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Board tables McGraw Hill ALEKS renewal after questions about data access and usage
Summary
After extended questioning about usage rates, data sharing and alignment with district plans, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted 6–1 on Oct. 21 to table a one‑year renewal of the McGraw Hill (ALEKS) contract and requested more concrete data and a negotiated data‑sharing agreement before returning the item Nov. 12.
The Montgomery County Board of Education on Oct. 21 voted 6–1 to table a proposed one‑year renewal of McGraw Hill’s ALEKS math program after board members pressed district staff for clearer proof the product is being used, that it will integrate with district performance‑learning plans and that a data‑sharing agreement is in place.
Curtis Rice, who introduced the McGraw Hill item, said the software serves as a diagnostic "knowledge check" that creates personalized pathways for students in upper‑level math and asked for a one‑year renewal so the district could study usage and negotiate data access. "So we're asking for a 1 year renewal so we can do some research and study because we wanna make sure we have the best product for our kids," Rice said during the presentation.
Board members repeatedly pressed for evidence that ALEKS is tied to classroom practice and state assessments. The presenter provided current usage percentages for secondary courses — geometry 36%, Algebra I 29%, Algebra II 48% and precalculus 43% — and acknowledged that the product has not been fully integrated with school PLPs (personalized learning plans) or district assessments.
Dr. Gregory King and other staff said a data sharing agreement (DSA) must be negotiated to allow McGraw Hill to correlate district data with statewide assessment results. "We had to have a DSA agreement for them to actually look at our data," Dr. King said, adding that the district has initiated that process and that correlating real‑time data to ACT and WorkKeys would take time.
Several board members said they were uncomfortable approving a renewal based on "hope." "You said the word 'hope' again. It hasn't been developed yet," Miss Cloud said, urging that contractual assurances and measurable outcomes be secured before committing more funds. Dr. Coleman echoed the concern, saying, "I was a little bit concerned because you used the term 'hope' and we are looking at a contract renewal."
Board members also emphasized implementation fidelity, districtwide standards and timelines: staff noted the vendor subscription expires Nov. 30, which created some urgency to bring the item back quickly. The chair announced the item will return for consideration at the Nov. 12 board meeting.
The motion to table carried 6–1. The board did not vote to approve the contract at the Oct. 21 meeting.
