Allegany County Students Make Notable Gains in MCAP Scores, Show Positive Trends

CUMBERLAND, Md. (July 31, 2026) — Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) students met, approached or exceeded statewide proficiency levels across English language arts (ELA), math and science, according to the 2025-26 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) report released this week by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

 Across all tested grades, 53.3% of Allegany County students scored proficient (Performance Levels 3 and 4) in English language arts, 1.6% ahead of the statewide ELA proficiency rate of 51.7%. In mathematics, Allegany County proficiency was 26.6%, roughly even with the statewide rate of 27.1%. In science (grades 5 and 8 combined), county proficiency was 29.1%, which is near the statewide (grades 5 and 8 combined) rate of 31.7%.

 ACPS’s notable highlights include:

• ELA proficiency rates are above the state levels in six of the seven grade levels examined by MCAP. 
•  Math proficiency rates are above the state rate in six of nine assessed areas.
•  Third-grade math rates show a five-year positive trend with an increase of 14% since 2022. 
• A high school science proficiency rate that exceeds the state rate by 3%.

“I am pleased with the continued gains in MCAP performance as well as the efforts made by students and staff during the 2026 testing administration,” said Superintendent Michael J. Martirano, Ed.D. “This data helps us create educational goals both at the system and individual level, which allows us to keep paving the way for students to overcome barriers to learning.” 

 Martirano added that ACPS is analyzing the MCAP results to identify student strengths and gaps in learning, with schools already folding these findings into their 2026-2027 school improvement plans. “We will continue to focus on strong early foundational skills as the essential building blocks that provide the base for future successes. We also recognize that the MCAP is just a snapshot of our county’s children; our goal is to grow the whole child mentally, socially and academically.”

 Allegany County Public Schools maintained strong assessment participation, with 95% or more of eligible students taking the ELA, mathematics and science assessments. Last school year marked the final administration of MCAP. The newly designed Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) will begin during the 2026-27 school year. It includes a shortened test length, improved precision, updated accessibility features and enhanced online reporting for families and educators.

ACPS Media Contact: Kris Kehrwald, Public Information Office, Information Technology Department, 301-759-2031