WASHINGTON – Teachers across the region are sweating some big changes coming their way and that’s no different in Montgomery County.
This summer, the focus is on the three C’s: Common core curriculum. It’s supposed to educate students on a deeper level and put more rigor in the classroom.
But Montgomery County has another math problem to solve: Why did the school system see such a high rate of failing grades on math exams last year?
More than half, 62 percent, flunked geometry exams and 57 percent failed on Algebra 2.
Montgomery County School Superintendent Joshua Starr says strides are being made before the new school year to address the issue.
“We have a couple different work groups going on. One of the groups is sort of looking at the big picture issues around mathematics,” says Starr.
“I should have the output of that group soon, but they’re working hard, I know with the principals to make sure our kids get the supports they need.”
Starr says the high failure rates on math exams have been the subject of two work groups — one of which is made up of principals and resource teachers.
In Montgomery County, school starts Aug. 26.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @KateRyanWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.