Results from the 2014 Maryland School Assessment (MSA) for elementary and middle school students were published online Friday, showing a drop in scores statewide. In a press release, State Superintendent Lillian Lowery explained the decline as a mismatch between the MSA and new state standards: “Our schools have fully implemented the new Maryland College and Career Ready Standards, so we knew going into this assessment period that the standards and the curricula being taught were not completely aligned.”
The state-mandated standards and related curricular framework cited by Lowery incorporate the Common Core State Standards adopted unanimously by the Maryland State Board of Education in 2010.
Administration of the MSA in 2014 was also its last, as Common Core-aligned tests created by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), are planned for statewide implementation next year.
Reacting to the 2014 MSA scores in Harford County Public Schools, Superintendent Barbara Canavan provided the following statement Tuesday:
“Harford County Public Schools, like schools across the state, will continue to work with [Maryland State Department of Education] as the MSA test transitions to the PARCC assessment. HCPS is committed to provide the professional support to our teachers that is needed to transition to PARCC and to our students as they make the transition as well. We work closely with MSDE and through their guidance, expected a variance in test results across the state. When a state takes on a transition of this magnitude, it is essential that we remember these results cannot be compared to last years results as it is not equitable data. We are proud of our staff and students for their hard work during the first stage of the move to PARCC and are preparing for the next steps in this process.”
Jillian Lader, manager of communications for HCPS, also explained that the number of students taking the MSA was reduced this year because some students participated instead in a field-test of the PARCC exam:
“Due to PARCC testing this year, the tested population for MSA’s decreased in each school. Each school had at least one class participate in PARCC in a content area which means they did not take the MSA in that same content area. Some schools had multiple classes participate in PARCC resulting in a more significant decrease in the MSA tested population. The number of classes participating in PARCC assessments was randomly chosen in each school.”
The press release from the Maryland State Department of Education appears below, followed by links to MSA results for individual Harford County public schools.
FINAL MSA RESULTS RELEASED
DATA USED TO INFORM INSTRUCTION DURING TRANSITION TO NEW ASSESSMENTS NEXT SCHOOL YEARBALTIMORE (July 11, 2014) – The final administration of the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) scores yielded an expected across-the-board drop in 2014, as school systems shifted instruction to new college and career-ready standards, according to data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education.
The transition continues next school year with full implementation of the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) assessments, which are aligned to the new standards and serve as a total reset of the State’s accountability system. Maryland successfully field tested the new online advanced assessments this spring as the final MSA tests were completed.
“Our schools have fully implemented the new Maryland College and Career Ready Standards, so we knew going into this assessment period that the standards and the curricula being taught were not completely aligned,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery. “However, school systems can use the MSA data to continue analyzing the achievement of specific student groups, classrooms, and schools. These results, where we still have some groups of students performing better, can point us to best practices grounded in analytical thinking skills.”
The percentage of elementary students scoring at the proficient levels in reading on the MSA was 84.3 percent this year compared to 86.4 percent in 2013, while the percentage of elementary students scoring at the proficient levels in mathematics was 75.8 percent compared to 83.9 last year. The percentage of middle school students scoring at proficient levels in reading was 79.6 percent compared to 84.3 percent in 2013, while mathematics scores were 63.1 percent this spring and 72.2 last year.
The results of the final MSA administration speak directly to the important changes that have been taking place in Maryland classrooms. The change in sequence and instructional shifts to higher standards are most apparent in mathematics.
The percentage of students scoring at proficient levels in MSA science also was affected by changes in standards, as schools moved toward implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The percentage of elementary students scoring in the proficient range in science fell 2.8 percentage points between 2013 and 2014, while the percentage of students scoring at the proficient range in middle school science dipped 2.0 points.
The Maryland State Board of Education in 2013 adopted the NGSS, which are aligned with the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. School systems began implementing those new science standards this past school year, with full implementation by 2017-18. New assessments based on the NGSS are in development.
How the MSA Data Will Be Used
Federal law requires that states assess all students annually. While the MSA is an imperfect measure, there are no school improvement consequences due to Maryland’s No Child Left Behind waiver, and Maryland educators can use the final MSA data to help strengthen instruction, and pinpoint interventions for students.
“For example, if reading scores dipped 10 points at one school, but just two points at a neighboring school with similar student demographics, I’d want to know why,” said Dr. Jack Smith, MSDE’s Chief Academic Officer. “It also is important to dig behind the numbers and see how students in different subgroups performed. Assessment results should prompt questions and further discussions.”
Those questions and subsequent discussions will help educators as they prepare to better serve student learners in 2014-15, Dr. Smith added.
Maryland has been a national leader in accountability and has strengthened standards before. The State launched the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) in 1991, which first provided State assessment data disaggregated by race and special services, such as English language learner and special education. That program was succeeded by the MSA in 2003, which included individual student scores. The PARCC test next year will provide even more information that educators and parents can use to help boost student performance.
