NEWARK — The Maryland State Department of Education released its annual update to the Maryland Report Card website this week, containing performance data for every school in the state, including 11 schools in Worcester County.
In Worcester County, 73 percent of eligible schools earned a four-star rating with the remaining earning three-star status. In this year’s release, which includes additional measures, only 37 percent of all schools in the state earned a four- or five-star rating. The state also identified a significant decrease in the number of schools that earned five-star status from the prior year’s report. In 2021-2022 data, 212 schools in Maryland earned five-star status, and in the latest release of 2022-2023 data, only 81 schools in the State earned five-star status.
In looking at specific metrics that comprise the ratings, all schools in Worcester saw strong performance in academic achievement indicators, which directly aligns with the school system’s success on state assessments. In light of Worcester’s already strong performance on state assessments, indicators related to student growth progress negatively impacted some school’s earned points. Additionally, minimal increases in student chronic absenteeism contributed to some schools’ lower earned points.
To receive a star rating, a school must have 45 or more possible points. Some schools may not have possible points for every measure or indicator. In Worcester County, Snow Hill Elementary School did not reach this possible point threshold, which is why the school was not issued a star rating. Additionally, Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special Schools do not meet the qualifications for a star rating.
These scores reflect school performance on multiple components. For elementary and middle schools, the system includes academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency, and measures of school quality and student success. For high schools, the system includes academic achievement, graduation rate, progress in English language proficiency, readiness for postsecondary success, and measures of school quality and student success. All schools’ calculations incorporate school composite scores on a statewide School Survey, which is based on input related to safety, community, environment, and relationships.
Yay! Worcester sucks the least! Common Core, anyone?
66% out of a possible 98.5% is usually considered borderline passing. “D” at best. but these highly educated fools are telling us it’s 4 stars which equals a “B”!
how stupid the public/parents must be to buy this bs! no hope for the kids if the parents are that stupid!
go figure!