The decline in Somerset County’s overall MSA scores, despite an increase in the number of students performing at a basic level, mirrors the overall dip in scores across the State of Maryland.The implementation of a Common Core standards based assessment and curriculum further increases the need for after school program support for students.Compared to current standards and practices, Common Core creates an educational atmosphere that raises the bar for student performance.Transitioning lower performing students to higher, more complex standards provides challenges to Somerset County Public Schools. Additionally Somerset County schools field-tested the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment for ELA/literacy and math, so not every student completed either a reading or math MSA.Since the county's rate of success lags behind the entire student population of the state, the MSA math and reading scores for the students dropped, and the implementation of the PARCC assessment creates challenges to student achievement during the transition period, it becomes apparent that interventions are crucial for the educational development of the youth population. Poor school performance, including absence from school and falling behind one or more grade levels, increases the likelihood of involvement in delinquent activity.

FY15 LMB strategies to improve these indicators: K is for College

To improve academic performance, attendance, and developmental assets of students to reduce the potential risk of future problems academically and socially. All areas of Somerset County continue to battle with high levels of child poverty, low educational attainment by adults, and poor Maryland State Assessment (MSA) math and reading scores; these issues pose serious obstacles for the success of our youth.