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 Edison Schools in Baltimore Excel on State Test Friday, April 12, 2002 Edison Schools announced today that its students in Baltimore have posted outstanding results on the Maryland Functional Test (MFT), surpassing Baltimore City Public School students. All three of the Edison-managed schools - Montebello Elementary, Gilmor Elementary, and Furman L. Templeton Elementary - exceeded the citywide average pass rate for first time test-takers in math, with a system-wide average pass rate that was four times the citywide pass rate. Two of the three Edison schools exceeded the citywide average pass rate for first time test-takers in reading. Administered to all Maryland students in and above the sixth grade, the MFT is the state's required high school graduation minimum competency exam. The three Baltimore Edison schools serve pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. In the math portion of the MFT, a remarkable 44% of Edison sixth graders passed compared to 11% of sixth graders in the Baltimore City Public School System. In reading, 70% of Edison sixth graders met the requirements compared to 63% of sixth graders district-wide. On an individual school basis, Montebello posted the most extraordinary results, with 81% of its 150 sixth graders passing in reading and 58% passing in math. Gilmor and Furman Templeton also showed impressive results, with 72% and 42% of students at Gilmor and 43% and 15% of students at Furman Templeton passing in reading and math, respectively. This is incredibly encouraging news, and an important accomplishment on the part of these three schools, said John Chubb, Edisons Chief Education Officer. "The percentage of these Edison sixth graders passing the Maryland Functional Test is especially compelling because they already have been able to fulfil what is a high school graduation requirement. These achievements show clear evidence that we are making a noticeable difference in the education of Maryland students." Given twice a year, the MFT was given again this week to students in the sixth through twelfth grades who have yet to pass the exam. Edison's system-wide test results in Baltimore are particularly noteworthy as Montebello, Gilmor and Furman have historically been among the lowest performing schools in the city. The three schools have undergone a significant change in academic performance and culture since Edison took over their management in the fall of 2000. Reconstituted by the Maryland State Department of Education, the schools are managed by Edison under a unique arrangement with the State. Due to overwhelming parent demand, a sixth grade was added last year to the schools, which originally served pre-kindergarten through 5th grades. Parents are currently leading similar efforts to expand the Edison program at the three schools. Approximately seven hundred people attended a rally and information meeting two weeks ago to urge for the addition of a seventh grade Edison program for the upcoming school year. Students, parents, and school staff showed their strong support with presentations, musical performances, and moving testimonials.
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