Talbot Scores Improve Slightly But Placement Among Counties Is Stagnant
At their meeting on Tuesday, the Maryland State Board of Education shared the statewide scores of the 2023-2024 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program. While the board discussed modest improvements, it’s clear the state’s school systems have a long way to go before they can proclaim that students are gaining academically.
In Math, the Statewide average was 24.1 percent of students proficient, a gain from 23.3 last year. Talbot County was at 18.3 percent proficient, placing them 7th from the lowest in the State. Somerset claimed the bottom at 9.8%. Howard was at the top with a meager 41.1% proficient, indicating that math scores are poor throughout the state.
The scores in English/Language Arts were better overall, with the top scoring county Worchester at 69.4%. Bottom was Baltimore City with 27.7%. Talbot was in the middle of the counties with 47.3%, up from last year but still at more than 50% of student not proficient.
State Superintendent Carey Wright commented on the scores saying, “It is clear that we must accelerate gains urgently for students across Maryland. ”
In a meeting last night, Talbot Superintendent Sharon Pepukayi explained strategies the system has implemented to boost student achievement. These strategies include the purchase of a new Math series, teacher mentors to help teachers hone their math teaching skills, tutoring for students, the continuation of The Science of Reading, and mentors for new teachers.
Talbot County officials will release their county scores on September 18 at their regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Jan Greenhawk, Author
