Maryland releases 2023-2024 school report card showing improved star ratings

The Maryland State Board of Education convened on December 3, 2024, to discuss the latest Maryland Report Card results, revealing significant insights into school performance across the state. Mr. Sanderson presented the findings, highlighting that 41% of schools earned a 4 or 5-star rating, indicating a positive trend in educational outcomes.

The report card evaluates schools based on a comprehensive accountability system that assigns points across various indicators, including academic achievement and student progress. Notably, 83% of schools achieved a rating of 3 stars or higher, a slight increase from the previous year. The data shows that 91 schools received the highest rating of 5 stars, with a majority being elementary schools.

However, the report also underscored disparities in performance among different student demographics. On average, Black, African American, and Hispanic students scored lower than their white peers, raising concerns about equity in educational outcomes. Additionally, multilingual, economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities also earned fewer points compared to the overall student population.

The meeting included discussions on the implications of these findings. Board members expressed interest in understanding the specific circumstances of schools that improved their ratings significantly. There was a consensus on the need for a more nuanced accountability system that recognizes incremental growth within star ratings, as many schools may show progress without changing their overall rating.

The Maryland State Board of Education emphasized the importance of making this data accessible to the public, allowing community members to track their schools' performance. The agency's website now features detailed information at the school, local education agency, and state levels, enhancing transparency and community engagement.

As the board continues to address educational challenges, the focus remains on fostering growth and equity within Maryland's schools, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed. The next steps will involve further analysis of the data and exploring strategies to support schools in their improvement efforts.