Smith. “Our experience and research indicate that students who develop good fundamental skills through our programs are more likely to enjoy math and pursue higher levels of learning.”
Tyrone Elementary principal Theo Spewock confirmed the long association Saxon and Tyrone schools have had.
“Saxon piloted its Kindergarten program here in Tyrone,” said Spewock. “This dates back to when the Adams School was still open.
“Even at that level, the students are getting involved with graphs, for example,” said Spewock. “We’re very pleased with how this program has worked at the very early levels of education.”
Saxon Publishers, Inc. is the largest family-owned publisher of math, phonics and early childhood development programs in the country.
Additional information about the company is available on their web site: www.saxonpublishers.com.
