HCPSS Makes AYP! Surpasses Graduation Target!

HCPSS is the only District in the State to Make AYP!

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced today that the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) met AYP for 2011 and that Howard County's graduation rate remains well above the state target.
"I am extremely pleased to report that our schools are rising to the challenge as targets and expectations are raised," said Dr. Cousin.

"It is also encouraging to see that 90 percent of our students are graduating within four years, which is approaching our local target of 95 percent," he added. "Our goal is for all our students to graduate well prepared for college and career. Thanks to the combined efforts of our students, staff, teachers, parents and community, that goal is within reach."

Beginning this year, Maryland is using cohort rate methodology to calculate the graduation rate for federal reporting purposes. As a result, 2011 data establishes a new baseline and cannot be compared to those from previous years, which were calculated using the leaver rate method. Additionally, school systems may now meet the graduation target in one of three ways: 1) by meeting the target for a 4-year cohort, 2) by meeting the target for a 5-year cohort, or 3) by demonstrating growth.

The HCPSS exceeded the 4-year cohort target of 81.5 percent with an 89.5 percent 4-year graduation rate. The school system also exceeded the 5-year cohort target of 84.4 percent with a 90.9 percent 5-year graduation rate.

Preliminary results also indicate that all but one of Howard County's high schools met AYP, by meeting the targets for participation and proficiency on the Algebra/Data Analysis and English High School Assessments and the target for graduation rate. Mt. Hebron High School did not make AYP by failing to meet the reading proficiency target for students receiving special education services.