December 13, 2023, Staff and Community Update: MSDE Releases 2023 Maryland School Report Card
Dear Team BCPS Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students -
Today, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released new accountability information for each public school system in the state, including the Star ratings for individual schools. These new Star Ratings are calculated using 2022–2023 school year accountability data. Since 2017–2018, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has reported on accountability components outlined in the Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan which evaluates school systems and individual schools on a set of criteria.
The U.S. Department of Education granted Maryland waivers from the accountability requirements for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years and the assessment requirements for the 2019-2020 school year due to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public school systems and student learning. The 2021-2022 school year was the first time that MD Report Card was updated with new accountability information since the 2018-2019 school year. The 2022-2023 report cards, which will serve as a baseline for future report cards, return to the full assessment method outlined in the state’s ESSA plan, and, new this year, include a Grade 8 social studies assessment measure in the Academic Progress indicator for middle schools.
At the elementary and middle school level, schools are assessed on academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency, and school quality and student success. High schools are assessed on academic achievement, graduation rate, progress in achieving English language proficiency, readiness for post-secondary success, and school quality and student success. Pre-pandemic calculations for chronic absenteeism and academic growth are also factored in the 2022-2023 school rankings. Due to the difference in calculating results, it is important to note that equal comparisons cannot be made between the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school year results.
Image Source: Maryland State Department of Education
Out of 161 BCPS schools with accountability data as outlined by MSDE -
- 19 schools earned a Star Rating of 5
- 28 schools earned a Star Rating of 4
- 70 schools earned a Star Rating of 3
- 42 schools earned a Star Rating of 2
- 2 schools earned a Star Rating of 1
The overall BCPS 2023 Star Rating average is 3.1, which is 0.1 points less than our 2022 Star average of 3.2. Schools across the state saw a decrease in ratings and Interim Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright shared that the chronic absenteeism metric had a significant impact on school ratings across the state. Recognizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student attendance, BCPS launched a comprehensive plan to combat chronic absenteeism, empower students and families, and reduce barriers to school attendance. Of the 110 elementary schools* that received a 2023 Star Rating, 16 increased their ratings by one star. Twenty-three elementary schools have 2023 Star Ratings that are one star lower than their 2022 Star Ratings. The majority of BCPS elementary schools (70) have 2023 Star Ratings that are the same as their 2022 Star Ratings.
Of the 27 middle schools that received a 2023 Star Rating, two increased their rating by one star. The majority of BCPS middle schools (20) have 2023 Star Ratings that are the same as their 2022 Star Ratings. Five middle schools have 2023 Star Ratings that are one star lower than their 2022 Star Ratings.
Of the 24 high schools that received a 2023 Star Rating, eight schools have 2023 Star Ratings that are one star lower than their 2022 Star Ratings. The majority of BCPS high schools (16) have 2023 Star Ratings that are the same as their 2022 Star Ratings.
BCPS centers and programs are not included in the results as they do not qualify for Star Ratings.
The Maryland School Report Card continues to provide valuable insights about our schools, however, it is important to understand that it provides a limited view of the work of the system to serve all 110,000 BCPS students. We use multiple and frequent measures of students’ progress to determine if our schools are meeting the needs of all students, and we have a comprehensive strategy for student success that is centered on increasing achievement for all students and providing a variety of pathways to prepare students for college and careers. We have implemented targeted resources and supports for school leadership teams to help them understand and interpret these results and refine their improvement plans. Staff from the Department of Schools, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, Office of Student Support Services, Department of Research, Accountability and Assessment, and the Office of Family and Community Engagement continue to work directly with school teams to address academic growth and chronic absenteeism. We recently reviewed data from the first quarter and are encouraged by the results and by the continued commitment of our school administrators, teachers, and staff to do the necessary work to reverse the trend of declining academic performance.
Working together, we will build upon our shared vision that BCPS can and will be among the highest performing school systems in the nation.
In Partnership,
Myriam Rogers
Superintendent
Resources
2023 Maryland School Report Card
Maryland Report Card User Guide
Report Card Overview
BCPS Here for It Attendance Campaign
* One of the 110 elementary schools does not have comparison star rating data. This is the first year the school received a Star Rating.