BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Several Bethlehem Area schools are in need of performance improvement and support, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Bethlehem Area School Board approved 2024-25 academic action plans for seven schools at its last meeting, including: Liberty and Freedom high schools; Broughal, Nitschmann and Northeast middle schools; and Freemansburg and Marvine elementary schools.
Comprehensive School Improvement Designation
Broughal Middle School is designated as needing comprehensive school improvement (CSI), meaning it is facing “significant challenges in academic achievement, student growth, and other areas.”
Because of the CSI designation, Broughal has received $585,236 in federal funds to execute improvement goals.
The middle school also received $478,112 in federal Title I grant funds, which aim to help students meet academic standards, particularly in low-income communities.
The last data cycle for the three-year CSI designation began in 2022. Broughal has received the CSI designation for a total of six years, according to the district.
Throughout the state, 118 schools currently have a CSI designation, including six schools in the Allentown School District.
Innovative Arts Academy in Catasauqua also received the CSI designation, as well as Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, which has an office in Allentown.
Additional Targeted Support and Improvement
Based on another three-year designation, Liberty and Freedom high schools need additional targeted support and improvement for students with disabilities.
That means students with disabilities at the high schools are performing at or below the level of CSI schools.
No grant funds are available for the A-TSI designation.
The last data cycle for the A-TSI designation began in 2022. Liberty and Freedom have received the A-TSI designation for a total of six years, according to the district.
There are about 225 schools throughout Pennsylvania on the A-TSI designation list for the performance of one or more student groups, including Dieruff High School in Allentown and Easton Area Middle School in Easton.
Targeted Support and Improvement
Additionally, Liberty and Freedom high schools each received a targeted support and improvement designation for the 2024-25 academic year.
Nitschmann and Northeast middle schools, as well as Freemansburg and Marvine elementary schools, also received the TSI designation.
This one-year designation means certain student groups are performing at or below state standards.
Liberty received the TSI designation for English language learners, economically disadvantaged students, Black students and Hispanic students.
Freedom received the TSI designation for English language learners, economically disadvantaged students and Hispanic students.
Nitschmann received the TSI designation for students with disabilities, English language learners and economically disadvantaged students.
Northeast received the TSI designation for students with disabilities, English language learners, economically disadvantaged students, Black students and Hispanic students.
Freemansburg received the TSI designation for students with disabilities, and Marvine received the TSI designation for English language learners.
No grant funds are available for the TSI designation. Freemansburg, Marvine and Northeast receive federal Title I funds, which the schools are using to execute their improvement plans.
Liberty and Freedom have received the TSI designation for a total of five years, according to the district. Freemansburg has received the TSI designation for a total of four years. Nitschmann and Northeast middle schools, as well as Marvine Elementary School, have all received the TSI designation for a total of two years.
East Hills Middle School and Fountain Hill Elementary School were both previously on the TSI designation list for a total of four years, but because of improved performance, they were removed, according to BASD Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Maureen Leeson.
For 2024-25, there are 521 schools throughout Pennsylvania on the TSI designation list for the performance of one or more student groups, including Dieruff and Union Terrace Elementary School in Allentown.
Additionally, Catasauqua, Easton Area, Emmaus, Salisbury and Whitehall high schools all received a TSI designation for one or more student groups.
Salisbury Elementary School, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School and Lehigh Valley Dual Language Charter School also received the designation for 2024-25.
