State set to keep MS math minutes requirement that will likely cut electives (but delaying it a year)

[Anonymous]

How does a 6-period day even allow for enough time? Would middle school really go from 7 x 42 = 294 min to 6 x 60 = 360 min a day of classroom teaching?

Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think they have time in the school day for six 60 min classes. 6x60 is 360 and 7x45 is only 315. If all classes are 60 min I don’t think they can fit even 6 of them into the day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite all the opposition, MSDE appears to be doubling down on keeping the middle school 60-daily-minutes-of-math requirement, although they are at least planning on delaying it a year (starting in fall 2028 rather than fall 2027.) See here (page 21-22 and page 47)-- the committee will vote on it this Thursday and then the full board will likely vote next Tuesday to put it out for public comment, before finalizing it in July.

However, I suspect MCPS will go ahead with implementing it in the 2027-2028 school year anyway because Central Office wants to get all middle schools and high schools on the same schedule starting in fall 2027 and they're not going to want to change the schedules a second time in 2028.  My guess is that unless MSDE repeals the requirement, MCPS will probably go with a 6-period middle school schedule with only one elective starting in 2027 (or some similar change that also results in just one elective per year in MS), and they will probably announce it by this fall at the earliest to give middle schools enough time to prep for the change.  So unless MSDE repeals this in the next few months, it may well be too late to change anything at MCPS.  

It is very frustrating.  I was hoping the state would relent on this requirement for 60 minutes of math daily in middle school (which no other state does) after all the powerful testimony they've received from teachers of electives, social studies, and science regarding the harmful impacts of such a requirement in middle school.  Apparently they are too stubborn to do so.  At this point I think people who care about this need to focus hard on expressing our alarm to state legislators and asking them to push MSDE to roll this back (plus make clear they will consider overturning this in law next year if MSDE doesn't change course.)  

You can also e-mail State Board of Ed members before the votes-- here is the full list, and the Montgomery County members are: peggy.carr [at] maryland.gov, samir.paul [at] maryland.gov, and nicole.murraylewis [at] maryland.gov  (who's apparently a history teacher at Blake, if anyone knows her personally and can appeal to her directly on this topic)-- and/or sign up to testify at next Tuesday's state Board of Ed meeting (in person, virtually, or through written testimony, although I think the written testimony generally gets ignored): [url]https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/pages/publiccomment.aspx
[/url]
(And then of course folks should weigh in through whatever "public comment" process they put out there over the next few weeks-- but there are a bunch of other revisions to the policy that will be part of that as well, and folks shouldn't have any illusions that "public comment" alone will get this repealed.)

I think MCPS will gladly take the extra year to figure out any 60-minute math mandate for MS. That said, such a mandate for all students at that level is folly, and MSDE should adopt a more nuanced approach to ensuring MS math success, one that recognizes the limitations and impact of period scheduling.

I don't think MCPS needs to have MS and HS on the same schedule. Where did you see that? If that was the case and MS needed to go to 6 periods, then HS also goes to 6 periods? I mean, they really should be embracing a uniform 8-period block schedule with one period allowed, but not required, to be study hall to facilitate more meaningful magnets and the like.

MCPS presented the plan to have a single MS schedule (and a single HS schedule) in SY 2027-2028 at the Board work session in early June. Maybe it will get moved back by a year if the state delays the requirement, but it’s definitely planned.

“What we anticipate for 2027–2028 and Beyond
● Standardized High School Schedule to meet
cross-school academic needs
● Standardized Middle School Schedule to meet
State math requirement”

See slide 20 in the BOE presentation: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DUQRCG6D5696/$file/Leveling%20Up%202026-2027%20and%20Beyond%20260604%20PPT%20REV.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite all the opposition, MSDE appears to be doubling down on keeping the middle school 60-daily-minutes-of-math requirement, although they are at least planning on delaying it a year (starting in fall 2028 rather than fall 2027.) See here (page 21-22 and page 47)-- the committee will vote on it this Thursday and then the full board will likely vote next Tuesday to put it out for public comment, before finalizing it in July.

