WASHINGTON — When only 40 percent of kids pass state tests, Maryland’s top educators reason, it might be time to try something new, and they want to hear what you think about new measures they’re considering to help low-performing schools.
Maryland’s State Board of Education is planning meetings for around the state so people can offer ideas, The Baltimore Sun reports.
Ideas might include new charter programs, offering students more vouchers for private schools or creating a special state district just for schools that need help, The Sun reports.
Maryland is beginning to rewrite regulations for how students and schools are judged in order to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, formerly known as No Child Left Behind.
Of five listening sessions planned for January, here are the ones closest to the D.C. metro area:
Jan. 19: Charles Herbert Flowers High School
10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Rd., Springdale
Jan. 24: College of Southern Maryland
Prince Frederick Campus
115 J.W. Williams Rd., Prince Frederick
Each meetings will be held between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Maryland’s State Board of Education plans to finalize its proposal and submit an ESSA plan to the U.S. Department of Education this summer.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.
