Scores jump for some lagging Md. schools

Some lagging schools are making massive leaps toward 100 percent proficiency on the Maryland School Assessment.

With the federal deadline halfway here, those schools are beginning to focus help on the students who need it most while separating out other students who are doing well. That strategy rebuts a usual criticism of No Child Left Behind ? which requires every student to earn a proficient score in reading and math by 2014 ? by boosting struggling students? scores while allowing advanced students to continue progressing.