However, I suspect MCPS will go ahead with implementing it in the 2027-2028 school year anyway because Central Office wants to get all middle schools and high schools on the same schedule starting in fall 2027 and they're not going to want to change the schedules a second time in 2028.  My guess is that unless MSDE repeals the requirement, MCPS will probably go with a 6-period middle school schedule with only one elective starting in 2027 (or some similar change that also results in just one elective per year in MS), and they will probably announce it by this fall at the earliest to give middle schools enough time to prep for the change.  So unless MSDE repeals this in the next few months, it may well be too late to change anything at MCPS.  

It is very frustrating.  I was hoping the state would relent on this requirement for 60 minutes of math daily in middle school (which no other state does) after all the powerful testimony they've received from teachers of electives, social studies, and science regarding the harmful impacts of such a requirement in middle school.  Apparently they are too stubborn to do so.  At this point I think people who care about this need to focus hard on expressing our alarm to state legislators and asking them to push MSDE to roll this back (plus make clear they will consider overturning this in law next year if MSDE doesn't change course.)  

You can also e-mail State Board of Ed members before the votes-- here is the full list, and the Montgomery County members are: peggy.carr [at] maryland.gov, samir.paul [at] maryland.gov, and nicole.murraylewis [at] maryland.gov  (who's apparently a history teacher at Blake, if anyone knows her personally and can appeal to her directly on this topic)-- and/or sign up to testify at next Tuesday's state Board of Ed meeting (in person, virtually, or through written testimony, although I think the written testimony generally gets ignored): [url]https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/pages/publiccomment.aspx
[/url]
(And then of course folks should weigh in through whatever "public comment" process they put out there over the next few weeks-- but there are a bunch of other revisions to the policy that will be part of that as well, and folks shouldn't have any illusions that "public comment" alone will get this repealed.)

I think MCPS will gladly take the extra year to figure out any 60-minute math mandate for MS. That said, such a mandate for all students at that level is folly, and MSDE should adopt a more nuanced approach to ensuring MS math success, one that recognizes the limitations and impact of period scheduling.

I don't think MCPS needs to have MS and HS on the same schedule. Where did you see that? If that was the case and MS needed to go to 6 periods, then HS also goes to 6 periods? I mean, they really should be embracing a uniform 8-period block schedule with one period allowed, but not required, to be study hall to facilitate more meaningful magnets and the like.

MCPS presented the plan to have a single MS schedule (and a single HS schedule) in SY 2027-2028 at the Board work session in early June. Maybe it will get moved back by a year if the state delays the requirement, but it’s definitely planned.

“What we anticipate for 2027–2028 and Beyond
● Standardized High School Schedule to meet
cross-school academic needs
● Standardized Middle School Schedule to meet
State math requirement”

See slide 20 in the BOE presentation: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DUQRCG6D5696/$file/Leveling%20Up%202026-2027%20and%20Beyond%20260604%20PPT%20REV.pdf

Thanks. That MCPS presentation to the BOE would have been prepped weeks before, though, even if adjusted/posted at the last minute (too often the case!). And the MSDE shift by a year of the 60-min in MS requirement isn't even an official recommendation from MSDE to the Maryland BOE yet. That is expected to come on Thursday.

From scuttlebutt, MCPS has had inklings of the shift, but probably can't put any of that in writing or in a presentation until there is something official from the state. With all that is going on for 2027-28, I've got to think they would welcome the chance to delay that bit of scheduling, especially given how disruptive it would be.

[Anonymous]

At the in-person math meeting last week, MCPS staff said implementation of the 60 minute requirement for middle schools was on hold pending state guidance.

Also at the webinar for the high school regional programs, they said the plan is for all the SMCS programs to have an eighth period. Not sure how this works out with the rest of the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think they have time in the school day for six 60 min classes. 6x60 is 360 and 7x45 is only 315. If all classes are 60 min I don’t think they can fit even 6 of them into the day

There are 405 minutes in the middle school day. If they cut advisory (or find a way to work it into the schedule during one of the 6 periods rather than on top of the periods) they could do it.

[Anonymous]

To provide 60 minutes of daily math without cutting electives, Maryland middle schools can utilize scheduling adjustments like modular block scheduling, hybrid A/B schedules, or integrated cross-curricular teaching. These methods carve out the required instruction time without forcing schools to drop exploratory or elective courses.

