Maryland Standardized Test Scores Improve, City Scores Mixed

The news was good on the state level for the Maryland School Assessment, or MSA. Test scores were released today by officials. Each spring, third through eighth graders take exams to assess their math and reading skills. Statewide, student scores overall were up in both math and reading on the 2012 MSA exams, but the results were mixed in Baltimore City. WYPR’s Gwendolyn Glenn reports.

Gwendolyn Glenn: Maryland’s new school superintendent, Lilllian Lowery’s first press conference was filled with good news on the MSA test score results. Statewide, elementary students’ proficiency in math and reading increased to nearly 90 percent. Middle school students’ scores rose by nearly three percentage points in math from last year but dropped slightly in reading. At a separate press conference, Baltimore City Schools CEO Andres Alonso announced that 70 percent of the district’s schools achieved their state-mandated goals in both subjects this year.

Andres Alonso: One-hundred twenty made their goals in math. One-hundred ten made their goals in reading, but 100 made it in both subjects.

Glenn: Even so, city school students test scores are still far behind state results. In addition, the district experienced a nearly two percentage point drop in reading proficiency scores this year. Alonso says to address that expected decline, summer school programs are focusing heavily on reading this year. I’m Gwendolyn Glenn reporting in Baltimore for 88-1, WYPR.