The high-stakes test for ninth-graders went off without a hitch Tuesday.
That was the sentiment expressed by a handful of principals at various school districts throughout Maryland as students took the 150-minute basic algebra and data analysis test.
The exam is part of the Maryland High School Assessments, which are required for graduation beginning with the class of 2009, this year?s high school freshman.
“It was pretty normal here,” said Scott Pfeifer, principal at Centennial High School in Howard County. “We gave our students a mock test about six weeks ago, and based on the results, we gave some kids [tutoring] intervention during after-school sessions.”
At Annapolis High School in Anne Arundel County, students taking the test were “very businesslike,” said Principal Donald Lilley.
“In all of our classes, we?ve been having teachers help the kids, and some of them got one-on-one help,” Lilley said.
Drew Cockley, principal at Century High School in Carroll County, said he was looking forward to some more good news since nearly 100 percent of students who took the test in January passed the exam.
“We?re really excited about the way our students are handling the test,” he said.
Students at Baltimore City College took the test seriously, said Susan Legg, the school?s testing coordinator.
“It went very well,” she said.
Test scores from the exam will be available in August, and students who don?t pass it will have other chances to retake it, said Bill Reinhard, spokesman with the state Department of Education.
“This is a test developed by Maryland teachers based on a minimum of what students need to know in order to go to work or on to higher education,” he said.
Principals from schools in Baltimore and Harford counties could not be reached for comment.
At a glance
Maryland High School Assessment 2005 passing rates for algebra/data analysis
» Anne Arundel: 69.1 percent
» Baltimore City: 21.8 percent
» Baltimore County: 49.7 percent
» Carroll County: 74.6 percent
» Harford County: 65.2 percent
» Howard County: 74.3 percent
Source: 2005 Maryland Report Card at www.mdreportcard.org
