Maryland

Maryland could join other states to retain third graders with low reading proficiency – Maryland Matters

Published

4 months ago

July 4, 2024

A proposed literacy policy in Maryland could have third-grade students held back for a year if they don’t achieve certain reading scores on state tests, or “demonstrate sufficient reading skills for promotion to grade 4.”

Maryland would join more than half of states that allow third-grade students to be held back if the policy is adopted. The Maryland Department of Education is accepting public comments on the plan until July 19.

It comes as the state Board of Education and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation board recently voted on aggressive goals to boost student achievement for the state, which ranks 40th in the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known at the Nation’s Report Card. The goal is to put Maryland in the top 10 by 2027.

“It has been noted in several research studies that literacy is considered one of the key and pivotal priorities in education if we expect our communities, our states to prosper,” Tenette Smith, executive director of literacy programs and initiatives in the state Department of Education, said Tuesday. “We have to make sure that we are addressing kiddos’ needs, as well as their access to high-quality education. It becomes an equity issue.”

The proposed literacy policy would implement a reading intervention program for students in kindergarten through third grade who are identified with a reading deficiency or “need for supplemental instruction in reading.”

Students in those grades would be screened about three times, which includes for dyslexia, throughout the school year. They can also receive before- or after-school tutoring by a person with “specialized training grounded in the science of reading,” which focuses on teaching students based on phonics, comprehension and vocabulary.

The policy will also call for professional development for staff, which they will receive for free as part of the science of reading program.

A parent or guardian would receive written notification if their child exhibits any reading challenges during the school year. Students who are kept back in the third grade would receive more dedicated time “than the previous school year in scientifically research-based reading instruction and intervention,” daily small group instruction and frequent monitoring of the student’s reading skills throughout the school year.

The proposal includes a “good cause exemption” that would let students advance to the fourth grade if they are diagnosed with a disability described in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). It would also apply to students with a Section 504 plan who are diagnosed with a disability and need “reasonable accommodation” to participate in school and school-related activities.

A good-cause exception could also be made for students who fewer received less than two years of instruction in an English-language development program.

Any student who received such an exception would continue to receive intensive reading intervention and other services.

No student could be retained twice in third grade, according to the policy.

Smith said the policy is similar to one drafted in Mississippa, where she worked with current Maryland State Superintendent Carey Wright. But a few main differences that focus on Maryland include the Ready to Act and state regulations to support students with reading difficulties.

‘Have to be creative’

According to a January report from the Education Commission of the States, about 26 states and Washington, D.C., implemented policies that require retention for third-grade students who are not reading proficiently, or allow those decisions at the local level. That report came out two months before Indiana joined the list, when the legislature in March approved a measure to retain third grade students who don’t pass a statewide assessment test or meet a “good cause” exemption, similar to the proposed Maryland policy.

A 2013 report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation noted that students who don’t read proficiently by the end of the third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma. The gap could increase if a student comes from a low-income family, is Black or Latino, the report said.

Smith said there’s “a slight shift” in expectations when students enter fourth grade, and begin assessing multisyllabic words and doing more independent reading.

“When you are making that shift, you are providing more academic language and asking children to access or bear a heavier cognitive load. Kiddos are asked to do more word work,” Smith said. “As they progress from one grade to the other, third grade becomes that key grade level, that sort of gateway to being a fluent reader with the ability to analyze the text they are reading.”

Maryland State Education Association President Cheryl Bost, who retires from teaching at the end of the month, said the state needs to assess who would provide the tutoring during the school day and before or after school.

“We are still in a [teacher] shortage. How we can retain staff and bring staff is going to be key to all of this,” she said Monday.

She also said reading intervention during the school day is “more desirable” than making tutoring before or after school the only option.

“When we do that though, we can’t pull kids out of the arts,” Bost said. “We have to be creative in scheduling because those other subject areas are important. Some kids really shine in those areas.… They have to learn reading in other context not just in what might be called a reading class.”

The policy is scheduled to be discussed by the state Board of Education on July 23. For those interested in taking the survey can go here, or send an email to [email protected] by July 19.

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Maryland

Live Coverage: Maryland leads Marquette, 34-30, at halftime

Published

1 hour ago

November 15, 2024

Press Room

Live Coverage: Maryland leads Marquette, 34-30, at halftime

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland – The Marquette men’s basketball team (3-0) has its first road game of the season at Maryland (3-0) at 8 p.m. at the Xfinity Center.

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Ja’Kobi Gillespie had 14 points and Derik Queen added 11 as Maryland took a 34-30 lead into the break.

Kam Jones led MU with 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

MU freshman Damarius Owens missed the first three games with an injured toe.

He has been warming up before the last few games, but he made his debut at Maryland.

He took a hard foul on a fast break, but got up quickly and hit two free throws for his first points with the Golden Eagles.

The Terrapins held a 27-23 lead at the 3:30 mark of the first half after a 7-0 run.

Marquette starters Ben Gold and Kam Jones each picked up their second fouls with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

Both immediately took seats on the bench.

MU has struggled offensively with Jones off the floor.

Kam Jones has started this season scorching.

That continued on the road. The senior guard hit his first three shots and had seven points as MU grabbed a 10-6 advantage at the first media timeout.

Derik Queen, a 6-foot-10 freshman, had a remarkable debut for the Terrapins with 22 points and 20 rebounds against Manhattan.

The former McDonald’s All-American is the second-highest rated recruit in Maryland hoops history.

The highest-rated recruit? Former Whitefish Bay Dominican standout Diamond Stone.

