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| Educators from Featherbed Elementary School celebrate being among 63 Baltimore County Public Schools that saw their performances shine on the Maryland School Assessments. |
The morning was cold and the hour was early, but for educators at 63 of Baltimore County’s elementary and middle schools, the moment was warm and satisfying. After a year of hard work from students and staff, their schools were recognized for their performance on the 2006 Maryland School Assessments (MSAs).
During a ceremony in Timonium on February 23 hosted by BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, each of the schools was recognized for its achievements in the 2006 MSA program. Over coffee and pastries, the schools' principals, staff, and parents were lauded and superlatives recounted from each school.
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| Dr. Hairston salutes the 63 schools honored at a special ceremony for achieving gains on the MSA tests. |
"By their progress, the schools we recognize today prove that they are focused on every student's success," said Dr. Hairston, who was joined by Deputy State Superintendent Dr. A. Skipp Sanders in congratulating the schools. "Their achievements reflect this school system's overall emphasis on raising academic rigor and expanding opportunities for all students. In honoring these schools today, we honor all schools for their efforts, and we encourage all administrators, staff, students, and parents to continue to reach higher."
The recognized schools were identified in December by the Maryland State Department of Education not only for their overall performance on the statewide assessments but also by how much they improved the performance of special populations of students from 2005 to 2006. Special populations categories identified by MSDE include race/ethnicity, special education, limited English proficiency, and students who receive free or reduced priced meals.
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| Representatives of Grange Elementary School share their accomplishment with Deputy State Superintendent Skipp Sanders (far left). |
Of the 63 schools honored during the ceremony, 39 showed improvement among subgroups, and 22 of those schools also showed overall improvement. The Maryland School Assessment is a test of reading and math achievement that meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The test is given each year in early March in reading and math at grades 3 through 8. The test includes multiple-choice questions and questions requiring written responses. It measures basic as well as higher level skills.
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| A contingent from Fullerton Elementary School is all smiles as they accept accolades from fellow principals and educators. |
Dr. Hairston and Dr. Sanders were among many educational and county leaders who attended the event, held this year at the Padonia Park Club. BCPS sponsors the gala ceremony each year as an opportunity to recognize those schools that performed well on the annual MSAs and to share some of the educational best practices of these schools.
As each school was announced, for instance, attendees learned about a unique academic practice or accomplishment of that school.
In addition to the acclaim, MSDE also awarded 11 of the recognized schools - all Title I schools - with financial awards of $2,745.82 each.
The list of honored schools is included below. Schools winning a financial award from MSDE are marked with an asterisk.
Southwest Area |
Pinewood Elementary School |
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| The talented harpists from Cockeysville Middle School provided musical performances to highlight the awards ceremony to honor 63 Baltimore County schools. |
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Story by Charles Herndon, communications specialist. Photos courtesy of Lifetouch. |
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