Can you find the volume of a cylinder? Multiply exponential numbers? Solve a system of equations?
Eighth graders in Maryland are supposed to know how to do all of that and more. But the latest round of state test scores shows that very few of them do. Just 7% of test-takers passed the state’s eighth grade math test, part of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program.
One big caveat: The scores on that test can be deceptively low because many eighth graders take advanced math classes, such as Algebra I, and the corresponding test instead; pass rates are higher — 17% — on that test.
Still, the poor performance in eighth grade is concerning state education officials, who are calling for higher-quality math instruction and support that bridges the gap between where students are now and the skills they are supposed to know.
The standards, they said, will remain high. Would you meet them?
Try your hand at five questions from a practice test for the eighth grade math MCAP:
Want to see how students did at a school near you? Look up the scores for math, English and science on our database of school test scores.
Banner reporter Liz Bowie contributed to this report.
