News 12 at 11 o'clock, February 23, 2010

HEPHZIBAH, Ga. --- It all adds up. Parents plus an effective curriculum equals higher math scores for students in Richmond County. At an information session held at the Jamestown Community Center, parents learned more about the graduation requirements for math and ways they can help their children achieve success.

In the past Richmond County schools and students have struggled with math scores. Many of them are just barely making the grade. Now parents and students have the "equation" to help them measure up to the standards.

"We want all of our juniors in Richmond County to really be ready for the math," said Glenn Hills High School assistant principal Patricia Moseley. "The other content areas too, but especially that math."

Moseley says she's optimistic Glenn Hills High will continue to improve on its math scores.

"Our math department is doing a great job of having tutoring sessions, we have a great PTSA, and our parents are supporting us," she said.

Moseley attended the math community meeting sponsored by school board members Barbara Pulliam and Patsy Scott. Tuesday night's goal was to inform parents about the great strides in math the county schools have achieved and what needs to be done to continue improving.

"Our research out there is showing that our kids are making gains in math and that's why I love programs like this that our board members are having to get our parents involved," said Moseley.

Moseley is referring to parents like Solonda Bryant. Bryant's two boys are in elementary school at Deer Chase Elementary, but she says she wants to know how to prepare them now - to be stronger in arithmetic.

"I have to be very involved even though I do work a lot," says Bryant. "I take the time to make sure that I check that homework everyday and I"m there to support them."

Administrators from the Richmond County school system presented details about where the county's schools are strongest and where they are weakest. Parents left with ways to help improve the county's math scores by helping their children "measure up" by the numbers.

"You can not function in life, without math, it is very very important, "says Moseley.

Bryant agrees and says the packet of information she was given will come in handy.

"They are really on target here, which makes me know that I have to stay focused as a parent as well," says Bryant.

Last fall the Richmond County School system announced its partnership with Carnegie Learning to develop a new middle school math curriculum. It emphasizes reasoning and real-world connections to math problems. They're calling the partnership a success even though some Richmond County schools are doing better than others. The goal is to get all of the schools to perform ultimately.