Zero Proficient Math Scores at 13 Baltimore High Schools Raises Concerns

BALTIMORE — A troubling report has surfaced regarding the performance of high school students in Baltimore City on the state math exam. According to findings from Project Baltimore, 40% of the high schools that administered the test saw no students achieve proficiency, with 13 schools reporting that not a single student scored at the proficient level.

Among the schools listed are well-known institutions such as Patterson High School, Frederick Douglass High School, and Reginald F. Lewis High School. In total, 1,736 students from these 13 schools participated in the exam, with 1,295 students, or approximately 74.5%, receiving the lowest score of one out of four.

Jason Rodriguez, deputy director of the nonprofit People Empowered by the Struggle, expressed grave concern over these results, labeling the situation as “educational homicide.” Rodriguez has previously called for the resignation of Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises due to ongoing issues related to low test scores and graduation rates.

Despite receiving significant funding — $1.6 billion from taxpayers and an additional $799 million in federal Covid relief — the lack of proficiency in math among students raises questions about accountability within the school system. Rodriguez emphasized that the issue is not a lack of resources but rather a failure in leadership and accountability.

In a statement, Baltimore City Public Schools acknowledged the funding increases and noted improvements in overall math scores across the district. However, they also recognized that many high school students continue to struggle, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The report comes as a stark reminder of the persistent educational challenges in the city, as similar findings were reported six years ago. Rodriguez pointed out that many of the schools on the current list were also included in the 2017 report, indicating a troubling trend in educational outcomes.

As the state prepares to officially release the test scores later this month, there are concerns that the information may be heavily redacted, limiting transparency for parents and the community. Project Baltimore has called for greater access to data to ensure accountability and improvement in schools.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).