Education News
- Md. Needs a Plan for Expanded, Quality Pre-K for Federal Funding
- Protect Md. School Funding and Teachers' Pensions
Thornton Fund Increase Boosts Md. Schools to 'Best in the Nation'
Two new reports have ranked Maryland's public education system number one in the nation six years after Maryland began its historic Thornton reform, increasing funding nearly 50 percent by $3.4 billion for K-12 school, mostly in poorer jurisdictions with the most minority students. Following on their success in bringing about this key reform, Progressive Maryland and allies are pushing a bill to increase funding for pre-K school programs serving children at younger ages when their mental development is most critical to future academic and workplace achievement.
- State Public School System Ranked Best in US by 2 Reports, Wash. Post, Jan 8
- Top Ranking Shouldn't Lead to Complacency on Schools Reform, Balt. Sun, Jan 8
- A National Model for Education, One Maryland Governor's newsletter, Jan 7
- Md. Is Ready to Extend Early Education to All, Baltimore Sun, Jan 4
- Nurturing Young Minds, Baltimore Sun editorial, Dec 29
- Squeezed on All Sides, Parents Forgo Day Care, Wash. Post, Dec 28
- Maryland Committee for Children website
Overview: World-Class Public Education
Progressive Maryland has fought along side our allies since its passage in 2002 to ensure full funding for the historic, multi-year Thornton educational plan. In 2007, PM and allies also helped secure a record $400 million in funding for public school construction and repair.
We also fight to preserve college opportunity for working families. Between 2000 and 2005, tuition at Maryland's public colleges and universities increased dramatically. PM and allies advocated for a tuition freeze and we applaud lawmakers, especially Gov. Martin O'Malley, for implementing a freeze over the past three years.
These investments in public education help explain why Maryland has achieved the highest family income in the nation and the highest percentage of residents with graduate degrees. There is plenty of money in Maryland to maintain these investments in world-class public schools and universities. Research by the Progressive Maryland Education Fund has found approximately $230 million in tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporate special interests. And instituting "combined reporting" (now law in more than 20 states) would shut down loopholes invented by accountants that rob the Maryland Treasury of at least $100 million per year.
A mountain of research shows how investments in public education grow the economy. One of the most authoritative was written by the Economic Policy Institute, which shows conclusively that investments in education – from early childhood through graduate schools – produce the kind of knowledge-based economy that brings the most money into state and county coffers. Those investments solidify a foundation for the strongest economy and highest quality of life for all our residents.
- Md. Needs a Plan for Expanded, Quality Pre-K for Federal Funding
- Protect Md. School Funding and Teachers' Pensions
