Charles County reports MCAP gains, expands AP enrollment and doubles AP test participation

Charles County Public Schools officials presented district assessment results and curricular responses to the Board of Education on Sept. 9, saying assessment participation and some proficiency measures rose in 2024–25 and describing steps the district will take to track and support students.

Superintendent Dr. Maria Navarro told the board the 2025–26 school year was “well underway” and that the district “continue[s] to support more than 27,000 students daily.” She highlighted increases in state Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) participation and proficiency in grades 3–8 and in high-school mathematics courses taken by middle-school students, and said the system will continue “to track and monitor student progress and provide resources to help all students move towards proficiency.”

Why it matters: MCAP and related diagnostics are central to the district’s strategic plan focus on student achievement. Board members pressed staff for details about how the district will identify students who need extra help and how parents will be informed and engaged.

What officials showed and proposed

Kevin Lowndes, chief of teaching and learning, led a data presentation with Steve Roberts, director of accountability, and content specialists. Roberts summarized year-to-year trends in MCAP results and explained the district’s breakouts for elementary, middle and high school assessments. He noted that…