UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students in third through fifth grades showed the most growth on the state’s Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests in English and Mathematics. English Language Arts (ELA) scores were stronger overall in PGCPS and throughout the state.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released system- and school-level results today for the third year of the PARCC exams.
“It is encouraging to see our youngest learners, who have been taught to higher standards the longest, showing the most growth,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer. “Our teachers and students continue to become familiar with the rigorous demands of the PARCC assessments as we prepare all students to enter college and the workplace. It is our priority to continue engaging parents and supporting students in meeting state standards.”
PGCPS has worked to boost achievement on the state assessments through regular, school-level “PARCC Nights” for families where teachers explain and work through sample exam questions. Schools will continue hosting “PARCC Nights” this year to offer resources and support. In addition, the PGCPS Family Institute, launched last year, will seek to increase participation and collaboration between families, schools and the larger community in further support of student achievement.
Overall, 25.9 percent of students in third through fifth grades met or exceeded expectations on the English Language Arts exam, a 2.5 percentage point increase over 2016 results. Results on the mathematics test showed a half-percentage point increase over last year to 20.7 percent.
Passing rates remained constant in English and Mathematics for sixth through eighth-grade students: 29.7 percent in English this year compared to 29.0 percent in 2016; and 13.0 percent in Mathematics compared to 13.5 percent in 2016.
Nearly all student demographic groups in elementary and middle grades experienced growth. Students in third through fifth-grades improved in both ELA (2.5 percent) and Mathematics (0.5 percent). Growth on the third through fifth-grade ELA exam was highest among Asian students with an 8.8 percentage point-increase from the previous year. ELA performance among African American students grew 3.1 percentage points since 2016, the second-highest increase system-wide. Improvements were seen in math among students of two or more races (4.2 percent), Asian students (1.8 percent) and African American students (1.0 percent). Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMS) eligible students improved in both ELA (1.4 percent) and Mathematics (0.2 percent).
In sixth through eighth grades, ELA passing rates improved slightly for White students (52.8 percent, up 1.1 percent), Asian students (59.6 percent, a 0.8 percent increase) and multiracial students (40.5 percent, up 0.4 percent). Passing rates for white students (34.7 percent) on the Mathematics exam increased one percentage point. Results for Asian students were unchanged at 38.3 percent meeting or exceeding proficiency targets.
PARCC performance at the high school level improved among students taking the Algebra II exam. In 2017, the percentage of Algebra II students who met or exceeded expectations increased 1.7 percentage points from the previous year.