Guards: Kam Jones, Stevie Mitchell, Chase Ross

Forwards: David Joplin, Ben Gold

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Maryland

Rutgers vs. Maryland prediction: Odds, expert picks, QB matchup, betting trends, and stats

Published

12 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Press Room

Rutgers vs. Maryland prediction: Odds, expert picks, QB matchup, betting trends, and stats

Maryland (4-5) opened 3-1 with wins over UConn and @UVA to go with a 27-24 loss to Michigan State where Maryland only had a 10%-win expectancy. Though they lost a 42-28 decision to undefeated Indiana, the Terps actually had the smallest margin of defeat of any team Indiana has played this season, which counts as a moral victory. They got trounced by Northwestern 37-10 before the Terps bounced back to extract a 29-28 win over USC. HC Mike Locksley’s offense is a pass-oriented scheme that ranks Top 20 in both pass rate and completion rate (68.4%). The Maryland linebacker group ranks 7th in havoc rate and fortifies a credible run defense that slots in at 18th in yards per rush and 17th in yards after contact allowed.

The Scarlet Knights (5-4) barnstormed through their early season schedule with notable victories over @Virginia Tech and Washington, as RU opened up with a 4-0 record. However, since then Rutgers dropped one-score decisions against @Nebraska and UCLA in addition to getting crushed by USC and Wisconsin to even their record at 4-4 heading into last week’s game against Minnesota when they secured a 26-19 victory over the Gophers. Offensively RB Kyle Monangai leads a credible run game that ranks 14th in YAC and 40th in EPA/rush. Monangai missed the last game but has already been cleared to play against the Terps. RU is allowing a brutal 50% rushing success rate (13th worst in FBS) while ranking 125th in EPA/rush allowed but is still considered the 33rd defense in FBS according to SP+.

NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.

Listen to the B1G Talk podcast with Todd Blackledge and Noah Eagle for the most compelling storylines across all of college football, with the biggest teams on the rise and the latest rankings!

Game Details and How to watch Rutgers @ Maryland

· Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
· Time: 6:00 PM EST
· Site: SECU Stadium
· City: College Park, MD
· TV/Streaming: FS1

Want to check out the other games on the College Football schedule this week? We’ve got you covered right here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!

Game odds for Rutgers @ Maryland courtesy of BetMGM

The latest odds as of Friday morning:

Moneyline: Maryland (-225), Rutgers (+185)
Spread: Maryland -5.5
Over/Under: 51.5 points

This game opened with Maryland as a 3-point favorite but quickly shot up to a range of -5.5 to 6 in current trading. Rutgers moneyline opened at +150 and has improved to +185. The game total has corrected upwards from 50.5 to a current high-water mark of 52.5.

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

NBC Sports Betting Analyst Eric Froton (@CFFroton) thinks:
“These two programs are consistently engaging in high scoring affairs, as Maryland ranks 5th nationally with a 7-2 record to the Over and Rutgers is no slouch themselves hitting the Over at 6-3 clip. Accordingly, i’m backing the Over 51.5 points to be scored on these two leaky defenses.”

Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers.

Quarterback matchup for Rutgers @ Maryland

Maryland: Billy Edwards Jr. beat out four-star NC State transfer QB MJ Morris for the starting gig and has run with the job, completing a commendable 65.7% of his throws for 2,519 pass yards and a 14-to-8 ratio while recording an 81.2 PFF offensive grade that ranks as the 23rd best mark among Power Conference quarterbacks. Edwards has been getting the ball out of his hands in a brisk 2.32s on average, which is the fourth quickest release time in the country. He is leading a rather conservative Terps passing attack that ranks 118th in 20+ yard pass rate, and 121st in passing explosiveness.

Rutgers: HC Greg Schiano moved on from ineffective 2023 starting QB Gavin Wimsatt in favor of former Minnesota signal caller Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred in this offseason. The change of scenery did a world of good for Kaliakmanis, who has improved his yards per attempt average from 6.2-to-6.8 and lowered his pressure-to-sack rate from 20.5% to 15.0%. However, the biggest quantifiable gain from an advanced statistical perspective is Kaliakmanis boosting his PFF passing grade from 58.2-to-74.1. The change of scenery has been beneficial for Kaliakmanis who will try to beat Maryland and achieve bowl eligibility for the Scarlet Knights.

Betting trends & recent stats

Maryland’s offensive line has been strong in pass protection, allowing a 25.3% pressure rate (18th) with a 3.9% sack rate (31st). However, they rank a disappointing 111th with a 10.9% blown run block rate, and 102nd in yards before contact (1.33).
Maryland WR Tai Felton is averaging 8.9 receptions per game, which leads the FBS and ranks second in FBS only to San Jose State WR Nick Nash at 9.6 receptions per contest.
RU is tackling opponents for a loss on 13.6% of the rush attempts they’ve faced, 57th out of 67 Power Four teams. Washington ranks last with an 8.9% TFL rate.
Rutgers ranks 125th nationally with a 53.8% completion rate, and 27th in FBS averaging 7.0 air yards per completion. The Scarlet Knights are consciously sacrificing accuracy in favor of trying to hit explosive pass plays downfield.

BetMGM College Football Insights: National Championship

Line movement (Last Week to Now)

Ohio State +350 to +300
Texas +550 to +450
Ole Miss +3500 to +1000

Highest Ticket%

Ohio State 14.0%
Texas 11.5%
Georgia 10.6%

Highest Handle%

Ohio State 17.7%
Georgia 16.3%
Texas 11.4%

Biggest Liabilities

Colorado
Ohio State
Tennessee

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