Modular / Flexible Block Scheduling: Instead of traditional 45-minute periods, schools use block scheduling to create larger instructional blocks (e.g., 90-minute blocks that rotate). This allows math to receive the required 60 minutes while still providing room for electives throughout the week.

A/B or Hybrid Schedules: This alternates class schedules over a two-week period. Schools can schedule math every day for 60 minutes, and rotate electives on an A-day/B-day basis, allowing students to take more electives overall.

Cross-Curricular Integration: Schools embed math standards into elective or encore subjects (such as STEM, tech education, or art). This reinforces mathematical concepts through project-based learning and frees up dedicated periods in the master schedule.

Flexible Intervention Periods: Instead of pulling students out of electives for math remediation, schools build a dedicated "intervention/advisory block" into the daily schedule. Math support and enrichment can happen during this time without encroaching on elective periods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To provide 60 minutes of daily math without cutting electives, Maryland middle schools can utilize scheduling adjustments like modular block scheduling, hybrid A/B schedules, or integrated cross-curricular teaching. These methods carve out the required instruction time without forcing schools to drop exploratory or elective courses.

Modular / Flexible Block Scheduling: Instead of traditional 45-minute periods, schools use block scheduling to create larger instructional blocks (e.g., 90-minute blocks that rotate). This allows math to receive the required 60 minutes while still providing room for electives throughout the week.

A/B or Hybrid Schedules: This alternates class schedules over a two-week period. Schools can schedule math every day for 60 minutes, and rotate electives on an A-day/B-day basis, allowing students to take more electives overall.

Cross-Curricular Integration: Schools embed math standards into elective or encore subjects (such as STEM, tech education, or art). This reinforces mathematical concepts through project-based learning and frees up dedicated periods in the master schedule.

Flexible Intervention Periods: Instead of pulling students out of electives for math remediation, schools build a dedicated "intervention/advisory block" into the daily schedule. Math support and enrichment can happen during this time without encroaching on elective periods.

1) There are a ton of things in this post that are not allowable under MSDE requirements. It does not appear to be written by someone with any familiarity with the policy/requirements.

2) Is this AI slop? Please don't post AI slop anywhere, but especially when people are having an important conversation. Use your own brain and your own words. Also that would hopefully address the issue in #1 where you are posting things that are not allowed under MSDE policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, what about an 8 period day with 7 or 8 periods a week of math? That seems better than six 60-minute periods, given pre-teen attention spans.

Figuring out 7 or 8 periods a week of math would be too complicated schedule-wise... if they did an 8 period day (or block schedule) it would probably be double-period math. But that would then make every other class shorter, which I don't think they would be willing to do for ELA at least (there are rumors the state will require 60 minutes of ELA in middle school soon too.)

A block schedule doesn't have 8 periods in a day. It has 4 periods, with classes taken every other day, covering 8 class periods, total. With an MS advisory part-period of about a half hour, they get 80 minutes for each class period. Over 2 weeks/10 days, those 5 periods for a particular class total 400 minutes. They'd need 600 to get to the MSDE mandate (300 per week of Math instruction), whenever it would be, so making one period a support block, with half the time for Math and half the time for ELA, gets you to exactly the minutes that would be required if MSDE was married to the idea for Math and was planning it for English, too.

With the more common schedule of 7 periods in a day, there are about 43 minutes for each class when there is an advisory part-period. Over the same 2 weeks, that's 430 minutes for one subject (vs. the 400 minutes, above), but with nothing that really could easily be used to get to that 300 minutes per week/600 per 2 weeks without completely sacrificing advisory for additional Math, and that wouldn't have enough left over if they added the ELA minutes requirement.

Block also spends less ineffective startup time at the beginning of class because that only occurs 5 times over the 2 weeks instead of 10 with the 7-period-daily schedule, negating the perceived minutes advantage of the 7-period schedule: on paper, it's 430 vs. 400 over 2 weeks, but probably losing 5 minutes every other day on a relative basis (10 class startups vs. 5) / 25 minutes over the two weeks of effective learning time. And the fewer transitions each day in a block schedule also help add minutes to instruction, overall (i.e., for other classes).

