Baltimore NAEP scores better than expected
Baltimore's scores on a NAEP math test were better than many educators might have expected. For the first time, Baltimore volunteered to be one of 18 cities where the NAEP is given to a large sample of students so that results can be compared to other districts. It was a risky proposition because if the scores had been horrible, the city's multiple year attempt at reform might have been called in to question. In addition, it would have given fuel to those who would like to cut spending on education.
A decade ago, I can remember people asking me whether Baltimore had the worst schools in the nation, a question that couldn't be answered because there was no data that allowed such a comparison. However, we have that data today, and the results show that Baltimore's fourth graders are in the middle of the pack of the 18 large urban areas. They scored above their peers in many tough cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and others. Eighth graders did not do as well, but the school system points out that the city's African American poor population scored about the same as their peer group across the nation.
The scores are still low and CEO Andres Alonso points out that these results now gives him some good reason to tear up the math curriculum and figure out what might work better, but at least the city can say that its schools probably aren't doing much worse than other cities in America.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
I can't believe there have been no comments from the general chorus of how bad City Schools and Alonso are. No complaints about teaching to the test? Or maybe that wasn't the case here. Can't say the test has been dumbed-down, since this is a national test.
Honestly, can't we just once be happy that there are real improvements being made in City Schools? Nobody says they are perfect, but it's hard to say we're not on a path to make schools better in the face of objective evidence. Even without the incredibly negative comments, this blog post seems pretty negative to me.
Well, I'll say it - Congratulations to City Schools in having the nerve to participate in national tests. Congratulations to the test takers who gave it their best and showed that we are not at the bottom of the barrel. And I think the honest assessment with an eye towards future improvements is very positive and hopeful.
Posted by: a parent | December 9, 2009 11:50 AM
I agree, a parent. When something isn't working, everyone and their mom (so to speak!) is jumping on the blog to complain about this and that. But when good news arrives, suddenly no one's to be found. Well, I'll join your congratulations to the teachers, administrators, parents and especially the students who have worked so hard to demonstrate this improvement. Here's to even higher success!
Posted by: Simon | December 9, 2009 7:34 PM
Post @ Baltimore's math scores are mediocre -- and that's reason to celebrate?
Is basement level testing results outcomes being exposed for the lack of teaching and learning deliverance results levels, actual reflections of the operations leadership not being talented or innovative enough to be allowed to do more for our district city primary schools? "Yes". Then lets tear it up and start a new course.
Posted by: Interested & Engaged Parent of City Schools | December 10, 2009 3:43 PM
This is really not what I would classify as "good" news. If you dig depper, its just not "worse" news. Scores are still abysmal. My guess is that the city did not "volunteer" but was required to use the test as data collection tied to a large federal STEM grant.
Posted by: realteacher | December 10, 2009 4:39 PM
Is it just me or does it seem that we are celebrating not being last? The best of the worst? Bad is still bad. Why are we comparing failures to see who's better?
Posted by: concerned teacher | December 13, 2009 11:54 PM