New data released today [Wednesday, November 1] by the Montgomery County Public Schools provide strong evidence of academic progress among elementary and secondary students, underscoring the impact of successful instructional strategies by teachers and principals. The data include national test results, local test results, and student participation in rigorous middle school and high school courses.

The data show that the average elementary and middle school student is scoring well above the national norms in reading, mathematics, and language. Students are achieving record proficiency levels on local elementary and middle school standards in reading and mathematics. The highest percentage of students ever is passing Algebra 1 in both Grade 8 and 9, and the highest number of students ever is taking honors and advanced placement courses. All of the data also show continued gains by race and ethnicity.

Summary of the Academic Trends

* The first administration of the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS), a national test now required by the state, produced results last spring well above the national average, with students in Grade 2 scoring at the 64th percentile in reading, 68th percentile in language, and 70th percentile in math. Students in Grade 4 scored at the 75th percentile in reading, 74th percentile in language, and 78th percentile in math. Students in Grade 6 scored at the 70th percentile in reading, 70th percentile in language, and 77th percentile in math.

* The highest percentage of students ever in Grades 3-8 achieved proficiency last spring on the local Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRTs) in mathematics and reading. Students achieved the highest average math proficiency (61%) since 1997, up two points. The percentage of students meeting standards in math improved overall for all racial and ethnic groups. In reading, the highest average reading proficiency (71%) since 1994 was achieved, tied with 1998, up one point. The percentage meeting standards in reading improved for all racial and ethnic groups, except Hispanics at the elementary grades.

* The highest percentage of eighth graders since 1995 passed Algebra 1 or a higher math course (41%) last year. This included the highest percentage for African American students (17%), Hispanic students (14%), Asian students (62%), and white students (52%) passing these courses in eighth grade.

* The highest percentage of ninth graders since 1990 passed Algebra 1 or a higher math course (79%) last year. This included the highest percentage for African American students (63%), Hispanic students (32%), Asian students (70%), and white students (66%) passing the course in ninth grade. The significant increase in the percentage of African American students passing these courses had the effect of closing the gap with white students by 10.6 percentage points to 26.3 percentage points, the smallest the gap has ever been.

* The highest percentage of students since 1990 were enrolled last year in honors and AP courses (56%). This achievement included the highest percentage for African American students (32%), Asian students (70%), and white students (66%), and second highest for Hispanic students (32%).

Copies of two of the the summary reports to the Board of Education can be found at the web sites below. The third link can be accessed at http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/info/press/CRTreport.pdf