SALISBURY, Md.- One-third of Maryland students who attend Maryland colleges are forced to take remedial math courses before they can take a credited class, according to a study conducted by the Baltimore-based Abell Foundation.

Tracy Sahler, who serves as public information officer for Wicomico County Public Schools, said the county follows the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum for High School Mathematics.  Sahler said the curriculum adheres very closely with the Maryland State Assessment and the High School Assessment.

"It's important that our curriculum match up so our students have the opportunity to do well on those exams," Sahler said.

Salisbury University Department of Mathematics Chair Michael Bardzell said the state-mandated exams are part of the problem.

"A lot of teachers are feeling a lot more pressure to really teach specifically to those tests," Bardzell said. 

Bardzell said students are exposed to the content, but they are not getting enough time to master specific math skills. 

"So, I think doing less, better may be the key," Bardzell said.

SU's math department is piloting a program that assesses math skills of incoming freshmen.  The online program determines a student's math level.

Dr. Robert Tardiff, associate provost and professor of mathematics at SU, said 1,112 of the 1,300 incoming freshmen chose to participate in the program.