Legum’s New Line

I just received the news that my candidacy for State Delegate has been endorsed by Maryland’s teachers.

I believe that, even in times of economic uncertainty, we must continue to invest in our public schools system. It is the foundation of all future economic growth.

We also need to focus more time and resources in the classroom, establish real standards and accountability for students and schools, better training and pay for teachers, and stronger links between schools and the communities they serve.

I’m proud that Maryland’s teachers have confidence that I can get the job done.

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Yesterday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued a press release revealing that Maryland, along with 27 other states, has yet to apply for federal education funds available through the stimulus package, potentially leaving billions of dollars on the table. From the release:

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today urged states to submit applications for State Fiscal Stabilization Funds as quickly as possible, saying teaching jobs are at risk and reforms must move forward.

“We have an urgent need to reform our schools and prevent teacher layoffs,” said Duncan. “The Department is turning around applications within nine days on average. States that have not yet applied need to do so now.”

Of the over $100 billion stimulus dollars designated for education, $48.6 billion was designated for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. On April 1, the first $32.6 billion was made available. This includes $26.6 billion exclusively for K-12 and higher education and $6 billion for education, public safety or other government services.

So far, nearly $13 billion has been awarded to 13 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin. Another nine states and Puerto Rico have applied: Tennessee, Rhode Island, Indiana, North Carolina, Washington, Idaho, Massachusetts, Virginia and Iowa.

Meanwhile, education funds throughout Maryland are tight. Several county leaders are seeking to balance their budget by reducing funds to schools.

In order to improve the quality of Maryland schools in difficult economic times, we need to take advantage of every possible opportunity. Right now, the state has dropped the ball. The funds will only be available through July 1.

[HT: Wonk Room]

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In February, Governor O’Malley announced that the federal stimulus package would enable the state to restore planned cuts to education funding. Specifically, “For the first time in the history of Maryland, the Geographic Cost of Education Index, a funding formula which awards more money to districts where the cost of education is greater, will be funded at 100 percent in FY2010 and FY2011.”

Now, that might be changing:

The state Senate’s budget and tax committee surprised everyone in the education world. Rather than adopting its subcommittee’s recommendations for school funding as expected, it passed a modified version including deeper cuts. It would fund GCEI at 60 percent next year, rather than the 100 percent pledged by the governor, and use the remaining 40 percent (or about $50 million) to cover planned school construction costs.

The committee also, “would limit in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 the annual inflation increases to school districts that were supposed to return next year.” If these changes are approved Baltimore City, for example, “would have to cut at least $12 million out of the budget the school board approved last week.”

The governor, for his part, seems to be taking a middle ground. O’Malley told the Baltimore Sun, “he hadn’t seen the specifics yet, but he was concerned about any change to GCEI. However, he said several lawmakers don’t believe that the state should be guaranteeing inflation increases to any agencies — school districts included — until the economy improves. He’s inclined to agree.”

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Some good news. A new analysis by Education Week ranks Maryland schools #1 in the nation. The Baltimore Sun has the story:

Maryland’s schools rank first in the nation in an analysis of factors such as high school graduation rates, student achievement, academic standards and accountability done by Education Week, a publication based in Bethesda.

Maryland, ranked third last year, edged out Massachusetts by one-tenth of 1 percent. Both states were given a B grade overall, but the national average was a C. Maryland scored well on the standards for early childhood education and preparing students for college… The state received A and B grades for establishing financial equity among school districts and B’s for student achievement from kindergarten through 12th grade.

This is a substantial achievement for the state and comes after Maryland committed substantial financial resources to its educational system. Maryland has spent $1.3 billion since 2002 to improve schools.

It also doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to be done to improve education in Maryland. As the Sun notes, Maryland’s overall score was a B. The state received low scores in several areas. Notably, “The state’s worst scores came for its failure to support beginning teachers. Maryland does not fund mentoring programs or give funds to reduce the workloads of first-year teachers.”

You can check out the full report cards for all 50 states at Education Week

UPDATE: More from the Washington Post.

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