August 25th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Students across Maryland generally improved their math scores from last year on the state's annual standardized test, but once again fewer than half of the test-takers were able to pass. WBAL reports the Maryland State Department of Education released the scores this week for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exam. The tests, which debuted during the 2014-15 school year, were given in grades three through eight, and in two subjects in high school. Elementary school math scores climbed slightly, but language arts scores were essentially flat. On the Algebra I PARCC, which some middle and high school students take, the pass rate rose from roughly 33 percent to 35.6 percent. About 44 percent passed the English 10 exam, compared to 40 percent last year. Maryland Schools Superintendent Karen Salmon said the state remains committed to the test, but a task force has been studying ways to reduce the amount of classroom time spent on other standardized tests…

{pla}082516/Salmon1.mp3{/play}