Six Carroll County high schools, including South Carroll and Westminster, were recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education for high scores on the 2005 High School Assessments.
Students are tested in four core subjects: English, biology, algebra and government. The English and algebra tests are used to fulfill testing requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
The 2005 scores were the last year of practice tests before the scores will count toward graduation.
Sherri-Le Bream, director of high schools, said officials are waiting for the 2006 scores, which are the first to count toward graduation requirements, but that the 2005 scores show the schools are on the right track.
“It?s significant because it shows that it seems like we are doing well,” Bream said.
Greg Bricca, director of research and accountability, said the HSA is important for future classes because students have to pass them to graduate. He said he was unclear on the criteria for recognition, but these schools scored high on the tests.
The more students take the test, the more teachers can fine-tune lesson plans and align curriculum with the test, Bream said. The scores allow officials to see exactly what areas need improvement.
These high schools, which also include Century, Liberty, North Carroll and Winters Mill, Bream said, showed continued improvement as well as high scores.
AT A GLANCE
Percent of students passing the HSA in 2005
South Carroll High School
» English 2: 72.7 percent
» Biology: 77.3 percent
» Government: 83.7 percent
» Algebra: 58.1 percent
Westminster High School
» English 2: 69 percent
» Biology: 80.4 percent
» Government: 83.4 percent
» Algebra: 57 percent
? Source: Maryland Department of Education
