Answer Options Not Important Very Response Entering kindergarten to learn 2 5 51 99 157 Elementary school reading and math performance 1 6 47 104 158 Middle school reading and math performance 1 5 43 109 158 High school reading and math performance 2 4 36 116 158 School attendance 2 7 44 106 159 Graduation rate 2 3 35 117 157 High school program completion for students with disabilities 1 15 47 95 158 Youth employment 1 14 54 88 157 Access to college or other post high school education 1 6 42 110 159 Access to post high school vocational training and opportunities 2 2 33 122 159 Bullying and harassment in school 2 10 38 108 158 Other (please specify) 2 answered /skipped question 160/ 9 Other suggested education concerns were bullying (“blown way out of proportion”) and basic work skills and ethics. Regarding the importance of specific community related concerns, “Child maltreatment” was selected most often as “Very Important” (125). For the remaining concerns, topics rated with nearly equal (very) importance were “Child poverty” (114) and “Community crime” (113), followed by “Juvenile crime” (112). Q10. How do you rate the importance of the following COMMUNITY concerns in Caroline County? Answer Options Not Important Somewhat Important Important Very Important Response Juvenile crime and recidivism (repeat offenders) 3 6 39 112 160 maltreatment (neglect and abuse) 0 5 29 125 159 Hunger and access to nutritional meals 1 9 42 107 159 Children placed out of their home due to maltreatment or behavioral challenges 2 5 46 106 159 Homelessness 1 18 41 100 160 Community crime 1 6 38 113 158 Child poverty 2 8 33 114 157 Other (please specify) 4 answered / skipped question 160/ 9
Babies Born Healthy Births To Adolescents Definition: Births to rate per 1,000 women who are 15-19 years of age Source: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maryland Annual Vital Statistics Reports 2011-2013 Significance Teen moms are less likely to finish high school and achieve gainful and equitable employment than women who postpone childbirth until after age 19. Children born to teen moms are challenged as well, with higher risks of infant mortality, low birth weight, premature birth, and developmental delays. Also, children of adolescent parents have a greater chance of living in a household where earnings are at or below poverty level. Analysis Except in Kent County, births to teens have generally decreased between 2011 and 2013. Kent County has the lowest rate of births to teens ages 15-19 and their rate is below the Maryland average. Dorchester has the highest rate in the tri-county area where in 2012, nearly half (46.6) of all births were to adolescents. Note: Dorchester had two births to women under age 15 in 2012. Caroline had 1 in 2011. HEALTH Result Area: Babies Born Healthy Indicator: Early Prenatal Care
EDUCATION Result Area: Children Successful in School Indicator: Grade 3 Academic Performance: Math Definition: Academic Performance - Math Percent of public school students in Grade 3 performing at Proficient or Advanced Level in Math as tested with the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Source: Maryland Department of Education; Maryland Report Card; 2012-2014 Significance The Maryland School Assessment scores indicate a student’s proficiency in math as specified by the Maryland Content Standards. Reading and Math MSA scores are considered primary measures of student school success. Analysis For the three mid-shore counties and Maryland, the percentage of students who achieved proficient or advanced scores on their Grade 3 Math assessment decreased from 2012 to 2014. The forecast shows a continued decline in scores for all jurisdictions. EDUCATION Result Area: Children Successful in School Indicator: 5 Academic Performance: Math Definition: Academic Performance - Math Percent of public school students in Grade 5 performing at Proficient or Advanced Level in Math as tested with the Maryland School Assessment (MSA)
Maryland Department of Education; Maryland Report Card; 2012-2014 Significance The High School Assessment scores indicate a student’s proficiency level in Algebra as specified by the Maryland Content Standards. English and Algebra HSA passing scores are a prerequisite to graduating from high school. Analysis Improvements in the percentage of students passing Math were noted for Caroline and Kent Counties, with both counties achieving results greater than the Maryland average. Dorchester’s percentage of students who passed math, declined slightly from 2013 to 2014. HEALTH Result Area: Healthy Children Indicator: School Attendance School Attendance Rates Definition: School Attendance The percentage of all students who meet the satisfactory attendance requirement of 94% (absent less than approximately 7 days/year) Source: Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Report Card Significance Excessive school absences and especially truancy have a detrimental effect on future opportunities for students and on the community well-being. Excessive absence from school is correlated with academic failure, lower on-time graduation, delinquent behavior, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and other risky behaviors. Some counties include this as Analysis When compared to Maryland averages, school attendance for tri-county elementary and middle school students is slightly lower and this trend has been consistent from 2012-2014. At the high school level, Caroline, Dorchester, and Kent Counties
