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Jessica Trzyna or
Erica Chlada
(410) 727-6855
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May 11, 2005
MORE
FREDERICK COUNTY STUDENTS MEETING
THE CHALLENGE OF RIGOROUS COURSES
Frederick,
MD --- More Frederick County high school students are taking and
completing high-level math and science courses that will enable
them to enter and complete college or to qualify for good paying
jobs with decent benefits, according to data released today by the
Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT). 
Statistics compiled by MBRT - a non-profit coalition of leading
employers that have made a long-term commitment to improve student
achievement in Maryland - indicate that in the span of one year,
from 2003 to 2004:
- 336 more Frederick County freshmen had completed Algebra I by
ninth grade (a 15% increase);
- 218 more high school students completed Algebra II (a 10% increase);
and
- 488 more seniors completed a fourth science credit (a 60% increase).
When looking at the disaggregated data, the rate of increase in Frederick
County high schools among low-income and minority students is significant:
- 55% more students living in poverty completed Algebra I by
ninth grade;
- 57% more African American students completed Chemistry; and
- 80% more Hispanic students completed a fourth science credit.
[June Streckfus, Executive Director of MBRT, will present these and
other findings at the Frederick County Board of Education meeting,
to be held today, Wednesday, May 11, at 6 p.m.]
MBRT has been working in partnership with Frederick County Public
Schools to increase the number of students who complete rigorous courses
- particularly in math and science - in an effort to ensure that students
are well prepared for postsecondary success, regardless of whether
they go on to college or enter the workforce directly after high school.
Relying on volunteer speakers from Frederick's business community,
MBRT's Maryland Scholars program is providing students with compelling
information about the rigorous coursework they need to take and complete
in high school in order to be successful in life.
"Frederick County has made tremendous strides in raising expectations,
offering rigorous courses, encouraging students to enroll in them,
and providing support to help students complete them," says MBRT Executive
Director June Streckfus.
"The data we are seeing in Frederick County proves that students will
make good decisions if adults provide credible reasons, good information,
support, and a vision of what is possible for them," Streckfus continues.
"By creating an atmosphere of access to rigorous courses, administrators,
teachers, and counselors in Frederick County are achieving results
that are setting a standard for school districts around the country."
"We know that completing rigorous math and science courses is the
key to opportunity for our students, and we are confident that our
students are up to the challenge," says Dr. Linda Burgee, Frederick
County Schools Superintendent. "The Maryland Scholars program and
the tremendous support we are receiving from more than 75 business
volunteers are helping to convince students that putting forth the
extra effort in school will pay off for them in life." The program
continues this fall and new volunteer speakers are welcome (www.mbrt.org/speak).
Dr. Burgee notes that success in high school depends on a complex
interplay between academic and non-academic factors. With that in
mind, Frederick County Public Schools and MBRT are making sure that
students are exposed early and often to the rigor, relevance, and
relationships that will help them succeed.
As one Frederick County ninth grade student put it, "I was always
told that I had to do well in school, but I never really took it seriously.
Now I know what I have to do and why it's important."
Maryland Scholars (www.mbrt.org/scholars)
is part of MBRT's Achievement Counts program, a nationally recognized
initiative that focuses on demonstrating to students, parents, and
educators the critical connection between achievement in school and
success in the workplace and in life. Launched in 1999, Achievement
Counts includes a speaker's bureau (www.mbrt.org/speak),
a teen career website (www.bewhatiwanttobe.com),
and a webpage providing parent information to help children succeed
in school (www.mbrt.org/parents).
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