Maryland School Report Card Shows Improvement, Baltimore Region Mixed
Maryland School Report Card Shows Enhancement, But Disparities Remain
Baltimore – The Maryland State Department of Education released its 2024 Maryland School Report Card on Tuesday, revealing a positive trend for many school systems across the state. While the number of high-performing schools increased, some districts in the Baltimore region are facing challenges, highlighting persistent educational disparities.
The report card utilizes a one-to-five-star rating system, evaluating schools based on academic achievement, progress, and graduation rates. This year, 91 schools throughout Maryland earned the coveted five-star rating, a notable increase from 85 schools in 2023. The number of four-star schools also climbed to 446, up from 409 last year.
“I feel good,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright. “I feel good that we are, that we’re showing that level of improvement. I think we still got a ways to go. I’m not going to say that we’ve achieved what we need to achieve.”
Baltimore County led the state with 20 five-star schools, marking a one-school increase from 2023.”We are encouraged by the growth our schools are making on key markers of progress and achievement,” said Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers in a statement. “The improvements in 2024 Star Ratings across the system are evidence of the effectiveness of the targeted and extensive resources and supports we put in place to fast forward student achievement.”
Anne Arundel and Harford Counties also demonstrated progress, with Anne Arundel seeing an increase from nine to eleven five-star schools and Harford County rising from four to seven.
However, Baltimore City and Carroll County experienced a decline in five-star schools. baltimore Polytechnic Institute remains the lone five-star school in Baltimore City.Carroll County, while lacking any five-star schools, boasts a commendable 65% of its schools earning four stars.
Despite the overall improvement, the number of schools achieving four and five stars still falls short of pre-pandemic levels. Last year, the maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) attributed this decline to chronic absenteeism, wich remains a concern statewide.
Adding to the complexity, the state is considering changes to its school rating and accountability systems. During Tuesday’s state board meeting, a task force presented recommendations for adjustments.
“I want to say there’s like a little bit of a disconnect,” explained Wright, expressing concern that the star system may not accurately reflect student achievement levels.
For instance, in Baltimore City, only 10.2% of students scored proficient in math and 27.7% in English Language Arts in 2024. Yet, nearly half of the city’s schools, 63, received three stars or better, while 81 earned one or two stars.
Similar discrepancies exist in Baltimore County, were 19.3% of students scored proficient in math and 41.9% in english. Despite this, 129 schools received three or more stars, while only 33 received one or two stars.Wright believes the rating system could be refined to more accurately depict student academic success, even though the specific changes remain under discussion.
“I’m feeling very positive about this, and I think that the superintendents are feeling very, very good about this,” said Wright. “I think they’re very hopeful that a new assessment system and a new accountability system is going to make a difference.”
maryland School Enhancement Seen, Disparities Persist: An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Carey wright
NewsDirect3.com –
The 2024 Maryland School Report Card paints a picture of progress, highlighting a rise in high-performing schools across the state. Yet, disparities remain, particularly in the Baltimore region, raising concerns about educational equity. We sat down with Maryland State superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey Wright, to discuss these findings and the path forward.
ND3: Dr. Wright, the report card shows a welcome increase in five-star schools. What factors are driving this improvement?
Dr. Wright: We are seeing positive results from focused efforts by school districts to improve teaching and learning. Dedicated educators, innovative programs, and targeted resource allocation are all contributing factors.
ND3: While the overall picture is encouraging, some districts in the Baltimore region are experiencing challenges. What are your thoughts on these disparities?
Dr. Wright: We recognize that important work remains to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.Chronic absenteeism, socio-economic factors, and systemic inequities continue to pose challenges for some communities.
ND3: The report card utilizes a star system for rating schools. Some have raised concerns that this system may not fully reflect student achievement. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Wright:
It’s vital to continually evaluate our assessment and accountability systems. I share concerns that the current star ratings may not always provide a complete picture of student success.
ND3: What specific changes are being considered to address these concerns?
Dr. Wright: A task force has been diligently working on recommendations for refinements to the rating system. We are exploring ways to provide a more nuanced and accurate reflection of student learning.
ND3: What message do you have for parents, educators, and community members who are actively involved in improving our schools?
Dr. Wright: Your dedication is vital to our progress. We must work collaboratively, leverage best practices, and remain committed to creating equitable learning environments for all Maryland students.
The conversation around school improvement is ongoing. Stay tuned to NewsDirect3 for in-depth coverage and analysis of these critical issues.