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So much for O'Malley's education plan
Baltimore City schools are in a shambles, according to state-published data, but O'Malley, after five years as mayor, claims he has an education plan that will improve schools over the entire state? What's he been doing at City Hall, then?
Quoting The Examiner: [emphasis and commentary added]
Sixty-four elementary and middle schools in Baltimore city were designated as needing improvement. Forty-five of those have not met standards for several years running and must implement restructuring plans.
Among those are the seven middle schools that state Superintendent Nancy Grasmick tried to take over this year; she was blocked by Democrats in the General Assembly in a move that has provided ammunition to Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich's re-election campaign. Ehrlich's Democratic opponent, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, contends that city schools face huge challenges but are improving and shouldn't face undue state interference.
Check the city school figures and decide for yourself.
The animosity between the governor and the mayor continued Wednesday, when Ehrlich refused to reappoint the city school board chairman and two other board members recommended by O'Malley. Explaining his action, the governor cited underperforming schools, social promotion in elementary and middle schools and the board's recent decision to lower the minimum passing grades in key subjects.
Steve Kearney, a spokesman for O'Malley, responded in a statement that Ehrlich's move was "just another political stunt at the expense of Baltimore's students" and noted Grasmick supported the change in grading policy, which brings the city in line with most Maryland school systems.
*** Beyond Baltimore and Prince George's, the number of troubled schools drops off precipitously. Montgomery County has 12 schools that need improvement, but none of those has failed to show AYP for more than three years running. Baltimore County has six schools that need improvement; Anne Arundel County has five. Howard County has none - the only jurisdiction in central Maryland or the Washington suburbs with that distinction.