The perception of the High School Assessments is changing as Howard County test takers scored more than 80 percent overall in four subject areas, but some question its quality.

“I?m glad to see we have the highest scores [in the Baltimore region], but what does it really mean?” Howard PTA Council President Mary Jane Barbato-Grauso said. “I don?t believe it?s a relevant enough test to make it such a high-stakes test.”