Why go to 6 periods or some crazy asymmetric schedule when there's a scheduling solution that works so well already where it's been employed at some MS magnets? The contract with the teacher's union would need to be adjusted to hash out relative burden vs. planning periods, etc., but that has to happen anyway.

And that's not even considering the benefit of a possible elective or study hall period in block if MSDE comes to its senses and realizes that, while some students clearly will benefit from the extra Math (and possibly ELA) time, others really, really don't need that, and even will be turned off from the subjects if forced to spend less meaningful time there when they don't need the support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To provide 60 minutes of daily math without cutting electives, Maryland middle schools can utilize scheduling adjustments like modular block scheduling, hybrid A/B schedules, or integrated cross-curricular teaching. These methods carve out the required instruction time without forcing schools to drop exploratory or elective courses.

Modular / Flexible Block Scheduling: Instead of traditional 45-minute periods, schools use block scheduling to create larger instructional blocks (e.g., 90-minute blocks that rotate). This allows math to receive the required 60 minutes while still providing room for electives throughout the week.

A/B or Hybrid Schedules: This alternates class schedules over a two-week period. Schools can schedule math every day for 60 minutes, and rotate electives on an A-day/B-day basis, allowing students to take more electives overall.

Cross-Curricular Integration: Schools embed math standards into elective or encore subjects (such as STEM, tech education, or art). This reinforces mathematical concepts through project-based learning and frees up dedicated periods in the master schedule.

Flexible Intervention Periods: Instead of pulling students out of electives for math remediation, schools build a dedicated "intervention/advisory block" into the daily schedule. Math support and enrichment can happen during this time without encroaching on elective periods.

1) There are a ton of things in this post that are not allowable under MSDE requirements. It does not appear to be written by someone with any familiarity with the policy/requirements.

2) Is this AI slop? Please don't post AI slop anywhere, but especially when people are having an important conversation. Use your own brain and your own words. Also that would hopefully address the issue in #1 where you are posting things that are not allowed under MSDE policy.

Not that PP, but I'm guessing that was copied from the MSDE guidance thus far to LEAs on the 60-minute rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To provide 60 minutes of daily math without cutting electives, Maryland middle schools can utilize scheduling adjustments like modular block scheduling, hybrid A/B schedules, or integrated cross-curricular teaching. These methods carve out the required instruction time without forcing schools to drop exploratory or elective courses.

Modular / Flexible Block Scheduling: Instead of traditional 45-minute periods, schools use block scheduling to create larger instructional blocks (e.g., 90-minute blocks that rotate). This allows math to receive the required 60 minutes while still providing room for electives throughout the week.

A/B or Hybrid Schedules: This alternates class schedules over a two-week period. Schools can schedule math every day for 60 minutes, and rotate electives on an A-day/B-day basis, allowing students to take more electives overall.

Cross-Curricular Integration: Schools embed math standards into elective or encore subjects (such as STEM, tech education, or art). This reinforces mathematical concepts through project-based learning and frees up dedicated periods in the master schedule.

Flexible Intervention Periods: Instead of pulling students out of electives for math remediation, schools build a dedicated "intervention/advisory block" into the daily schedule. Math support and enrichment can happen during this time without encroaching on elective periods.

1) There are a ton of things in this post that are not allowable under MSDE requirements. It does not appear to be written by someone with any familiarity with the policy/requirements.

2) Is this AI slop? Please don't post AI slop anywhere, but especially when people are having an important conversation. Use your own brain and your own words. Also that would hopefully address the issue in #1 where you are posting things that are not allowed under MSDE policy.

I looked up the MSDE policy and it does not appear was to prohibit the above. Can you link to the document you are referring to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite all the opposition, MSDE appears to be doubling down on keeping the middle school 60-daily-minutes-of-math requirement, although they are at least planning on delaying it a year (starting in fall 2028 rather than fall 2027.) See here (page 21-22 and page 47)-- the committee will vote on it this Thursday and then the full board will likely vote next Tuesday to put it out for public comment, before finalizing it in July.

