AP exam help prove college readiness for students

Students in MCPS and Wootton have outperformed in AP exams by earning college-ready scores, proving that they are capable and indeed ready for college according to AP standards. An MCPS press release revealed that in MCPS, 53.1 percent of Class of 2018 graduates have earned a college-ready score of a three or higher on at least one AP exam in high school. The county largely overperforms the statewide average of 31.6 percent and excels the nationwide average of 23.5 percent. Overall participation is up as well. 67.5 percent of 2018 graduates had taken at least one AP exam, also exceeding the statewide and nationwide averages of 49.1 percent and 38.9 percent, respectively. Minority participation continues to rise districtwide. African American graduates who took at least one AP exam increased by 5.1 percent since 2016.

Montgomery County changes child care eligibility rule for residents in need

Lawmakers in Montgomery County announced a $7 million nitiative that raises eligibility for childcare scholarships and kindergarten preparedness. According to News 4 DC, Families earning less than $83,082 will be eligible for the county’s child care subsidy program, called Working Parents Assistance. With childcare costs totaling between $28,000 and $35,000 per child per year, Montgomery County executives hope to assist those who need it. Close to 40 percent of Montgomery County kids live below 300 percent of the federal poverty level of $71,550 income for a family of four, and the county is considering these families economically vulnerable. In addition, lawmakers hope to boost kindergarten preparedness. Executives hope to create around 600 more seats for preschoolers in childcare facilities, in addition to training and licensing 50 new providers and providing resources for new learning spaces.

Student enrollment sees major increase

Racial and educational diversity, as well as total student enrollment, has seen a big increase in the past 20 years in the Montgomery County Public Schools system. Total enrollment around the county has reached 162,680 students in the current school year. The past 10 years have proved that Montgomery County is increasingly diversifying. Today, 31.3 percent of students are of Latino origin, while 20 years ago, Latinos made up only 13.9 percent of the student body. African American presence has remained consistent in the past 20 years – they have seen a 0.6 percent increase in student body makeup, now at 21.6 percent.In 2010, diversity has been expanding to the point where a new category, students of two or more races, was added. Diversity in education programs has also been on the rise. Students who receive special education services have risen to 11.7 percent from 11.2 percent in 2008-09.

-Joaquin Moreno, staff editor