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College and Career Readiness Standard

Overview

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 to transform public education in the state into a world-class education system. Within Blueprint, the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Pillar sets a new CCR Standard that prepares graduates for success in college and the workforce by ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to complete entry-level credit-bearing college courses and work in high-wage and high-demand industries. The Blueprint aims to have all students meet the CCR standard by the end of their 10th grade year, develops CCR-Support pathways to support students in meeting the standard, enables students to enter a Post-CCR pathway that builds on the student’s strengths, develops a Career and Technical Education (CTE) system that is aligned with industry’s needs, and ensures that prekindergarten through 12th grade curriculum, standards, and assessments are all aligned with the new CCR standard.

Meet the CCR Standard

Students can meet the CCR standard through 2 possible options:

Option 1

Students must have:

  1. A cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 at the end of the 10th grade or 11th grade, AND

  2. A final grade of an A, B or C in Algebra 1, OR a Performance Level 3 or 4 on the Algebra 1 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) exam.

Note: For the 2024-2025 school year, initial GPA eligibility for 12th graders began with their cumulative GPA at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Option 2

Students must have:

  1. Earned a Level 3 or 4 on the ELA 10 MCAP, AND
  2. Earned one of the following:
    • Performance Level 2 or 3 on the Early Fall 2021 MCAP Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II exam; Level 3 or 4 on the Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II MCAP exam taken after Spring 2022; Level 4 or 5 on the PARCC Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra II exam, OR
    • A minimum score of 520 on the math portion of the SAT.

Note: SAT data will continue to be added as students assess during the year.


screenshot of CCR Standard graphic showing options for meeting the standard. Original graphic available at https://blueprint.marylandpublicschools.org/ccr-standard/

CCR Standard Status

Check a Student’s Status

Students and parents/guardians can check a student’s CCR status via HCPSS Connect by taking the following steps:

  1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy
  2. Select More Options from the left panel
  3. Select AP Schedule tab
  4. View student’s CCR status, listed directly above the Test Name column

Note: Parents/guardians with multiple children in the school system can toggle under Select Student to choose the applicable student.

Status Not Met

Students showing College and Career Readiness status as “Not Met” (and their parents/guardians) can review their scores for the English and Mathematics exams by:

  1. Logging in to HCPSS Connect Synergy
  2. Select More Options from the left panel
  3. Select Standardized Test Scores tab
  4. Scroll to find scores for ELA and/or Algebra MCAP

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requires a determination of CCR at the end of 10th grade; however students who have not met the status are reevaluated in 11th and 12th grades to determine any changes. Students who have not met the CCR standard can retake the applicable MCAP during any winter or spring administration to earn a Performance Level 3 or 4 and meet the testing requirements. School staff will communicate reassessment options as testing windows approach.

Students’ CCR statuses will be updated throughout the year to capture students who become CCR through reassessment.