BALTIMORE (AP) - Fewer than half of Maryland elementary and middle school students can pass tough new standardized tests and school officials are blaming a teaching and testing standards overhaul in recent years.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the results announced Tuesday show that teachers and students haven't adjusted to the higher expectations of the new Partnership for Assessments of Career and College Readiness.
Nearly 40 percent of students in grades three through eight failed to meet the standard set for reading and only 30 percent met the standard in math. Maryland's school board can adjust the standard if members believe it is too high.
In a statement, Interim State Schools Superintendent Jack Smith says the data reflects a high bar and the results should be considered with other measures.
