PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate release

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Linda Dudderar, Chief Academic Officer, 301-475-5511, ext 108

ALL SMCPS Elementary Schools Make AYP

 LEONARDTOWN, – The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) information for the 2008-2009 school year.  AYP measures student performance in reading and mathematics.  Each year, MSDE sets AYP targets which school systems must achieve for all populations of students, including minorities, special education, poverty, and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students.  The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) expects all students to meet 100 percent proficiency by 2014. “It gets more difficult for our schools and systems to reach the steadily rising targets, but aiming higher is what our educators have been committed to do,” stated Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State superintendent of schools. “Only with unwavering focus on improving instruction can we prepare students for the world that awaits them.”

St. Mary’s County Public Schools is pleased to report that all elementary schools in the school system have made AYP.  “Our elementary schools’ performance continues to demonstrate the impact that such initiatives as all-day kindergarten, a robust assessment system, and an aligned curriculum can have on student achievement,” stated Dr. Michael J. Martirano , superintendent of schools. “Our partnerships with our community, committed parent groups, and dedicated teachers make sure that our students develop the skills to be successful – and these test results show this.”

At the middle school level, Esperanza Middle School (EMS) made AYP for the 2009 school year with all disaggregated student groups scoring in the confidence interval.

Although three of our middle schools did not make AYP, there is significant growth at all grade levels in the area of mathematics, and in grades 6 and 8 in the area of reading.  Spring Ridge Middle School (SRMS), Leonardtown Middle School (LMS), and Margaret Brent Middle School (MBMS) did not achieve the annual measurable objective (AMO) of 75.9 percent in reading or 64.3 percent in mathematics for students receiving special educational services, and therefore, did not make AYP.  In addition, African American and economically disadvantaged students at SRMS did not meet the AMO for reading. 

“I am extremely proud of our middle school teachers and the progress that our students have made,” stated Dr. Martirano. “I am confident that our teachers and administrators know what needs to be done to continue to deliver a solid instructional program that meets the needs of all learners.”

  For 2010, the AMO climbs to 80.8 percent for reading and 71.4 percent for mathematics. By 2014, 100 percent of   students in all student groups must be proficient in math and reading as evaluated by the Maryland School Assessments.