Schools

Grades Changed After Spike in Failed Algebra Exams

Student report cards were mailed home Friday, June 27, says the Montgomery County schools website, after a delay to change grades for algebra students.

Schools officials told The Washington Post Friday that they added 15 percentage points to all Algebra 1 exam scores after they became aware that already-high rates of failure had risen markedly.

Erick Lang, Montgomery’s associate superintendent for curriculum and instructional programs, told The Washington Post the increased failure rate was likely caused by a loss of instructional time in the spring as teachers readied students for state exams required for graduation.

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Teachers spent two to three weeks in the spring semester preparing students for the state exams.

Lang told the newpaper that school officials added the extra points to students’ grades so they are not penalized for a problem they did not create.

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Students are being offered reteaching and retesting over the summer.

Parents of middle and high school students can access grades online using Edline. Need help activating or using Edline? Contact your child’s school or the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships at 301-279-3100.


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