John Dickert, via a kind email

1. The problem concerns the results of the half year exams given at the end of January. I have not heard anything on what the results are for the end of year exams.
2. This problem has been building up over 5 years.
3. These are county wide tests. I’m not sure what information about the range of coverage is given to teachers. One article I read spoke to the issue that not enough time is allotted for covering important topics.
4. Honors classes do better than regular classes, but the results are still not good. One (make that I) also wonders why honors classes are tested on the same materials as regular classes.
5. Not enough emphasis is given to the disconnect between what is taught and what is tested.
6. This is not a situation that would encourage students to continue in STEM disciplines.

Montgomery considers multiple factors in math exam failure rates.
Large percentages of Montgomery students fail final exams in English, history and biology
Links: Biology English Math