Another example of building community support for local education

Back to School in Baltimore County. Parents Kelly McCargish and Larry Siegel measure the circumference of a ball during a class at New Town High School. (Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor). Oct 10, 2005

The Baltimore Sun ran this article today, "Parents add up to a formula for success: Schools offer algebra refresher classes to adults who want to help their children with homework" about a program in Baltimore County. According to the article:

A Southern California school district and a high school in Ohio have offered refresher courses in math for parents. Ridgely Middle School in Lutherville and several Carroll County schools, such as Westminster's Winters Mill High School, have as well.Winters Mill teacher Kirstie Troutman said she has offered the class for three years, inspired by requests for help at parent conferences. Now, the school also offers a similar class in geometry.Winters Mill sophomore Patrick Garvey, 15, said he benefited when his parents took Troutman's class last fall. "They were able to give me a lot more help with my homework," he said.

Parents from Baltimore County's PTA Council asked the county school system's mathematics curriculum leaders last spring what they could do to help their children with algebra. The math office then worked with parent support services to organize the two three-session courses, held at New Town and Overlea high schools. More than 20 parents signed up for each free Algebra Awareness class, and the school system is considering offering the course again, perhaps in the spring.

Yvonne Matthews (left) and Rosalyn Spencer listen to their teacher during the parents class at New Town High School in Owings Mills. Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor). Oct 10, 2005.