Transition to New Standards and the PARCC Assessment
Maryland adopted the Common Core State Standards in 2010 and MSDE provided all 24 county school systems with a new State curriculum framework for the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards based on the Common Core. MSDE also held three years of summer training sessions for Maryland teachers and principals, before fully implementing the new standards this past school year. To continue supporting schools, MSDE staff and teams of master teachers worked with every county school system to continue improving implementation of the new standards. Hundreds of classroom educators, instructional leaders, administrators, and higher education representatives continue to assist State officials to support implementation of the new standards.
In addition, Maryland schools took part in the PARCC field test this spring, with at least one class in nearly every school taking part. The new tests, under development by Maryland and 14 other states plus the District of Columbia for the past five years, measure the critical content and skills embedded in the new standards.
More than 40,000 students in Maryland participated in one of the two PARCC assessments that were field tested – 21,090 in English and 18,887 in mathematics.
The new standards increase rigor and complexity, building for students a foundation for success in the rapidly changing 21st century economy.
The PARCC assessments were built to measure a full continuum of student abilities, including the performance of high- and low-performing students. The new assessments will test writing skills at every grade level, as well as critical thinking and problem solving skills in an in-depth manner.
In addition, the PARCC exams are computer-based, which will allow for timely snapshots of student knowledge that provide parents and students with richer information about performance, and give educators the opportunity to adjust instruction to better support learning.
Strong History of Improvement
The State witnessed dramatic improvements in student achievement statewide during the lifespan of the Maryland School Assessment.
Since 2003, there has been a 22.3 percentage point gain in elementary reading – from 62 to 84.3 percent proficient; a 15.8 percentage point gain in elementary mathematics – from 60 to 75.8 percent proficient; a 19.7 percentage point gain in middle school reading – from 59.9 to 79.6 percent proficient; and a 23.5 percentage point gain in middle school mathematics – from 39.6 to 63.1 percent proficient.
Complete Results
Complete results for the final administration of the Maryland School Assessment will be available at 12 noon today at www.MdReportCard.org.
Below are links to test results over the lifespan of MSA for each Harford County elementary and middle school. Click the link for your school, then scroll over “Select Your Results” in the upper left corner to select results by grade level for the tested subjects.
Abingdon Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0123:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Bakerfield Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0212:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Bel Air Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0314:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Church Creek Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0125:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Churchville Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0316:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Darlington Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0518:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Deerfield Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0120:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Dublin Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0522:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Edgewood Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0522:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Emmorton Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0121:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Forest Hill Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0326:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Forest Lakes Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0328:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Fountain Green Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0327:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
George Lisby Elementary at Hillsdale: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0211:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Halls Crossroads Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0211:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Havre de Grace Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0632:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Hickory Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0333:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Homestead/Wakefield Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0335:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Jarrettsville Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0436:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Joppatowne Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0436:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Magnolia Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0131:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Meadowvale Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0638:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Norrisville Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0441:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
North Bend Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0447:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
North Harford Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0544:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Prospect Mill Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0329:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Red Pump Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0349:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Ring Factory Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0345:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Riverside Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0143:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
Roye-Williams Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0639:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0140:3:N:0:13:2:2:0:1:1:1:3
William S. James Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0113:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Youth’s Benefit Elementary: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:3:12:0348:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Aberdeen Middle School: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0265:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Bel Air Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0372:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Edgewood Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0177:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Fallston Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0386:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Havre de Grace Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0679:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Magnolia Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0184:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
North Harford Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0583:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Patterson Mill Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0188:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Southampton Middle: http://www.mdreportcard.org/MsaTrends.aspx?PV=1:6:12:0374:3:N:0:13:1:2:0:1:1:1:3
Well…at least things are (somewhat) turning around at Magnolia Middle w/ these scores. A slight increase. Better then nothing.
Can’t wait for all the comments from complaining teachers who didn’t get a raise.
Gee drop in two years, Burbey at the helm pushing collectivist garbage same time. Coincidence? I think not.
Scores,
Not sure, but I believe these tests are general applied knowledge in the subject. Common Core is a different path that supposedly leads to the same, or better, result: like the multiple math steps to get an answer versus the old two step process that demanded memorizing multiplication tables.
They can call this a transition dip or they can lower the difficulty of the tests – but they will never end Common Core, not in this state.
Talk about a shocker it must be current day college goofballs waving their bachelors degree around, starting jobs at less pay than people who just worked a trade right out of high school.
The whole “everybody goes to college” bit is hilarious, more of the same of politically correct last place grand prize trophy winners.
Here’s an education hack:
We took our child out of the public school system at high school. We dropped him off HCC every day and we picked the classes. While he was earning high school credits he was also earning college credits. He had his AA at 18 and graduated HS. He hung out with maturer kids that were there to learn. There was no bullying or high school BS. The professors liked to teach the kids. He got a 4.0 and a full scholarship to an out of state college for his 4 year degree..
It was a win-win.
The kicker was a teacher in middle school suggested we do this. “Get him out of the public school system” she said.
Maybe not for all kids, but we have no regrets!
Why did the state give a test that didn’t matter. As schools moved to teaching the Common Core, the MSA’s were no longer measuring what was being taught in classes. It was a waste of time. It seems the state spends too much time on testing.
