2025 Executive Summary
2025 Report to the Community
Executive Summary
Overview
Since 2004, A+ Schools has worked to help you understand what’s happening in our public schools. The 2025 Report to the Community on Public School Progress in Pittsburgh looks again at the issues that keep every kid from being successful in every school every day. In our schools where children of different abilities, backgrounds, and native tongues come together, it takes the support of family, teachers, and a rich network of community resources to help all children thrive.
Education is the most powerful tool to improve economic mobility and quality schools are a key driver for strong community development. In order for all communities to do well, children need the knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in college and careers. And success starts with being in school every day. To get every child to school every day:
Every community should be a place where all kids can get to school safely and on time,
Every family should have what they need (health care, childcare, housing, work, and other supports) so kids can come to school ready to learn; and
Every school should be a place where all students and staff feel they belong and are excited to be.
This executive summary specifically explores the systems issues that lead to:
Racial economic segregation. According to Dr. Sean Reardon of Stanford University, racial economic segregation is the strongest predictor of racial achievement gaps because schools with concentrated economic disadvantages are more likely to be schools where more students are chronically absent, have health issues, and have other unmet needs.
Access to resources. Whether it’s the money that’s spent at the school or a teacher who shares a student’s racial or ethnic identity, these resources matter to the child’s sense of belonging and whether they feel cared for.
Opportunities for enrichment and academic success. Whether it’s arts, music, and World Languages or learning supports, students need access to a variety of opportunities to be able to be successful in school.
These systemic issues impact state and local measures of school success including:
Chronic absenteeism: how many students miss more than 10% of their school days
Suspensions: how many students miss school due to disciplinary practices
Academic growth: as measured by the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System
Academic proficiency: how many students meet state and national grade level standards on tests
AP class taking and AP test scores: how many students take college credit earning courses
College-ready GPA: how many students have a GPA of 2.8 or higher, an evidence-based measure that has some correlation with future academic success
Graduation: how many students complete high school within four years
College and trade school completion: how many students complete college or trade school within six years of graduation
IEP refers to students with an Individualized Education Program for special education, excluding students identified as “gifted.”