Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Female teacher with 3 students working on robotics

This office oversees the development, implementation and review of the district’s curriculum and related areas. Through the integration of curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development, it seeks to provide the students of the Methacton School District with the most current and effective educational experience possible.

Chapter 339 Plan

Chapter 339 is the requirement that Pennsylvania school districts have a plan for comprehensive school counseling services for all students, kindergarten through 12^th grade. The plan documents the mission, stakeholders, counselor roles, goals, curriculum and delivery system of the school counseling program. In addition, the plan focuses on career readiness and includes a career plan, portfolio and strategies to engage with the local career and technical center.

Chapter 339 is part of the School Code on Vocational Education. This plan was approved by the Board of School Directors on March 28, 2023.

View Methacton's Chapter 339 Plan

Comprehensive Plan

Curriculum Review Cycle 2024-2029

PSSA/Keystone Exams

The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards. These standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology identify what a student should know and be able to do at varying grade levels. School districts possess the freedom to design curriculum and instruction to ensure that students meet or exceed the standards' expectations.

Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 5 and 8 is also assessed in STEELS, the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Environmental Literacy Standards that go into effect July 1, 2025.

Individual student scores, provided only to their respective schools, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning.

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to determine proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s system of high school graduation requirements. Keystone Exams help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards—standards aligned with expectations for success in college and the workplace. In order to receive a diploma, students must also meet local district credit and attendance requirements and complete a culminating project, along with any additional district requirements.

Students need to demonstrate proficiency on the Keystone Exams in order to graduate per Act 158 of 2018, Pathways to Graduation.

Title I

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, Title I is a 100% Federally funded supplemental education program that provides financial assistance to local educational agencies to improve educational opportunities for educationally deprived children. Title I programs are designed to help children meet the state content and performance standards in reading, language arts, and mathematics. In buildings with 40% or more poverty, LEAs may use the funds to upgrade the entire curriculum of the school and are Schoolwide Programs. In buildings with less than 40% poverty, programs are designed to help specific children and are targeted assisted programs. LEAs and schools are subject to consequences of school choice and supplemental education services if they do not meet adequate yearly progress as determined by the SEA.

Learn more about Title I here