At Twin Valley Middle School, the reliance on Chromebooks for all learning activities is problematic, as there are no safeguards on the computers. Homework is minimal, usually consisting of 3-5 questions on the Chromebook. The curriculum lacks depth, with students not reading classic books, and teachers not emphasizing proper grammar, punctuation, or paragraph writing. Critical historical topics, such as Black history, are not taught. High testing scores might be due to the tests being taken on Chromebooks rather than reflecting true understanding. The teaching staff does not exhibit the qualities of respectfulness, support, or motivation expected from educators. There is a general lack of interest in proper teaching methodologies, leading to subpar instruction quality. Special education services are grossly inadequate. I witnessed an emotionally distressed child being yelled at by a teacher, which is entirely unacceptable. The staff is not trained to handle children with special needs compassionately. Additionally, my daughter, who has an IEP, was not offered a conference because the teacher deemed a previous IEP meeting sufficient, which was baffling. The environment at this school is far from safe. Instances of racial discrimination and bullying are rampant, and the administration’s response is inadequate. Reports of assault and racial slurs are not handled with the seriousness they deserve. The transportation service, specifically Eshelman Transportation, also fails to protect students from harassment. There is no meaningful family engagement. Parents’ concerns are often dismissed, and there is a lack of communication regarding students’ learning progress. The school does not make an effort to include families as partners in their children's education. Conferences are only 15 minutes long, and there is a lack of follow-up. Twin Valley Middle School needs significant improvements to provide a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment for all students. Parents considering this school should be aware of these serious concerns.
