PA Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera brought the Schools That Teach Tour to Aliquippa School District on Friday, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. Rivera toured the elementary school and junior senior high school, and a round table discussion with administrators, teachers, local leaders and students convened in the Black Box Theater at the junior senior high school. Rivera told the group after being introduced by Superintendent Dr. Peter M. Carbone that schools only work when communities come together . Elverna Cuffie, vice president of the school board said we’re very proud of the students , and every child can learn and be successful, “I know we’re on the right track.” Ms. Cuffie graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1966, went to college, and came back and taught in the district and retired from here, remaining involved in the community. Secretary Rivera thanked her for her service. Secretary Rivera said the opiod wpidemic is a problem , education is the biggest issue to be addressed , how we assess the schools, not just with the standardized tests , how we assess schools will change , and we are looking at programs ,are kids learning after high school.? He said restoring critical funding and supporting pre-k to post secondary are the keys to Governor Tom Wolf’s “SCHOOLS THAT TEACH” initiative. Ideas are being explored to to modify the SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROFILE established in 2013 a program that heavily relies on standardized tests. He said the spp is heavily reliant on the test scores at a single point in the school year . PDE”s recommendations for FUTURE READY PA INDEX retains everal of the indicators , however weighting of the indicators would be modified he said. Under the Wolf Administration he has worked with legislature to secure $640 million in education funding at all levels. Aliquippa is struggling, according to board member Catherine Colalella because the district doesn’t receive enough funding, and teachers pay out of pocket for necessary supplies for the classroom. Colalella asked it anything can be done at the state level, Rivera said yes.Dr. Carbone said there’s alot of pride , we’re successful, and we’ll keep it that way.” Secretary Rivera said ,”we’re here to help, we’re here to change the conditions you’re working in.” He talked about cleaning up communities ,and we’re here to help.He added we’re at a really messy part if the state had been in the investment of education 5 years ago , we’re behind the 8 ball now. He said PDe is working with school districts and the IU’s to make sure teachers have what they need for personalized learning. He said there will be a data summit in a few months Curriculum coordinator Lisa Dutkovich said Aliquippa is unique and the district can’t afford the advanced placement testing and students have to do it online. She said PDE has been extremely helpful.
