2013 HSA Test Scores now out on Greatschools (Annapolis, Severn: 2014, apartment)

[CindyTevis]

So, a very surprising result came back from the 2013 HSA test scores in Anne Arundel County. This year, Chesapeake High School in Pasadena, MD is ranked as the best high school in Anne Arundel County based on their test scores. 99% of their students passed the Algebra HSA last year, wow. Arundel High School and Broadneck High School dropped down from 9's to 8's. Severna Park is still a 9.

Here is the link: High Schools in Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Annapolis, MD | GreatSchools

[ElkNeckAdventurer]

My guess is that the 2013 MSA results, which GreatSchools relies on, do not accurately test the educational objectives of Maryland schools that have migrated to the common core curriculum. Thus, the scores shown on GreatSchools are now unreliable. The test that aligns with common core will be called PARCC, but from what I have read, that standardized test will not be ready until 2014-15 calendar year.

[MrsEdwards10]

We are going to be moving to MD in the next few yours and I just wanted to know if there is any testing that I should have my kids do before we move out there?

[CindyTevis]

Originally Posted by MrsEdwards10

We are going to be moving to MD in the next few yours and I just wanted to know if there is any testing that I should have my kids do before we move out there?

It depends how old they are. If they're high schoolers, here are the graduation requirements. http://hsaexam.org/img/HS_Grad_Req.pdf. If they're in elementary or middle school, they should be fine.

[TheCaliforniaMarylandPers]

As a former high school teacher, I believe a school is much more than its test scores. I'm sure all the high schools in Anne Arundel County teach their students the same things, and the students have the same opportunities at each school. There are hard working students at every school. One of the high schools I taught at was labeled as the "ghetto" school, when really, we were no different from the other high schools in our district. The other schools just had higher test scores. I also taught at one of the "best" high schools in that same county later on, and that school was no different from the "ghetto" school. They just had higher test scores and more money. I think succeeding in any high school in Anne Arundel County depends on the student. In my opinion, everyone knows this is true, but they just like the better reputation. They just want to be able to say their child goes to ____ High School because it looks good to other people I guess. If people think any of these Anne Arundel schools are bad, they're out of their minds. They need to come down to Cali. There are some schools that are way worse, and have students that are homeless, and live in poverty. At one of the high schools I taught at, I had a student who lived in an apartment with his divorced mother, and 6 of his siblings. He graduated university and makes six figures now. Success is up to the student not the school they go to.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by TheCaliforniaMarylandPers

As a former high school teacher, I believe a school is much more than its test scores. I'm sure all the high schools in Anne Arundel County teach their students the same things, and the students have the same opportunities at each school. There are hard working students at every school. One of the high schools I taught at was labeled as the "ghetto" school, when really, we were no different from the other high schools in our district. The other schools just had higher test scores. I also taught at one of the "best" high schools in that same county later on, and that school was no different from the "ghetto" school. They just had higher test scores and more money. I think succeeding in any high school in Anne Arundel County depends on the student. In my opinion, everyone knows this is true, but they just like the better reputation. They just want to be able to say their child goes to ____ High School because it looks good to other people I guess. If people think any of these Anne Arundel schools are bad, they're out of their minds. They need to come down to Cali. There are some schools that are way worse, and have students that are homeless, and live in poverty. At one of the high schools I taught at, I had a student who lived in an apartment with his divorced mother, and 6 of his siblings. He graduated university and makes six figures now. Success is up to the student not the school they go to.

I wish everybody could see it like you do. Great post.

[CindyTevis]

Originally Posted by TheCaliforniaMarylandPers

As a former high school teacher, I believe a school is much more than its test scores. I'm sure all the high schools in Anne Arundel County teach their students the same things, and the students have the same opportunities at each school. There are hard working students at every school. One of the high schools I taught at was labeled as the "ghetto" school, when really, we were no different from the other high schools in our district. The other schools just had higher test scores. I also taught at one of the "best" high schools in that same county later on, and that school was no different from the "ghetto" school. They just had higher test scores and more money. I think succeeding in any high school in Anne Arundel County depends on the student. In my opinion, everyone knows this is true, but they just like the better reputation. They just want to be able to say their child goes to ____ High School because it looks good to other people I guess. If people think any of these Anne Arundel schools are bad, they're out of their minds. They need to come down to Cali. There are some schools that are way worse, and have students that are homeless, and live in poverty. At one of the high schools I taught at, I had a student who lived in an apartment with his divorced mother, and 6 of his siblings. He graduated university and makes six figures now. Success is up to the student not the school they go to.

For once, someone who also see's this. I was thinking the same thing. Anne Arundel lowest school is still average. Success depends on the kid, not the school. A school that fails to meet MARYLAND standards doesn't mean its bad. Maryland standards are super high.