From Harford County government:
Harford County Executive David R. Craig has issued the following statement regarding the annual progress report on the Maryland School Assessments (MS) recently released by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
“I commend Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert M. Tomback and the Board of Education of Harford County for their excellent work during the past year helping students achieve success in our school system. The latest Maryland School Assessments (HAS’s) are quite encouraging and demonstrate our school systems outstanding efforts this past year moving toward the 2014 goal of 100 percent proficiency. I have always been proud of the outstanding reputation of Harford County’s public schools. This year’s test scores continue to show that Harford County continues to remain among the top school systems in the State.” County Executive Craig stated.
“With respect to Edgewood Middle School, I commend Dr. Lawrence Rudolf and his dedicated staff for achieving Annual Yearly Progress for the second consecutive year as well as significant noted improvement for African American students, students in poverty and special education students,” County Executive Craig remarked.
“Finally, I wish to congratulate the outstanding teachers and support staff of Harford County Public Schools for their tireless efforts and determination in supporting students and helping them achieve success. Harford County is fortunate to have such talented teachers and as a former teacher and administrator I am proud of their success in helping Harford County move forward in meeting the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act,” County Executive Craig stated.
And I quote “I commend Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert M. Tomback and the Board of Education of Harford County for their excellent work during the past year helping students achieve success in our school system. The latest Maryland School Assessments (HAS’s) are quite encouraging and demonstrate our school systems outstanding efforts this past year moving toward the 2014 goal of 100 percent proficiency.
Am I missing the part where he actually thanks the teachers in the system since they are the ones who deliver the instruction. Yet he thanks the Board of Education. What is wrong with this picture?
yes the last paragraph. He saved the best for last.
I hope HCPSTeacher teaches all the way to the end of the lesson plans, rather than stopping halfway through to criticize. What is wrong with this picture?
Can 100% of people get 100% at any one time? I don’t think so, students from other countries who don’t speak English, who have been in severe poverty or are simply poor test takers will never test well. Does it mean we fail, no. Does it mean those students are stupid? Absolutely not. It means that testing isn’t everything, in focusing on the tests and not the development of imagination and logic of kids fails us maybe not in testing grades but in the future.
I could not agree with you more. The pontification of politicians and education bureaucrats that all children should be able to do 100% of anything is absolutely ludicrous. These individuals should be challenged immediately on the ridiculous nature of such mandates as they surely know they are impossible to meet. But such pronouncements are self serving as this provides cover and an opportunity for them to point fingers at others when these unrealistic goals cannot be met.
The purpose of K-12 education is to teach children to think for themselves, make rational decisions, and be prepared to enter the world of higher education or the workforce as productive members of society. Instead we are producing children who are measured on their ability to pass tests. It is as if education has been reduced to a production line where schools are graded on how many toasters we can churn out in a given school year. Such a myopic view of children’s needs and preparation for the adult world does us all a disservice. Children deserve better and we can do better when we put the interests of children above political expediency and education bureaucrats’ never ending attempts to justify their reason for being.