美国马里兰州很重视中小学教育，也爱搞学校的排榜和评估。我们学区有小学40所，中学19所，高中12所，共计59所中小学和12所高中。

最近在马里兰州的384所中小学和70所高中的评估中，我们学区共有39所学校上榜。咱家三个宝儿所在的小学，初中，和高中都在榜上。

上任何光荣榜都是要付出汗水的。现在咱终于懂了，为啥咱家孩子们的学习都那么紧张，学校作业那么多。

Thirty-nine Howard County Schools Recognized for Performance

Thirty-nine Howard County public schools were recognized last week for their performance on the 2011 Maryland School Assessment (MSA) or the High School Assessment (HSA), and for improving the performance of special populations of students. The local schools were among 384 elementary and middle schools and 70 high schools across the state to be recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education for the academic performance of their students.

"The schools on this list are to be congratulated for the outstanding job they are doing, not only this year, but year after year," said Superintendent Sydney Cousin. "It should be noted that the majority of the schools were recognized for both overall student achievement and the achievement of student groups. This is just one more indication that we are following through on our commitment to eliminate all achievement gaps."

Only schools that made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the 2010-2011 school year were eligible for the recognition. Special populations are subgroups that include race/ethnicity, special education, limited English proficiency, and students who are receiving free or reduced price meals. The program, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1996, is now required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The new Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility application addresses recognition of school achievement. The flexibility will allow Maryland to focus on rewarding schools making improvement while redistributing funds to help all schools continue to make improvements.

In the past, Title I elementary and middle schools received modest financial awards for instructional activities and equipment to improve student performance and family involvement. However, this year there are no Title I funds available to support financial awards.

The following Howard County schools received recognition: