Maxwell to start high school reform

County school officials will host a conference this weekend to kick off the process of revamping instruction in the upper grades.

The first high school summit at Annapolis High on Saturday will let parents weigh in on how the county's 12 public high schools can improve.

"It's evidence of collaboration," Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said. "It's an opportunity for us not to assume that we have all the answers."

County elementary schools have seen strong gains in test scores over the past four years, fueled by a new reading and math curriculum brought by former superintendent Eric J. Smith. But middle and high school...