Maryland school report cards show math gains but low reading scores
Montgomery and Prince George's counties saw score increases in recent years, yet fewer than half of students in many grade levels met proficiency standards.
By Isaac Medina ·
Statewide test results released on Thursday showed that English and math scores rose in several major school districts around Washington, D.C. However, the data revealed that a large portion of students still did not reach grade-level proficiency.
In Montgomery County, the percentage of middle school students proficient in math climbed to 32 percent. This figure represents an increase from 27 percent in 2023 and 29 percent in 2024. Despite this three-year upward trend, only roughly one in three middle schoolers in the district met the standard.
Elementary and high school students in Montgomery County performed better in math. Forty-seven percent of elementary students and 44 percent of high school students were at grade level. Thomas Taylor, the district superintendent, acknowledged the remaining gap during a celebration event for the results.
"We are far from closing achievement gaps in Montgomery County," Taylor said. "I want to acknowledge there's a ton of work we need to do. But it's important to recognize progress when it's happening."
Prince George's County schools also reported higher numbers compared to the previous year. Last year, math proficiency stood at 19 percent for elementary students, 12 percent for middle schoolers, and 16 percent for high schoolers. Across the district, fewer than half of all students were proficient in English.
Liz Cohen, a parent and employee at the educational policy nonprofit 50CAN, pointed to chronic absenteeism and high screen time as major obstacles. She noted a divide in student habits. "The kids who are getting Cs and Ds are doing almost nothing, and they're on their phones a lot," Cohen said. She added that students with higher grades tend to participate in sports, clubs, and volunteer work.
Frederick County schools showed English and math proficiency rates ranging from 33 percent to 74 percent. Charles County schools reported rates between 17 percent and 47 percent. The four local school systems did not respond to interview requests from News4 on Thursday.
