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State Releases Performance Data for High Schools

October 25, 2006
Two MCPS High Schools Exit State's "School Improvement" List Leaving Only One School on the List

Two Montgomery County high schools, Gaithersburg and John F. Kennedy, moved off the state's list of schools needing improvement after making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the second consecutive year in all student categories, according to Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) testing data released Wednesday.

Only one high school, Montgomery Blair, remains on the State’s list of schools needing improvement. Blair failed to make AYP in one category—students receiving special education services. State testing results show that Blair missed making AYP by less than one student, according to the state’s formula.

Three high schools—Colonel Zadok Magruder, Northwest and Quince Orchard—missed the AYP targets in reading for special education students for the first time. In these cases, the schools missed the targets by three, seven and two students, respectively. The schools were identified for "Local Attention" meaning that the school system should monitor the schools’ improvement efforts in this area.

The results released Wednesday complete state reporting of AYP data for all comprehensive schools. In August, MSDE reported that only one of the 125 elementary schools (Watkins Mill) was on the "School Improvement" list. Most importantly, none of the 22 elementary schools most impacted by poverty (Title I) was on this list. Montgomery County Public Schools is perhaps the only large school district in America without a single Title I school on a state improvement list.

At the middle school level, 11of the 38 middle schools were placed on the "School Improvement" list. MCPS has undertaken a comprehensive effort to improve middle schools across the county.

Wednesday's report from the state also included results for students in special schools. These schools continue to be challenged by state-mandated requirements. Mark Twain School moved into "Corrective Action" status. Gateway to College, Longview School, Montgomery Evening High School, and the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA) are on the "School Improvement" list. Stephen Knolls was identified for local monitoring of its improvement efforts.

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