Thousands of students expected for summer school

Droves of students are expected to attend summer school after thousands failed a state-mandated math exam.

Schools are hiring more teachers and expanding class sizes to accommodate the influx.

Officials don’t know how many of the nearly 50,000 eighth graders who failed the math portion of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests will take classes this summer.

Eighth graders must pass the math CRCT before they can be promoted to ninth grade. Summer school isn’t required to take the test, but it is recommended.

Gifted middle schoolers get more credit

Gifted eighth-graders taking high school math can now count their work toward graduation. The state Board of Education has approved the waivers. The waivers benefit high-achieving students in 21 school systems.