Howard County?s high scores on the pilot science component of the Maryland School Assessment indicate students are prepared for more advanced science, said School Board Member Ellen Flynn Giles.
“I?m thrilled to death, and especially since it?s a cumulative test and covering three years worth of content,” she said.
Fifth-graders were tested on material from third through fifth grade and for eighth-graders, their entire middle school science curriculum, said school system spokeswoman Patti Caplan.
This is the first year science has been tested on the MSA, said Theresa Alban, executive director of strategic planning, assessment and program evaluation for the school system. The MSA consists of reading and math sections.
The science test was administered in April 2007, and scores from individual schools were released at this week?s school board meeting.
Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School in Ellicott City had the highest percent of fifth-graders score at least proficiently: 95.7 percent. Out of 70 students taking the test, three were not proficient.
“The one thing we try to do is make sure science is part of the curriculum,” said Principal Susan Webster. “There are so many things that can take away from science and social studies.”
The county, by providing science kits that include materials students need to perform experiments and homework assignments, has made it easier for schools to thrive, she said.
The lowest scorer was Cradlerock School in Columbia with 42.5 percent of fifth-graders and 64.7 percent of eight-graders scoring proficiently.
Of the 73 fifth-graders, 42 were not proficient.
Of the 153 eighth-graders, 54 were not proficient.
Jason McCoy, principal of the school with kindergarten through eighth grade, could not be reached for comment.
AHEAD OF THE PACK
Howard?s fifth- and eighth-graders far surpassed the state average on the science component of last year?s Maryland School Assessment. The numbers are percentages of students who scored proficient or advanced:
Fifth grade 78 percent 59.8 percent
Eighth grade 82.8 percent 61.4 percent
Click here for a school-by-school breakdown.
Anne Arundel school system spokesman Bob Mosier said the release of that district?s scores has not been determined.
Source: Howard County Public School System
