Maryland Students Show Gains on Statewide Assessments in English Language Arts and Math

According to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the latest results from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) indicate a positive trend in student performance, with notable increases in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics proficiency. The 2024-25 school year assessments show continued recovery from pandemic-related disruptions, marking the third consecutive year of observed performance growth.

The complete findings for the 2024-25 academic year were unveiled during a recent State Board of Education meeting. These assessments, administered to students in grades 3-8 and once in high school, are designed to measure mastery of state content standards. The results are a crucial indicator of student progress and the effectiveness of resources provided for remediation and enrichment. Overall, proficiency rates have climbed by 5.5 percentage points since the 2021-22 school year. English Language Arts proficiency has reached 50.8 percent, an increase from 48.4 percent in the previous year and 45.3 percent in the 2021-22 school year. Mathematics proficiency has also seen an upward trend, reaching 26.5 percent compared to 24.1 percent last year and 21.0 percent in the 2021-22 academic year.

Specific demographic data reveals encouraging progress for various student groups. Black/African American students demonstrated a 3.2 percentage point increase in ELA proficiency, reaching 39.4 percent. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds saw an improvement of 3.4 percentage points in ELA, achieving a proficiency rate of 34.5 percent. While nearly all student groups experienced slight gains in mathematics, achievement gaps persist. Multilingual students, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities continue to show lower proficiency rates compared to their peers in both ELA and mathematics. These disparities underscore the ongoing need for targeted support and interventions.

In response to these trends and to further support student success, MSDE has recently updated state standards for English Language Arts and mathematics for the first time in 15 years. The department is committed to providing enhanced resources for educators and students, including professional learning opportunities and the identification of high-quality instructional materials. Additionally, guides and resources for parents are being developed to help them support their children’s academic progress at home. The MCAP assessments categorize student performance into four levels: Beginning Learner, Developing Learner, Proficient Learner, and Distinguished Learner, with both proficient and distinguished learners considered proficient. Detailed data at the state, school system, and individual school levels will be accessible on the Maryland Report Card website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland State Department of Education.

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