They should get rid of the algebra requirement for kids who are struggling/special needs and do more real life math.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

Look at the data for Whitman and Wootton for Algebra. Its terrible. Definitely not 70%. More kids in level 1 and level 2 than level 3..

It's kind of like pp said, the stronger students take Algebra I in middle school. So it's likely the weaker students taking it in high school, won't score as well.

If you look at the middle schools, Pyle has 75.6% with a 3 or 4. And Frost has 69.6%

But the tables also say that the results are for school year 2020-2021, which I think might've been before the MCAP.

Middle school data shows Math 6 assessment not Algebra

You can filter for the specific tests, including Algebra I, when you go to the school page->MCAP tab->change it to the Math assessments, then in the dropdown, it lists the different tests that were taken at that school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

Look at the data for Whitman and Wootton for Algebra. Its terrible. Definitely not 70%. More kids in level 1 and level 2 than level 3..

It's kind of like pp said, the stronger students take Algebra I in middle school. So it's likely the weaker students taking it in high school, won't score as well.

If you look at the middle schools, Pyle has 75.6% with a 3 or 4. And Frost has 69.6%

But the tables also say that the results are for school year 2020-2021, which I think might've been before the MCAP.

Middle school data shows Math 6 assessment not Algebra

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

Look at the data for Whitman and Wootton for Algebra. Its terrible. Definitely not 70%. More kids in level 1 and level 2 than level 3..

It's kind of like pp said, the stronger students take Algebra I in middle school. So it's likely the weaker students taking it in high school, won't score as well.

If you look at the middle schools, Pyle has 75.6% with a 3 or 4. And Frost has 69.6%

But the tables also say that the results are for school year 2020-2021, which I think might've been before the MCAP.

actually looking for at the report, I think that part is a link to the 2020-2021 school year and that page is for 2023-2024.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

Look at the data for Whitman and Wootton for Algebra. Its terrible. Definitely not 70%. More kids in level 1 and level 2 than level 3..

It's kind of like pp said, the stronger students take Algebra I in middle school. So it's likely the weaker students taking it in high school, won't score as well.

If you look at the middle schools, Pyle has 75.6% with a 3 or 4. And Frost has 69.6%

But the tables also say that the results are for school year 2020-2021, which I think might've been before the MCAP.

For wootton


Year Performance Level Result (%)
(All
Students)
2024
PL 1 38
2024
PL 2. 51.9
2024
PL 3. 7.7
2024
PL 4. ≤5.0
2024
PL 3/4. 9.6

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

Look at the data for Whitman and Wootton for Algebra. Its terrible. Definitely not 70%. More kids in level 1 and level 2 than level 3..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

It would be interesting to see the breakout for each school by EML/non-EML and FARMS/non-FARMS, preferably with a quad chart covering both, especially if it showed some normalization across schools for each category.

Kudos to the HS math teachers! The strongest math kids in these clusters take the MCPA for Algebra and Geometry in MS.

MCAP has a few problems - (1) It is actually a hard test. The problems test multiple concepts in the same question and require additional numbers of steps in a way that students aren't necessarily prepared for during the school year; (2) the teachers do not review for it, so as OP's kid experienced, it is easy to not quite remember some stuff from early in the year; (3) it tests the entire year of content early in May, so teachers have not covered a chunk of what is tested (guessing around 15%); (4) the test is really long, and kids don't have stamina for it. I could go on. My kid tested in 2023, and missed the proficient cut-off by 1 point. I did not require retake of Alg 1, and she has done well in Alg 2 this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

It would be interesting to see the breakout for each school by EML/non-EML and FARMS/non-FARMS, preferably with a quad chart covering both, especially if it showed some normalization across schools for each category.

The Algebra MCAP results for MoCo reflect the learning effects of the pandemic, the change in state standards and demographic changes, especially EML in relatively early years of that designation, that mean increases in the percent of the student population for which one would expect difficulty both from content absorption and standardized test familiarity perspectives.

The uptick (still too low, of course) from 2023 to 2024 reflects an additional year of recovery from pandemic learning effects and greater teaching familiarity with/curricular content adherence to the newer state test/standard.

Current MSDE graduation requirements do not include scoring at a particular level on the Algebra MCAP. Required are passing state test scores for Science (Biology) and Social Stidies (Government). A bridge plans for "failing" the Algebra MCAP is not a current requirement, though this was a past requirement.

Requirements again may change for future years, though, and those not doing well on the Algebra MCAP might do well to ensure a robust knowledge base. That is, of course, if their score was reflective of their knowledge instead of, say, a disregard for the test while taking it, knowing its score has no personal impact beyond pride and demonstration of one's teacher's effectiveness, or similar disregard with respect to class preparation for the same reason -- many teachers might prefer to use the class time to cover new content/catch up on uncovered content (if behind) instead of review.

To the OP, I am not sure, but section 3 of the MCAP may have been harder because of

A) any adaptive testing model employed,
B) the test being administered prior to the completion of the year, where content expected to be taught in the last month was disproportionately reflected in that section,
C) any ongoing disconnect (I'm not aware, just a possibility) between MCPS curricular standards amd MSDE standards,
D) that section containing questions being evaluated for research purposes (i.e., candidate questions for future years) but not scored, as one poster previously mentioned, or
E) a combination of these or another reason, altogether.

Anonymous wrote:In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

While I agree that there are some issues with the MCAP test and overall passing rate of MCAP, if you look at the W schools, most of them have over 60% proficiency rates in the math state tests.

For example, Whitman 79.5%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0427/0

Churchill 75.8%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0602/0

Walter Johnson 65%:
https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/H/1/15/0424/0

So the question/issue is if you are okay that your kid is just getting by or just matching the overall trend, "Well the test has a high failure rate, so it's okay that my child didn't do okay in it." Or should it be looked at as, "well other kids are able to pass it. What needs to be done to have my kids be able to be raised to that level?"

Overall, I don't think it's a big deal if a student fails the MCAP test as long as they're doing okay in the class. But there is the question if they're really getting and understanding the concepts of the class.

In 2024 only 42% students passed Algebra MCAP.

https://mocoshow.com/2024/08/28/mcps-schools-show-consistent-performance-in-2023-2024-mcap-results/

I think the participation only requirements only applied to the students who would've taken the Algebra course during the pandemic. And they're starting to phase in being required to pass the tests or meet through another way.

The school will likely keep on having your student take the test until they meet the math requirement.

But there will eventually be other ways for your student to meet the requirement too. ie if they score a 3 or higher in the AP exams or 5 or higher with the IB.

If it comes down to it, if the student still didn't meet the requirements by the time they graduate, the school system will ask for a waiver for the student. But that's only after the school made every effort for the student to meet the requirements. ie have them go through classes going over the subject again, retaking the test at every opportunity, etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The main concern or issue is that the score might be used against them if they want to try to get into a higher level math course. Also I'm not sure how much the test score correlates with your student's grade. As others mentioned, if they didn't do well in Algebra overall, that might be a concern.

All those posters being obnoxious to OP .. fyi
Only 22% of students passed Algebra MCAP in 2023.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/10/08/does-mcps-deserve-a-passing-grade/

Get a tutor.