Practice tests used to prepare students for the High School Assessments have helped increase the majority of scores in Anne Arundel high schools.
Overall countywide, 69.7 percent of students passed algebra, up from 68.8 percent last year; 74.9 percent passed biology, up from 71.5 percent last year; and 75.4 percent passed English, up from 62 percent last year. However in government, 84.4 percent of students passed this year, down from 86.4 percent last year.
Out of all the schools, Severna Park High ranked the highest in algebra, biology and English with South River and Broadneck highs scoring better in government.
“Severna Park is lucky, and we?re blessed,” said Bruce Blackman, chairman of the school?s English department.
“We have students that come in who are serious about learning and have a mind-set to succeed.”
He credited the benchmarks that allowed teachers to analyze students on specific questions in practice tests and work on problem areas before taking the HSAs.
Meade High Principal Daryl Kennedy attributed improved scores at his school to the benchmarks as well as after-school clinics.
“It?s just a more focused way of working with students and addressing the problems they?re still struggling with,” Kennedy said.
“We are taking the students and looking at how they did on the benchmark assessments.”
Meade High had 11 percent more students pass the English test and 10 percent more pass the biology test.
Among its 11 county peers, Meade High ranked second to last in algebra and English, third to last in biology, and fourth to last in government.
In North County High, Principal Frank Drazan said the teachers have been using a math computer program to help identify problems with students so teachers can hone their instruction to work on these areas.
North County High jumped from 41.2 percent of students who passed algebra last year to 48 percent this year. In the 2006-07 school year, North County High ranked third to last in algebra.
Another key factor behind the overall improved scores is the change in students? perception of theassessment
“Knowing that they have to pass these to graduate is the key motivation,” said Anita Owens, president of the county?s Parent Teacher Association.
Starting with the class of 2009, students must pass the HSA.
