BALTIMORE (AP/WBOC)- Fewer than half of Maryland elementary and middle school students can pass tough new standardized tests and school officials are blaming a teaching and testing standards overhaul in recent years.
The results announced Tuesday show that teachers and students haven't adjusted to the higher expectations of the new Partnership for Assessments of Career and College Readiness.
Nearly 40 percent of students in grades three through eight failed to meet the standard set for reading and only 30 percent met the standard in math. Maryland's school board can adjust the standard if members believe it is too high.
In a statement, Interim State Schools Superintendent Jack Smith said, "These initial results provide a new springboard for Maryland students, as we continue our work to better prepare them for what lies ahead. We have set the bar high, and this data reflects that. These results should be viewed in combination with other measures when assessing student progress.”
