CMS Working to Improve Graduation Rate

This afternoon, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools' leaders are considering several new ways to make sure more kids are graduating from high school.

Superintendent Peter Gorman just announced that CMS is getting some help from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

It is a grant to help train teachers to use data to improve lessons.

The $1.4 million grant will help teachers interpret test scores and grades to fine tune their lessons.

Right now, the program will focus on the CMS Achievement Zone Schools: Garinger, Midwood, Waddell, West Charlotte and West Mecklenburg.

The program requires each of those schools have a data analyst to help teachers interpret students' scores.

Meanwhile, the CMS board is considering changing the number of credits needed to graduate.

During last night's meeting some board members suggested cutting the number of credits needed to graduate high school.

Right now CMS requires 28 credits to graduate, but North Carolina only requires 20.

Some board members say it would be cheaper to require fewer credits, and they point out the extra credits are often electives.

But others say the requirements should stay the same.