Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader knows 5th grade math.

Why is it so hard for teachers?

Can we pay kids to be the designated content specialist while licensed early childhood educator does crowd control?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0729/Maryland-College-and-Career-Ready-Standards-for-Math-A.pdf

[Joseph Michael, the president of the Maryland State Board of Education and a former math teacher, explained that the change to the state standards — the first since 2013, put the focus on the need to improve student performance.

He told his colleagues on the board that in 2011, 26% of eighth graders’ math skills in Maryland were rated at below basic, “and today, that number is at 46%, well above the national average.”] -K Ryan wtop

The standards go into effect in the classroom in the 2026-27 school year, giving a chance for each school district to integrate the new approach in their curriculum.

What is MCPS' plan?

Does this 8th grade math statistic need some context? I know when it’s quoted for MCPS people always have to remind that it’s related only to students taking Math8 and doesn’t include the students taking Algebra.

I took a look at the Maryland Report Card, and it is really hard to tell what metrics they are using. It seems like MCAP, but you are correct that the Math 8 score may only be picking up kids who took Math 8, which is not even on-level but rather remedial. My "trick" is to find the data from the absolute most privileged school I can think of, and then see what the numbers look like there to understand where this is a statistical quirk of some kind. Pyle MS has a proficiency rate of 21 percent for Math 8, but 75% for Algebra I, which does support your theory that the statewide Math 8 number is a quirk.

But even if you look at the lower grades, the numbers aren't above 40% proficient across the state. Individual highly segregated schools like Cold Spring, though, are above 75%. So it's not just the test or the curriculum.

Oh I agree that math scores did to improve across the state and frankly nation. I just want to be sure that everyone understands what is making up a score/percentage because that matters when talking about solutions.

My first solution is that all K-2 classes need a half time or full time para educator who can help with small group work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0729/Maryland-College-and-Career-Ready-Standards-for-Math-A.pdf

[Joseph Michael, the president of the Maryland State Board of Education and a former math teacher, explained that the change to the state standards — the first since 2013, put the focus on the need to improve student performance.

He told his colleagues on the board that in 2011, 26% of eighth graders’ math skills in Maryland were rated at below basic, “and today, that number is at 46%, well above the national average.”] -K Ryan wtop

The standards go into effect in the classroom in the 2026-27 school year, giving a chance for each school district to integrate the new approach in their curriculum.

What is MCPS' plan?

Does this 8th grade math statistic need some context? I know when it’s quoted for MCPS people always have to remind that it’s related only to students taking Math8 and doesn’t include the students taking Algebra.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0729/Maryland-College-and-Career-Ready-Standards-for-Math-A.pdf

[Joseph Michael, the president of the Maryland State Board of Education and a former math teacher, explained that the change to the state standards — the first since 2013, put the focus on the need to improve student performance.

He told his colleagues on the board that in 2011, 26% of eighth graders’ math skills in Maryland were rated at below basic, “and today, that number is at 46%, well above the national average.”] -K Ryan wtop

The standards go into effect in the classroom in the 2026-27 school year, giving a chance for each school district to integrate the new approach in their curriculum.

What is MCPS' plan?

Does this 8th grade math statistic need some context? I know when it’s quoted for MCPS people always have to remind that it’s related only to students taking Math8 and doesn’t include the students taking Algebra.

I took a look at the Maryland Report Card, and it is really hard to tell what metrics they are using. It seems like MCAP, but you are correct that the Math 8 score may only be picking up kids who took Math 8, which is not even on-level but rather remedial. My "trick" is to find the data from the absolute most privileged school I can think of, and then see what the numbers look like there to understand where this is a statistical quirk of some kind. Pyle MS has a proficiency rate of 21 percent for Math 8, but 75% for Algebra I, which does support your theory that the statewide Math 8 number is a quirk.

But even if you look at the lower grades, the numbers aren't above 40% proficient across the state. Individual highly segregated schools like Cold Spring, though, are above 75%. So it's not just the test or the curriculum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0729/Maryland-College-and-Career-Ready-Standards-for-Math-A.pdf

[Joseph Michael, the president of the Maryland State Board of Education and a former math teacher, explained that the change to the state standards — the first since 2013, put the focus on the need to improve student performance.

He told his colleagues on the board that in 2011, 26% of eighth graders’ math skills in Maryland were rated at below basic, “and today, that number is at 46%, well above the national average.”] -K Ryan wtop

The standards go into effect in the classroom in the 2026-27 school year, giving a chance for each school district to integrate the new approach in their curriculum.

What is MCPS' plan?

Does this 8th grade math statistic need some context? I know when it’s quoted for MCPS people always have to remind that it’s related only to students taking Math8 and doesn’t include the students taking Algebra.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0729/Maryland-College-and-Career-Ready-Standards-for-Math-A.pdf

[Joseph Michael, the president of the Maryland State Board of Education and a former math teacher, explained that the change to the state standards — the first since 2013, put the focus on the need to improve student performance.

He told his colleagues on the board that in 2011, 26% of eighth graders’ math skills in Maryland were rated at below basic, “and today, that number is at 46%, well above the national average.”] -K Ryan wtop

The standards go into effect in the classroom in the 2026-27 school year, giving a chance for each school district to integrate the new approach in their curriculum.

What is MCPS' plan?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hire teachers to teach only math in ES. Just as you have in secondary schools.

Yes. That appears to be the right solution, since the generalist approach is not working.

MSDE doesn’t certify elementary teachers to just teach math or ELA. So even if you departmentalize at the ES level (like some schools already do) you would need to provide ongoing PD

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of PhD holders and other content matter experts in Fed could use a job. Would they like to teach the young ones?

No they wouldn't at the pay isn't good and that's not their expertise. Why don't you teach?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of PhD holders and other content matter experts in Fed could use a job. Would they like to teach the young ones?

No they wouldn't at the pay isn't good and that's not their expertise. Why don't you teach?

Anonymous wrote:What MAJOR changes are coming to the Literacy standards?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hire teachers to teach only math in ES. Just as you have in secondary schools.

Yes. That appears to be the right solution, since the generalist approach is not working.

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of PhD holders and other content matter experts in Fed could use a job. Would they like to teach the young ones?