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District reports progress on Grade‑9 'on‑track' and outlines MTSS and career supports
Summary
HCPSS staff told the board they saw improvements in Grade‑9 on‑track measures and described a multi‑tiered approach—career readiness advisors, MTSS tools, and expanded postsecondary pathways—aimed at narrowing racial and service‑group disparities. Board members pressed staff on outcomes for students with IEPs, attendance effects and earlier interventions.
District staff presented the MSDE College and Career Readiness (CCR) district implementation report at the April 30 board meeting, outlining work to strengthen Grade‑9 on‑track indicators and to expand postsecondary pathways. Diane Morris, executive director of secondary schools (speaker 34), described three key strategies: improved tier‑1 instruction, targeted tier‑2 supports led by career readiness advisors, and tier‑3 interventions for students without post‑high‑school plans.
Staff said 77 percent of 2025 Grade‑9 students met the Grade‑9 'on‑track' criteria in 2024‑25 and that 67 percent met some CCR benchmarks by Grade 10; they also noted persistent disparities, with Black/African‑American and Hispanic/Latino students meeting on‑track and CCR measures at lower rates than peers, though some improvements were recorded compared with prior years. Presenters outlined data‑driven interventions, use of MTSS and collaboration with Howard Community College and workforce partners to deliver tier‑3 supports such as apprenticeships and dual‑enrollment options.
During Q&A, board members asked about: comparisons with neighboring counties, durability of improvements for students receiving supports (do Grade‑9 supports carry into Grade‑10?), and how students with IEPs are included in CCR pathways. Staff said the system is embedding CCR monitoring into quarterly school improvement visits, tracking Naviance completion and expanding career‑connected assessments. Staff acknowledged attendance is a key challenge in Grade 9 and said MTSS structures and earlier outreach (elementary/middle grades) aim to catch students sooner.
No formal action was taken at the meeting. Staff said they will continue implementing MTSS, expand career readiness advisor work and present more granular examples to the board off‑line.
