Charles County students are steadily behind state averages in scores from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, with some grade levels having over double-digit differences in math preparedness.
Data from student Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program — more commonly known as MCAP — assessments for the 2023-2024 school year was released on Aug. 27 by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Across the state, students are showing slow growth in mathematics, English language arts and science assessments, a release from Charles County Public Schools said.
MCAP assessments measure students’ mastery of content and readiness for the next grade level.
The assessment is administered annually in English language arts, mathematics and science. Students in third grade through eighth grade and Grade 10 take the English language arts assessment. Students in grades three through eight and those taking Algebra I and Algebra II take a math MCAP. Additionally, students in fifth and eighth grade take a science MCAP, according to the release.
Charles County is behind state averages in every category, at every grade level tested.
MCAP assessments include four student performance levels: beginning learner, developing learner, proficient learner and distinguished learner. Both distinguished and proficient learners are considered proficient. MCAP data is reported as percent proficient and represents students who are considered prepared for the next grade level.
Data for Charles County Public Schools shows some gains for specific grade levels across English language arts and math but also identifies areas for continued targeted improvement.
For math assessments, proficiency gains were made in sixth grade, fifth grade and Algebra II takers over the reported 2023 scores. All other grade levels tested and Algebra I lost proficiency over the previous year.
The most proficient and next-grade-level ready were third graders at 29.7% proficiency, which was still well under the third-grade state average of 40%.
“While I am disappointed in our progress on state assessments, we continue to use other data points such as the i-Ready assessment to look at individualized student growth from the start of the school year through June,” Superintendent Maria V. Navarro said. “Teachers use this data to identify specific areas of focus to target interventions, supports, professional learning and other resources students need to learn and master content.”
Fifth and 10th-grade English assessment takers had a higher proficiency than 2023, while all other levels lost ground. Score differences between the state and the county for the English assessment were typically within 10%.
Students in 10th grader were the most proficient in English at 45.8% readiness, but still came in under the 55.3% state average.
“Statewide MCAP trends show slow growth among students. [Charles County Public Schools] is experiencing some of that slow growth as well as some declines. We will continue to focus our efforts on supporting all students in their learning,” Navarro said.
Navarro said local schools continue to target individual student needs to enhance learning.
Charles public school staff plan to provide an in-depth overview of MCAP assessments, 2023-2024 school year data and share the school system’s plans to continue targeting student learning and achievement at the Sept. 10 board of education meeting.
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