Baltimore City still lags the state overall in terms of the percentage of students passing the algebra, biology and government High School Assessment tests, but they did outpace their peers statewide in percentage gains on the algebra/data analysis, biology and government High School Assessment tests, according to results released Monday by the Maryland State Department of Education. “Our students can achieve at higher levels when given the right tools and opportunities,” said Board Chairman Brian Morris in a statement. “This confirms that our high school reforms are starting to demonstrate very positive impacts on student growth and learning.”
The Baltimore City Public School System noted in a news release that 36.8 percent of BCPSS students passed the algebra/data analysis HSA last year, with 15 percent more students passing than in 2005 (statewide 12.8 percent more students passed than the previous year). In biology, 47.9 percent of city students passed the HSA, an increase of 18.6 percent of students passing (statewide, 10.2 percent more students passed than last year. Similarly, 53.9 percent of city students passed the Government HSA, an increase of 12.2 percent (statewide, 7.8 percent more students passed).
“This is a wonderful accomplishment for our students, their families, our teachers and principals,” said interim Chief Executive Officer Charlene C. Boston.
Baltimore?s top high schools ? City College, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, the Baltimore School for the Arts and Western High School ? continue their tradition of excellence, testing with many pass rates in the 90th percentile.
Not including these schools, five schools with the highest passing rate on the algebra/data analysis HSA were: Chinquapin Middle, 97.2 percent; Baltimore Freedom Academy, 86.8 percent; Violetville Elementary/Middle, 86.7 percent; Paul Laurence Dunbar High, 86.2 percent; and West Baltimore Middle School, 86.0 percent.
The five schools with the highest passing rate on the Biology HSA were: New Era Academy, 67.3 percent; Digital Harbor High, 47.7 percent; Paul Laurence Dunbar High 47 percent; Patterson High, 36.2 percent; and Maritime Industries Academy, 35.1 percent.
The five schools with the highest passing rate on the government HSA were: Paul Laurence Dunbar High, 83.3 percent; New Era Academy, 67.9 percent; Merganthaler Vocational-Technical High, 65.3 percent; National Academy Foundation, 60.3 percent; and Edmondson-Westside High, 59.0 percent.
“The increase on the High School Assessment is a direct result of targeted curriculum and professional development reforms,” said Chief Academic Officer Linda Chinnia in a news release.
All four high schools targeted by the state for takeover Patterson had the strongest performance, increasing by 16.3 to 26.4 percent students passing in algebra/data analysis, increasing by 20.5 percent to 36.2 percent students passing in biology, and increasing by 15.2 percent to 46.6 percent students passing in Government.
