District Remains Among Top Performers in State
Frederick, MD – FCPS students outperformed the state average by 11 to 16 points in English/Language Arts, 4 to 15 points in Math, and 7 to 8 points in Science at different grade levels, according to the 2024 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results for English/Language Arts, Math, and Science.
The results, released by the Maryland State Department of Education August 27, showed that FCPS consistently ranked in the top quartile among Maryland districts.
“We are pleased that we continue to see our students improve in most grades in math and ELA while nationally the general trend has been a slow or nonexistent recovery since the pandemic,” said Dr. Frank Vetter, Director of Assessment, Data Reporting, & Strategic Improvement.
New State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright formed a workgroup to examine the state accountability model, including assessments and curriculum standards. “We are eager to see the results of that work and whether or not we are assessing what students learn in their classes in the best possible way,” according to Dr. Vetter.
Current MCAP tests had new baselines established in the 2022-2023 school year, so only two years of comparable assessment data exist.
Some highlights:
Elementary School Results
60 percent of test-takers achieved a proficient or distinguished score on the ELA assessment – a 2.5 percentage point increase from 2022-2023.
Middle School Results
60 percent of test-takers achieved a proficient or distinguished score on the ELA assessment – a 2.5 percentage point increase from 2022-2023.
High School Results
70 percent of first-time test takers scored proficient or distinguished on the English 10 assessment.
“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements, which reflect their hard work and the dedication of our educators.” FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson, shared in response to the recent MCAP results. “Outperforming the state average across multiple subjects is a testament to the strength of our educational programs and the commitment to excellence in FCPS. As we continue to address achievement gaps and strive for equity, we remain focused on using both local and state assessments to guide our efforts and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
A substantial percentage of students scored just below the proficiency score cutoff and are considered on the cusp of proficiency on many assessments. FCPS, like districts across the state, are facing achievement gaps for students receiving special services, including those with special needs, multilingual students, and students who receive free or reduced meals. However, performance for most student groups improved on most assessments.
“Accountability in FCPS is critical to ensure successful outcomes for our students,” said Dr. Jamie Aliveto, Chief of Schools and Accountability. “While we value the information provided by our state assessments, we also monitor other local, valid and reliable, assessment measures. Further, we value the additional insights from our teachers. This collective knowledge helps us ensure our students are moving in a positive direction on their learning journey.”
More information about the FCPS Learning Journey is available online.