Last year middle schools took the MSA Reading and Math Test, MSA Science in 8th Grade, High School Assessment in Algebra, PARCC assessments, Scholastic Reading Inventory – 2 to 3 times, Scholastic Math Inventory 2-3 times as well as the regular testing in classes.
Federal LAw
If you are a Harford County parent with half a brain cell, the best thing you can do is pull your child(s) from Public school and go into Private Education for the time being. A more meaningful, less bureaucracy, better teachers, and frankly, more common sense.
The declining enrollment in public schools here should show some people that value good education over dysfunction.
Private Schools have been experiencing declining enrollment too. The decline is because the population of school age children is dipping.
I love going to the MIAA schools and seeing the wall of where their graduates are going to college…the same schools that many of the public school kids are going. Some MIAA grads even go to HCC (nothing wrong with that at all), but was it worth 15k a year?
The comment that parents with 1/2 brain cell should take their children out of public school is offensive to parents who do not have the money to even consider it. I needed to save my money for my kids college costs, trade school costs, or even to start their own business. Just as college is not for everyone, private schools are not for everyone. Many schools have a Hall of Fame for their graduates. Take a look at who is in these halls and you will possibly be surprised and impressed, no matter which school you visit. Each critic can choose to blame a child’s struggles on the school, the school system, the teachers, the test, the students, the parents, or the community. My two children graduated a Harford County Public school. They have both good and bad memories, but they also have a high school diploma and two college diplomas each. The money I would have spent on private school was used to pay for that. It was a wise decision for us.
I’m glad my taxes paid for your children’s public school education. It’s to bad people like you don’t consider the cost of having children before pumping them out like puppies for the rest of us to support.
Citizen, who cares? You got trolled, and you typed up a wall of text to “prove your point.” The Donkey goes “HEEE HAW”
BillH: Two children is pumping them out like puppies? I don’t understand your comment. Also, my taxes paid for my children’s education and continues to pay for others. I know that I have paid more in local taxes since I have lived in Harford County than their education cost. Also, realistically, your taxes paid a pittance toward each of the several thousand students in the county, so very little of your money went to my children. If it did, it was money well spent. Please, do not be so eager to be insulting.
More for BillH: furthermore, if your taxes are typical, they will be plus or minus $3,000 per year.. IF all of it went to education, which it doesn’t, you would have contributed approximately 17 cents each year to each of my children. If you are going to take credit for paying for my kid’s education, don’t brag about 17 cents. Cheapskate.
50% of real estate taxes goes for your indigent children’s public funded education you had no intention of paying for.
Perhaps if you had been more involved in their education they could have qualified for scholarships….. but you didn’t did you.
BillH: So only 50% of your tax money goes toward the over 17,000 public school students. That is less than 10 cents per child and you are still bragging? Since you brought it up, yes, my children did get scholarships and it was a lot more than 10 cents a year. I realize, Bill, that you prefer insult to intelligence and the Dagger is willing to leave your comments on their site until 10 or more people say they dislike it. For me, that is too low a standard for what I hoped would be reasonable public discourse, therefore I am removing the Dagger from my bookmarks and do not plan to read it any longer. Unfortunately, I will not be able to see your next witless posting. Obviously, education was wasted on you, whether it was from a public or private school. Since I won’t be reading your comments, you can tell your thoughts to your friends, should you ever get any.
Apparently you too are the product of a public school education. Did you sleep thru math class?
The foreign aid we give to Hamas is only .000000001 cent per person in the US. So, I guess we shouldn’t care – and, the money we give to Honduras is less than a cent per person, so why should we care that they are dumping their young male criminals in our country.
Hey, less than a penny here, less than a penny there. Be happy, don’t worry.
@correct,
there you go again with your criminal characterizations of people doing all types of menial jobs that Americans are unwilling to do.
Proffy,
Let me see, over 90 million working age citizens have fallen out of the workforce – with millions more collecting unemployment. Of those black males seeking work, almost 13% are unemployed. I say there are no jobs available – while minorities are suffering the most.
You say our citizens are too lazy to take menial jobs. When you consider that black males are the most unemployed, I say there is more than a hint of racism in your assessment.
Nonetheless, I am not sure how you turned a school testing thread, with a comment about funding, into another non-citizen criminal comment.
Ahh, Citizen. There you are again. I know you’re really coming back to read more, like everyone always does and lies about it.
You find the half a brain cell comment offensive? I find you calling someone a cheapskate, and having no friends offensive. I bet you’re a terrible parent.
What is that big thing swinging underneath that donkey? Do they have 5 legs or what? HEE HAW
I never came back and you can’t prove I did even though I didn’t.
You gotta’ wonder how many teachers cautiously recommend the parents of a scholastic struggling student to come to their restaurant, and emphasis on the word “cash tips.”
Students aren’t the only ones bolting public school in Harco. Good teachers from all levels of public schools are leaving Harford county to go elsewhere, and this will only continue right up to the start of school. We are the minor leagues of public education in the state of Maryland. The schools and kids suffer because of continued bad decisions. Who is to blame for this?
Reality,
And is that a problem, assuming HCPS maintains passing test scores?