Anne Arundel elementary and middle school students are excelling at science now, but the real test will come next year when the scheduling for science courses changes in middle school.
Next year, students will take science and social studies for one semester each, rather than every other day throughout the school year, after a recent decision from Superintendent Kevin Maxwell.
“Teachers found that they would be more effective since it would give them less of a workload and fewer students,” said Rochelle Slutskin, the school system?s science coordinator, referring to the semester-long course load.
Results on the 2007 science component of the Maryland School Assessment show that the county?s fifth- and eighth-grade students are performing better than the state average.
“The key to [the high scores], however, lies in the delivery of instruction and not necessarily in how often that instruction is offered,” Maxwell said.
“Our students will continue to get the same amount of science and social studies instruction next year as they do this year.”
Benfield Elementary School in Severna Park had 96.3 percent of its students score at least proficiently on the test, which was the highest percent of students among both elementary and middle schools.
“We?re thrilled because this was the first time the test was administered, and it was all online,” Principal Terri Sacchetti said. “I?m proud of all my science teachers and not just for fifth grade.”
The lowest-scoring regular school was Freetown Elementary School in Glen Burnie, with only 32.1 percent of students proficient in science.
“Quite honestly, we had a lot of work to do,” Principal Shirley Moaney said.
In preparation for this year?s test being taken later this month, the school has added about 10 minutes more onto science instruction in third, fourth and fifth grade, she said.
The Anne Arundel County Council of PTAs? impromptu survey of how parents felt about the scheduling change indicated “most of the parents were fine with next year?s plan,” said Anita Owens, PTA president.
“Now how is this going to impact test scores, I don?t know.”
