In partnership with The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, Frederick County has recorded marked improvements in both reading and math proficiency.
According to recent test scores, Frederick rose from 49.5% proficient in reading in 2018, to 60% proficient in 2023 — 12 points above the state average. Impressive gains were also seen in math scores, particularly for historically marginalized communities and students of color. The district’s success appears to hinge on a partnership that began in 2017 with The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning.
According to a recent article by the education research non-profit The 74 Million, the program focused on teaching educators, instructional coaches, and leaders about the major principles of the science of learning. This included a great deal of neurological information on how memory works and its pivotal role in academic learning as well as how to create classroom environments that reduce obstacles and distractions for effective information retention and testing.
From the article:
“As a district, we’ve been talking about achievement gaps for a long time,” said Margaret Lee, Frederick County’s director of organizational development who has led the charge toward the science of learning. “I’ve seen it in every role that I’ve had, always looking at what could make the difference. Like every district in America, every silver bullet that people thought up had been peddled to us. It started to frustrate me that none of these things were making a difference, and that was a catalyst that led us here.”
The success of evidence-based practices like the science of learning is based in cognitive science and often aimed at closing achievement gaps while better preparing students for the future.