However, I suspect MCPS will go ahead with implementing it in the 2027-2028 school year anyway because Central Office wants to get all middle schools and high schools on the same schedule starting in fall 2027 and they're not going to want to change the schedules a second time in 2028.  My guess is that unless MSDE repeals the requirement, MCPS will probably go with a 6-period middle school schedule with only one elective starting in 2027 (or some similar change that also results in just one elective per year in MS), and they will probably announce it by this fall at the earliest to give middle schools enough time to prep for the change.  So unless MSDE repeals this in the next few months, it may well be too late to change anything at MCPS.  

It is very frustrating.  I was hoping the state would relent on this requirement for 60 minutes of math daily in middle school (which no other state does) after all the powerful testimony they've received from teachers of electives, social studies, and science regarding the harmful impacts of such a requirement in middle school.  Apparently they are too stubborn to do so.  At this point I think people who care about this need to focus hard on expressing our alarm to state legislators and asking them to push MSDE to roll this back (plus make clear they will consider overturning this in law next year if MSDE doesn't change course.)  

You can also e-mail State Board of Ed members before the votes-- here is the full list, and the Montgomery County members are: peggy.carr [at] maryland.gov, samir.paul [at] maryland.gov, and nicole.murraylewis [at] maryland.gov  (who's apparently a history teacher at Blake, if anyone knows her personally and can appeal to her directly on this topic)-- and/or sign up to testify at next Tuesday's state Board of Ed meeting (in person, virtually, or through written testimony, although I think the written testimony generally gets ignored): [url]https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/pages/publiccomment.aspx
[/url]
(And then of course folks should weigh in through whatever "public comment" process they put out there over the next few weeks-- but there are a bunch of other revisions to the policy that will be part of that as well, and folks shouldn't have any illusions that "public comment" alone will get this repealed.)

I think MCPS will gladly take the extra year to figure out any 60-minute math mandate for MS. That said, such a mandate for all students at that level is folly, and MSDE should adopt a more nuanced approach to ensuring MS math success, one that recognizes the limitations and impact of period scheduling.

I don't think MCPS needs to have MS and HS on the same schedule. Where did you see that? If that was the case and MS needed to go to 6 periods, then HS also goes to 6 periods? I mean, they really should be embracing a uniform 8-period block schedule with one period allowed, but not required, to be study hall to facilitate more meaningful magnets and the like.

MCPS presented the plan to have a single MS schedule (and a single HS schedule) in SY 2027-2028 at the Board work session in early June. Maybe it will get moved back by a year if the state delays the requirement, but it’s definitely planned.

“What we anticipate for 2027–2028 and Beyond
● Standardized High School Schedule to meet
cross-school academic needs
● Standardized Middle School Schedule to meet
State math requirement”

See slide 20 in the BOE presentation: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DUQRCG6D5696/$file/Leveling%20Up%202026-2027%20and%20Beyond%20260604%20PPT%20REV.pdf

Thanks. That MCPS presentation to the BOE would have been prepped weeks before, though, even if adjusted/posted at the last minute (too often the case!). And the MSDE shift by a year of the 60-min in MS requirement isn't even an official recommendation from MSDE to the Maryland BOE yet. That is expected to come on Thursday.

From scuttlebutt, MCPS has had inklings of the shift, but probably can't put any of that in writing or in a presentation until there is something official from the state. With all that is going on for 2027-28, I've got to think they would welcome the chance to delay that bit of scheduling, especially given how disruptive it would be.

You would think that, but they are saying they won’t delay the integrated algebra rollout even if the state allows it. They are going with the “rip the bandaid off” approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite all the opposition, MSDE appears to be doubling down on keeping the middle school 60-daily-minutes-of-math requirement, although they are at least planning on delaying it a year (starting in fall 2028 rather than fall 2027.) See here (page 21-22 and page 47)-- the committee will vote on it this Thursday and then the full board will likely vote next Tuesday to put it out for public comment, before finalizing it in July.

However, I suspect MCPS will go ahead with implementing it in the 2027-2028 school year anyway because Central Office wants to get all middle schools and high schools on the same schedule starting in fall 2027 and they're not going to want to change the schedules a second time in 2028.  My guess is that unless MSDE repeals the requirement, MCPS will probably go with a 6-period middle school schedule with only one elective starting in 2027 (or some similar change that also results in just one elective per year in MS), and they will probably announce it by this fall at the earliest to give middle schools enough time to prep for the change.  So unless MSDE repeals this in the next few months, it may well be too late to change anything at MCPS.  

