SMCPS Students in Grades 5 and 8 Exceed State Averages
LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Oct 1, 2008)—The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released St. Mary's County Public Schools' student performance results for the Maryland Science Assessment for students in grades five and eight.
St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) announced that the vast majority of students successfully completed the assessment. At the fifth grade level, 75.8% of SMCPS students successfully completed the assessment with a proficient or advanced score compared to the state average of 64.1%. In grade eight, 72.6% of SMCPS students successfully completed the assessment with a proficient or advanced score compared to the state average of 61.4%.
"Although there is much work that remains to be done, we are pleased that the majority of our students are meeting or exceeding the Maryland Science Assessment standard," said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools. "The science assessment provides us a good comparison of how well our students are performing relative to the state standard and to their peers around the state," stated Dr. Martirano.
SMCPS performance data compared favorably to other school systems. Students in SMCPS are ranked 6 out of 24 school systems for fifth grade students and 7 out of 24 school systems for eighth grade students on this assessment.
Mrs. Linda Dudderar, chief academic officer stated, "Curriculum units have been designed that are aligned with the Science Voluntary State Curriculum ensuring that students master the indicators and objectives of the state standards. Data from county assessments is collected, analyzed, and used to design instruction that ensures that all students are prepared to be successful on the Maryland Science Assessment."
Ms. Claudia Wortman, supervisor of instruction for science said, "I am extremely pleased with the results of the Maryland Science Assessment. Administrators and teachers are working very hard to ensure the success of our students in science. Strong science instruction is vital to the future of our nation, its defense, and its place in the world."
This is the first time the MSDE Division of Accountability and Assessment office has released the Maryland Science Assessment scores.
Source: St. Mary's County Public Schools