WDC hosted an outstanding panel of experts on one of our priority issues: Education and the Kirwan Commission’s “Blueprint for Maryland.”  Our November luncheon featured Dr. William “Brit” Kirwan, Board of Education President Shebra Evans and State Delegate Anne Kaiser (D14), chair of the House Ways & Means Committee. Dr. Kirwan led the two-year bipartisan study whose report lays out a framework for progress and a funding mechanism. 

Ms. Evans stressed the importance of equity in every area of education, to include support and resources as well as academics, what she called the “Equity Accountability Model.” The Board has hired a consultant to study the ratio between resources spent and outcomes, and is particularly concerned about the concentration of novice teachers in high poverty schools. Another initiative is to generate community engagement through forums. In October, the Black and Brown Coalition Forum drew 1,000 people. Everyone, she said, is paying attention. Ms. Evans concluded by asking WDC for its support in securing financial support from our state delegation.

Commissioner Kirwan outlined the findings of his bipartisan, 25-member commission.  Members were startled to find troubling issues in the school system so many of us consider exemplary. “Our school system,” declared the Commissioner, “is broken.” Our test scores rank 27-28th in the nation, and our reading scores, below the national average. Although we like to think of Maryland as a progressive state, more money goes to affluent districts. On top of this, teachers no longer think of the profession as a career, staying on average only 2 years.

Faced with these facts, the Commission then spent 2 years looking at the building blocks of high-performing schools across the country to see how Maryland could best address these issues. The final report includes these five main areas: 

1. Investing in early childhood education, including services for very young children.

2. Turning teaching into a high-status profession. We do that by adding resources for teacher preparation and developing a higher certification standard as well as a merit-based career ladder.

3. Benchmarking our curriculum against that of high-performing schools. The Commission, according to Dr. Kirwan, looked into Maryland’s standard for college and career readiness, required by the Federal Government, and was shocked to find out how low it was—10th-grade algebra and a 5th-grade reading level. Worse, less than 40 percent met that standard. The Commission proposes a new standard that students could meet by 10th grade—“You can take a college-level class without remediation.” In addition, students should have access to an alternative Career and Technical Education Pathway that would lead them to well-paying jobs.

4. Adding funding for high poverty areas.

5. Ensuring a strong system of accountability. This “rigorous structure” would include an Oversight Board of five or six qualified people to certify policy and oversee implementation and outcomes related to funding. Support teams would be developed to get schools on track.

Dr. Kirwan believes we have a choice before us. We can accept the status quo or invest in our children and “build a world-class workforce and give every child in the state of Maryland a chance for the American Dream.” All it takes is will. 

The Commission set up a 10-year plan for implementation with a funding formula divided between state and local governments. To critics who say implementation would be too expensive, he says, not supporting our children would be more expensive in the long run. This is about investments, not taxes. The tax plan includes eliminating tax credits that are not working and adding taxes on services and people with the highest incomes, as well as so-called “sin taxes.” Delegate Kathleen Dumais (District 15) has been working on creating a long-term committee on taxes to look into possible levies on, among other things, sports betting and marijuana.

Turning to the political realities, Dr. Kirwan said we should not underestimate the forces against us, but we have 32 good votes in Montgomery County. Although some might be concerned that targeting of resources might hurt our wealthy county, he reminded us that we have more second language and special education students than other areas of the state: “We can be progressive and parochial at the same time.” He urged us to get involved in spreading the word about the need for implementation, especially given that the Governor, who originally supported the Commission, is now fighting it.

Ms. Evan then gave us statistics on the size of the school system and assured us that the Montgomery County supported the Commission Report. It would benefit County schools with increases in funding for such areas as early childhood education, teachers’ salaries, teacher training, low-income schools (of which we have many), and special education. It would also serve to professionalize bus drivers and teachers aides, as well as teachers.

In response to questions, Dr. Kirwan reassured us that the career ladder for teachers would not be based on “incessant testing” but would instead create master teachers who would evaluate and make recommendations to principals for advancement. He also addressed the affect on minorities and special education.

Delegate Kaiser, whose background is in Early Childhood Education, praised Dr. Kirwan and the Commission for its hard work over 3 years, with its far-reaching research into high-performing school systems. In relation to the report, she particularly mentioned the importance of respect for a Career and Technical track, which will produce electricians, plumbers, etc. She addressed the politics of getting the recommendations (HB2) through in Annapolis. With strong support from the Speaker and the Senate President, who have served on the Commission, she thinks that the bill will overcome obstacles, including the Governor’s opposition, and pass. Funding increases will start slowly, with a plan to fund the first few years. She echoed Dr. Kirwan, saying that “Although people across the state will pay more, the pay-off is worth it.”