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The meeting also featured a presentation on test taking skills that would help student achievement on the test. The administration also said that they were planning a pizza party to encourage and thank the students. The pep rally was concluded with a performance by the Allderdice Band.

While the pep rally and the planned post-test celebration are being stressed to give confidence to the students, some remain skeptical of their merits.

“I like the pep rallies and the pizza parties because they get me out of class,” said eleventh grader Jake Schiller. “It really doesn’t do anything to motivate me.”

Junior John Hasley also expressed doubts on the rewards of taking a mandatory test.

“The motivation is short sighted,” he said. “You can’t make students do better on a test by offering free pizza.”

Dr. Kemp, however, disputes these claims and instead characterizes the pizza party as a way of giving back to the students.

“The reason why we give the pizza party is to thank the kids for a good job on the PSSA,” said Kemp. "It’s my way of saying thank you for having the right attitude.”

The administration is hopeful that Allderdice will attain the most proficient and advanced scores throughout the city and remains optimistic about the school’s future PSSA score.

“As long as we have the same things in place and attitude that we had this year,” said Friez, “we should continue to succeed.”

This year’s reward for high PSSA scores.

PSSA Scores Improve

By: Ben Gordon

The Allderdice Foreword

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