It is very frustrating.  I was hoping the state would relent on this requirement for 60 minutes of math daily in middle school (which no other state does) after all the powerful testimony they've received from teachers of electives, social studies, and science regarding the harmful impacts of such a requirement in middle school.  Apparently they are too stubborn to do so.  At this point I think people who care about this need to focus hard on expressing our alarm to state legislators and asking them to push MSDE to roll this back (plus make clear they will consider overturning this in law next year if MSDE doesn't change course.)  

You can also e-mail State Board of Ed members before the votes-- here is the full list, and the Montgomery County members are: peggy.carr [at] maryland.gov, samir.paul [at] maryland.gov, and nicole.murraylewis [at] maryland.gov  (who's apparently a history teacher at Blake, if anyone knows her personally and can appeal to her directly on this topic)-- and/or sign up to testify at next Tuesday's state Board of Ed meeting (in person, virtually, or through written testimony, although I think the written testimony generally gets ignored): [url]https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/pages/publiccomment.aspx
[/url]
(And then of course folks should weigh in through whatever "public comment" process they put out there over the next few weeks-- but there are a bunch of other revisions to the policy that will be part of that as well, and folks shouldn't have any illusions that "public comment" alone will get this repealed.)

I think MCPS will gladly take the extra year to figure out any 60-minute math mandate for MS. That said, such a mandate for all students at that level is folly, and MSDE should adopt a more nuanced approach to ensuring MS math success, one that recognizes the limitations and impact of period scheduling.

I don't think MCPS needs to have MS and HS on the same schedule. Where did you see that? If that was the case and MS needed to go to 6 periods, then HS also goes to 6 periods? I mean, they really should be embracing a uniform 8-period block schedule with one period allowed, but not required, to be study hall to facilitate more meaningful magnets and the like.

MCPS presented the plan to have a single MS schedule (and a single HS schedule) in SY 2027-2028 at the Board work session in early June. Maybe it will get moved back by a year if the state delays the requirement, but it’s definitely planned.

“What we anticipate for 2027–2028 and Beyond
● Standardized High School Schedule to meet
cross-school academic needs
● Standardized Middle School Schedule to meet
State math requirement”

See slide 20 in the BOE presentation: https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DUQRCG6D5696/$file/Leveling%20Up%202026-2027%20and%20Beyond%20260604%20PPT%20REV.pdf

Thanks. That MCPS presentation to the BOE would have been prepped weeks before, though, even if adjusted/posted at the last minute (too often the case!). And the MSDE shift by a year of the 60-min in MS requirement isn't even an official recommendation from MSDE to the Maryland BOE yet. That is expected to come on Thursday.

From scuttlebutt, MCPS has had inklings of the shift, but probably can't put any of that in writing or in a presentation until there is something official from the state. With all that is going on for 2027-28, I've got to think they would welcome the chance to delay that bit of scheduling, especially given how disruptive it would be.

You would think that, but they are saying they won’t delay the integrated algebra rollout even if the state allows it. They are going with the “rip the bandaid off” approach.

Understood, there, but the 60-minutes in MS is a whole other thing.

Integrated Algebra and the post-IA options are in line with their philosophy/what they want to do and the curriculum they're getting, even if it might mean a harder time in precalc (though they may see that as an eventual good to discourage the continued push for acceleration). Moving forward with it earlier than required is something they likely would pursue, especially if the curricular purchase lines up.

The 300 minutes of Math/week in MS rule is a huge impediment to operations (staffing, scheduling, etc. -- all costing quite a bit), even if it might make a marginal difference in the test scores by which they are judging themselves, now. That, they might want to hold off on as long as they can, or even seek to scuttle (or at least modify) at the state level.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn’t we rather have a “complicated” schedule, rather than MCPS just using the state mandate on math as a guise/excuse for gutting things?

[Anonymous]

Is HS math changes for today’s 7th graders or are they grandfathered?