an indicator for Healthy Children due to the relationship between absences and child health. achieved higher attendance rates than the 2014 Maryland average. EDUCATION Result Area: Children Successful in School Indicator: Truancy (Absent 20+ Days) Definition: Truancy/ 20+ Days of School Absence – All Grades The percentage of school students missing 20 or more days of school Source: Maryland Department of Education; Maryland Report Card; 2012-2014 Significance Excessive school absences and especially truancy can have a detrimental effect on future opportunities for students and on the community Excessive absence from school is correlated with academic failure, lower on-time graduation, delinquent behavior, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and other risky behaviors. Analysis The percent of students absent 20+ days between 2012 and 2013 increased slightly in Caroline County, decreased by 1% in Dorchester County, and decreased by over 1% in Kent County, while Maryland’s percentage increased. All three mid-shore counties had truancy rates higher than the Maryland rate. EDUCATION Result Area: Children Safe in Their Families and Communities Indicator: Bullying and Harassment
They may also develop confidence and behavioral health challenges. had been bullied, was nearly identical. EDUCATION Result Area: Children Completing School Indicator: Dropout Rate Definition: Dropout Rate The percent of public school students, Grades 9-12, who withdrew from school before graduation or before completing a Maryland approved educational program Source: Maryland Department of Education; Maryland Report Card; 2012-2014 Significance Failure to complete high school is closely correlated with decreased employment opportunities, low pay and limited opportunities for advancement. Analysis Caroline County’s dropout rate has crept upward, while Dorchester and Kent’s have decreased to below 3.0. Maryland has achieved the same status of a dropout rate below 3.0. EDUCATION Result Area: Children Completing School Indicator: Graduation Rate
Definition: Juvenile Referrals for Nonviolent Felonies The number of referrals to Juvenile Services among youth ages 10-17 for nonviolent felonies Source: Maryland Department of Juvenile Services; Data Resource Guide 2014 Significance Risk factors for juvenile delinquency include a lack of educational and job training opportunities, poverty, family violence, and inadequate adult supervision. Analysis For Dorchester County, the number of referrals to Juvenile Services for nonviolent offences decreased significantly between 2012 and 2014. Caroline and Kent Counties experienced an increase in referrals in 2013, then declines in referral numbers for nonviolent offences between 2013 and 2014. COMMUNITY Result Area: Children Safe in Their Families and Communities Indicator: Juvenile Referrals for Violent Felonies Definition: Juvenile Referrals for Nonviolent Felonies The number of referrals to Juvenile Services youth ages 10-17 for violent felonies Source: Maryland Department of Juvenile Services; Data Resource Guide 2014 Significance Involvement in violent offenses increases the risk of injury or death. Risk factors for juvenile delinquency include a lack of educational and job training Analysis For Kent County, the number of referrals to Juvenile Services for violent offences decreased significantly between 2012 and 2014. Caroline’s numbers fluctuated, while
opportunities, poverty, family violence, and inadequate adult supervision. Dorchester County experienced a decline in referral numbers for violent offences between 2013 and 2014. COMMUNITY Result Area: Children Safe in Their Families and Communities Indicator: Juvenile Recidivism Definition: Juvenile Recidivism 12 Month Juvenile Justice and/or criminal justice system recidivism rates for 2011 through 2013 releases Source: Maryland Department of Juvenile Services; Data Resource Guide 2014 Significance Risk factors for juvenile delinquency include a lack of educational and job training opportunities, poverty, family violence, and inadequate adult supervision. Analysis The forecast trend line for each jurisdiction is ascending. However, some of the numbers of releases are too small to create a reliable forecast. COMMUNITY Result Area: Stable and Economically Independent Families Indicator: Children Living in Poverty
Definition: Poverty The share (percentage) of children under age 18 who live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level, as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Source: US Census Bureau, Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) Significance Children who grow up in poverty are more likely to have nutritional needs, live in substandard housing, experience crime and violence, lack basic health care, and have unequal access to educational opportunities. Analysis Maryland’s percentage of children living below the federal poverty level has remained steady, while Caroline County’s rate continues to climb. Dorchester has the highest percentage of children living in poverty in the region, with a slight decline in rate noted. Kent’s rate has remained stable. COMMUNITY Result Area: Stable and Economically Independent Families Indicator: Out-of-Home Placements Definition: Out-of-Home Placements Rate of entry per 1,000 children (ages 0-19) placed in out-of-home care by public agencies such as the Department of Social Services or the Department of Juvenile Services Source: Governor’s Office of Children Significance Children need safe and stable homes to thrive. These placements represent children and families with the most Analysis In three of the four jurisdictions, the out-of-home placement rate of entry is on a descending trend. In