Wake school board stands by MVP math review, says it did not violate law, rules or policy

Karen Carter, one of many parents who say the program has caused their children to struggle with math, asked the board to review MVP and how the school system handled parents' complaints about it.

Board members discussed the appeal in closed session last month and discussed it in closed session again Tuesday evening before announcing their response.

"The board recognizes that there is a need for enhanced communication between the administration and teachers, between teachers and students and parents and between WCPSS and parents and the broader community with respect to the curriculum, its implementation and support resources available," board chair Jim Martin said.

The board voted Tuesday to have an outside company, MGT of America Consulting, review MVP math. The review will include classroom visits, analysis of student work, in-depth data review, and focus groups. The total cost of the project will not exceed $125,000.

Teacher Tashima Price said she understands why some parents may feel like there is a disconnect between teachers and students, but she has been pleased with the new program.

"I feel like now ... I interact more because it is student-centered, and I'm able to walk around and see what's going on in the classroom," Price said.

Student Logan Chavis said the new curriculum puts more responsibility on students.

"It's more like you do it yourself because we get more workbooks than the teacher teaching that to us," Chavis said. "But they still teach a good amount to us."

At Tuesday's school board meeting, parents shared their children's struggles with the program, including an Apex mother who said two of her sons used to excel at math and loved the subject. One son even dreamed of going to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But as a natural introvert, he struggled with the constant group work done in math class.

"My son (now) hates math. He has abandoned his dream of going to MIT," Hajnalka Klieman said, choking up as she spoke.

MVP math suing Wake County parent for 'libel and slander' after he criticized program

An attorney for the Utah-based MVP said the company decided to sue parent Blain Dillard after he made "false statements" about the company. Dillard says he is "innocent of all allegations and can defend each and every point made in the summons."

Dillard said MVP's lawsuit "is an attempt at intimidation and bullying to silence my and other parents' free speech advocating for our children's education." His supporters have created a GoFundMe page to raise $20,000 for his defense against MVP. As of Tuesday, they have raised more than $8,000.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Dillard walked up to the microphone during public comment, placed tape over his mouth and held up signs about the first amendment and said he doesn't want to be sued again.

Emotions flare as Wake school board defends controversial MVP math program

Committee members did recommend some changes, including more professional development for teachers and support materials for students. But some parents who reviewed the report said they were still not pleased with the school system's response and questioned the accuracy of the report.