Time will tell whether the new Common Core State Standards are a vital improvement in public education, or another reform that fizzled. One thing is clear: The tests won’t come cheap. At $29.50 per student, new tests aligned with the Common Core will cost over $2 million more than the Maryland state tests they will […]
Harford Elementary and Middle Schools Continue to Progress on State Tests Through Transition
From Harford County Public Schools: Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students in grades three through eight continue to make progress toward Maryland School Assessment (MSA) targets in both reading and mathematics, according to data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). In elementary reading and mathematics, 91 percent and 89 percent of […]
Mikulski, Md. Delegation Push University of Maryland as Test Site for Unmanned Aircraft
From the Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), together with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and the bipartisan Maryland House Delegation, sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today urging him to give the University System of Maryland’s Unmanned Aircraft […]
New State Standardized Tests Will Take Students Nearly Twice as Long to Complete; PARCC Computer-Based Exams Begin in 2014-15
It will take Maryland students nearly twice as long to complete new state tests that the Maryland Department of Education says will more accurately measure college and career readiness. Depending on grade level, completing the new math and English tests will take the typical student a total of 8 to 10 hours, combined, according to […]
Advanced Placement in Harford County Public Schools: A Surprise Announcement and a Closer Look
The drive to improve college readiness in Harford County Public Schools includes boosting student participation in rigorous Advanced Placement exams. For 2012, the school system has reported that exam participation soared, rising 20% over last year to a total of 1,824 students, despite high school enrollment that was flat overall. Test results also improved, with […]
Harford County Students Exceed Benchmarks on 2012 SAT for Math and Critical Reading; Fall Short in Writing Skills
Students in a majority of Harford County public high schools exceeded new national benchmarks for proficiency in math and critical reading on the 2012 SAT, but nearly all schools fell short in writing skills. C. Milton Wright was the only high school to meet proficiency benchmarks in all three tested areas and the only one […]
Harford County Realizes Significant Gains in AP Participation; SAT Scores Hold Steady and Exceed State and National Data
From Harford County Public Schools: Harford County Public Schools realized a 20 percent increase in participation in Advanced Placement (AP) assessments from 1,525 students in 2011 to 1,824 students in 2012, this at the same time total high school enrollment in the county remained steady. Total enrollment in AP courses in 2012 was 4,591, a […]
Harford County Elementary and Middle Schools Meet, Exceed New State Standards
From Harford County Public Schools: Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students in grades three through eight continue to meet or exceed Maryland School Assessment (MSA) targets in both reading and mathematics, according to data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Nearly 98 percent of all middle and elementary schools achieved proficiency […]