Jul 21, 2009 5:21 pm US/Eastern
Strong Gains In Md. Assessment Results
Reporting
Adam May
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Test scores are in and Maryland students are making strides. For the seventh year in a row, standardized test scores have gone up.
CBS
Test scores are in and Maryland students are making strides. For the seventh year in a row, standardized test scores have gone up.
Adam May has the state superintendent's reaction to the news.
U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, visited Abbottston Elementary School in East Baltimore to celebrate excellent test scores.
Overall, across the entire state of Maryland, students did better on this year's school assessment tests. Elementary scores in reading and math are up 25% since 2003, with more than 80% proficient. Middle schoolers also showed improvements, but while math scores are up 32%, almost one in three students are not proficient.
"I want 100% in every subject area, but I am saying we are making some progress toward higher achievement. I think there are some problems with the middle schools," said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick.
In Maryland, 158 schools are identified as needing improvement. While much better than last year, Baltimore City still has the most, with a handful of schools in surrounding counties failing in at least one category.
"The biggest issue we have is ensuring all of our students with disabilities meeting the standard," Grasmick said.
While she says she's pleased overall, she found herself defending the testing process to a few members of the Board of Education.
"What does this mean when we communicate to the citizens of this state that our children are proficient, when all we're trying to do is meet a target for [a federal education bill] 'No Child Left Behind?'" asked Kate Walsh.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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