LA PLATA, Md. (June 8, 2010)—Charles County Public Schools’ class of 2010 met the challenges of the state High School Assessments (HSA) graduation requirement.
No Charles County high school student failed to graduate solely because of the High School Assessments (HSA), which is a graduation requirement that took effect with the class of 2009. Other graduation requirements include student service learning and completion of a minimum of 23 credits as specified by law.
HSA data shows that 2,104 Charles County Public Schools seniors met the HSA requirement with 1,543 students passing all four tests. Additionally, 369 students, or 17.5 percent, met the requirement by achieving a combined score of 1,602 points across the four assessments. Another 9 percent, or 189 students, used the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation to pass the HSAs. Three students were granted state waivers.
“Our high schools and instructional staff worked hard to track the progress of individual students and to provide a plan to help them be successful on the HSA. I commend each staff member for making sure our students graduated with their class,” said Superintendent James E. Richmond.
HSA is a requirement for the Maryland High School Diploma, which started with the class of 2009. HSAs include algebra, English II, government and biology. The algebra and English II scores are also used as part of the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) and to determine Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at the high school level. All six Charles County public high schools met AYP for the 2009-10 school year, and Charles County Public Schools also met AYP as a system.
There are several ways that students can meet the rigorous HSA requirements. Students can pass all four tests outright; earn a combined score of 1,602 on all four tests; or complete the Bridge Plan, which offers students who have not achieved passing scores on assessments an optional way to meet the HSA requirement. Students failing to pass an HSA can complete a single eight- to twelve-hour project for every 21 points they fall short of a passing score.
Source: Charles County Public School System