In Montgomery County schools, no answers yet for failed math exams

In today's Washington Post, by reporter Donna St. George.  Read the entire article here.

Montgomery County schools officials plan to survey students taking high school final exams in math next week about how they prepare for the biggest test of the semester, as school leaders explore the causes of steep failure rates on the countywide tests.

Schools officials say they still have no clear answers for why a majority of 30,000 high school students in the high-performing district failed their finals in key math courses last year. The low grades came to public attention as data about the tests circulated last spring, underscoring a problem that had gone on for years.

A work group studying the issue will make recommendations by March, said Erick J. Lang, associate superintendent for curriculum and instructional programs. A report was expected in November, but the issue has not been easy to unravel, he said.