A Time to Celebrate: Our County Makes Strides in Closing the Achievement Gap!

I just received word about this huge accomplishment and wanted to share it with you all. It is a true testament to the work we teachers do every day with our students in providing full opportunities for our students' growth, improvement, and success, regardless of the color of their skin or background:
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To my colleagues,
Today is a historic day for Montgomery County Public Schools—and it is all because of your hard work and dedication.
The College Board released SAT scores for the Class of 2010 this morning and MCPS students set an all-time record. Our 2010 graduates scored an average of 1653, which is our district’s highest score since the “new SAT” was implemented in 2006 and represents a one-year increase of 38 points. MCPS graduates outscored their Maryland peers by 151 points and the nation’s 2010 graduates by 144 points. Students in all racial subgroups improved over last year, but African American and Hispanic students made the biggest gains, further narrowing the achievement gap. The best news of all is that 51% of our students scored a 1,650 or higher, meeting the 7th Key to College Readiness—again, an all-time record.
Of course, these results did not happen in one year, or even in four years. The students whose achievements are described in this report were second graders when we began working together in 1999 and made a firm commitment that we would give all students access to an outstanding education. From elementary school, through the middle grades, and into high school, you provided our students with the opportunities and support they needed to be successful. The SAT results released today are the culmination of all the work done by you and your colleagues since these students entered MCPS.
What I’m most proud of is that we have achieved these remarkable results amid record demographic changes. Our poverty levels have increased about 50 percent and the number of English Language Learners has increased more than 100 percent. We have never let poverty, race or language become excuses for poor performance. Instead, we’ve proven that race, language and poverty do not need to be predictors of student success.
Yes, there is work left to be done, but I want to take this moment to celebrate with you and offer a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who played a role in making today’s results possible. MCPS has, without a doubt, the best staff of any school district in the country, and I continue to be honored and humbled to work with such an amazing group of professionals. Congratulations, and thank you.