Posted 10/28/2022. See our other reports on MCPS test data here
Executive Summary
Data for English Language Arts (ELA) grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 were analyzed for 2019 and 2021, specifically:
- 2021 number of students tested, the number of proficient students, and the percent of proficient students by grade and demographic group
- 2019 vs. 2021 percent of proficient students by grade and demographic group
- 2019 percent of proficient students by male and female demographic groups
In 2021, proficiency numbers were 36.3% for grade 3, 33.9% for grade 5, 42.0% for grade 8, and 64.7% grade 10.
In 2019, proficiency numbers were 50.5% for grade 3, 53.7% for grade 5, 55.4% for grade 8, and 52.7% grade 10.
Asian, White, Military Connected, and Two or More Races students generally had the highest proficiency. Students with Disabilities, English Learner, Homeless, and Foster Care students generally had the lowest proficiency.
Female students had higher proficiency than male students in every grade. The largest disparities were in 2019 Grade 8 proficiency (64.2% female vs. 46.9% male) and in 2019 grade 10 proficiency (60.0% female vs. 46.3% male). Gender disparities were smaller in 2021 because females had a larger proficiency decrease than males for grades 3, 5, 8, as well as a smaller proficiency increase for grade 10.
Three subgroups of females (Asian, White, Two or More Races) had the highest levels of proficiency in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 (ranging from 69.1% to 88.2%). Hispanic males had the lowest level of proficiency in each of these four grades (between 24.3 and 26.7%).
Background and Source Data
The Maryland State Department of Education defines proficiency on standardized tests. Data are reported by school district and demographic.
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/Assessments/ElaPerformance/1EL/3/6/3/1/15/XXXX/2019
Previous Reports on ELA
We have previously done reports on MCPS ELA proficiency for Grade 3, Grade 8, and Multilingual Learners.
Demographic Categories
The demographics are categorized by:
Gender
- Female
- Male
Special Services
- ADA 504
- FARMS
- English Learner
- Migrant
- Students with Disabilities
- Title 1
- Homeless
- Foster Care
- Military Connected
Race and Ethnicity
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian
- African American
- Hispanic
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- Two or More Races
- White
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The state added additional categories of Economically Disadvantaged, Non-economically Disadvantaged, and Students without Disabilities in 2021.
State data for 2019 provide the ability to compare subgroup combinations of gender, special services, and race/ethnicity. State data for 2021 provide the ability to see the numbers of students in demographic groups in addition to percent proficiency.
Results and Conclusions
2021 ELA
The number of students tested, the number of proficient students, and the percent of proficient students are shown by grade and demographic group in the following 4 tables. Green is > 75% proficient, yellow is 50 to <75% proficient, orange is 25 to <50% proficient, red is<25% proficient.
Grade 3
11,130 grade 3 students were tested. 4,038 (36.3%) were proficient. Asian, White, Military Connected, and Two or More Races students had proficiency over 50%. Groups with the lowest proficiency were English Learner (13.6%), Students with Disabilities (11.6%), and Homeless (10%).
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Grade 5
11,241 grade 5 students were tested. 3,809 (33.9%) were proficient. Asian, White, Military Connected, and Two or More Races students had proficiency over 40%. Groups with the lowest proficiency were Students with Disabilities (11.2%), English Learner (9.4%), and Homeless (9.1%).
Grade 8
11,637 students were tested. 4,890 (42.0%) were proficient. Asian, Military Connected, White, and Two or More Races students had proficiency over 50%. Groups with the lowest proficiency were Students with Disabilities (14.2%), and Homeless (10.4%), and English Learner (5.4%).
Grade 10
12,078 students were tested. 7,818 (64.7%) were proficient. White, Asian, Military Connected, and Two or More Races students had proficiency over 75%. Groups with the lowest proficiency were Homeless (22.9%), Foster Care (20.0%), and English Learner (12.1%).
2019 vs 2021 ELA
The percent proficiency in 2019 vs. 2021 was compared for each demographic group in the following 4 tables. Green is > 75% proficient, yellow is 50 to <75% proficient, orange is 25 to <50% proficient, red is<25% proficient.
Grade 3
All groups showed decreased proficiency in 2021 (a few groups designated in gray did not have data reported in 2019). MCPS All Students declined from 50.5% proficient to 36.3% proficient.
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Grade 5
All groups showed decreased proficiency in 2021, except for English Learners who improved from 5.0% to 9.4% proficiency. MCPS All Students declined from 53.7% proficient to 33.9% proficient.
Grade 8
All groups showed decreased proficiency in 2021, except for English Learners who improved from 5.0% to 5.4% proficiency. MCPS All Students declined from 55.4% proficient to 42.0% proficient.
Grade 10
All groups showed increased proficiency in 2021. MCPS All Students improved from 52.7% to 64.7% proficiency.
2019 ELA Gender/Race/Ethnicity Combined Subgroups
The percent proficiency in 2019 was compared for subgroups with combined gender plus race/ethnicity.
Grade 3
Asian females, White females, and Two or More Races females showed the highest proficiency. Hispanic/Latino males and females showed the lowest proficiency.
Grade 5
Asian females, White females, and Two or More Races females showed the highest proficiency. Hispanic/Latino males and Black males showed the lowest proficiency.
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Grade 8
Asian females, White females, and Two or More Races females showed the highest proficiency. America Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latino males showed the lowest proficiency.
Grade 10
Asian females, White females, and Two or More Races females showed the highest proficiency. Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latino males showed the lowest proficiency.
Proficiency Differences between Genders
Percent proficiency for male and females was compared in 2019 and 2021 for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10.
Proficiency varied from a low of 31.6% grade 5 males in 2021 to a high of 68.8% grade 10 females in 2021.
The difference in proficiency between genders was calculated. For example, the difference in 2019 grade 3 proficiency was 10.5 (55.8% females vs. 45.3% males). Differences ranged from a low of 4.7 (grade 5, 2021) to a high of 17.3 (grade 8, 2019).
See the rest of our series on MCPS Test Score Data:
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