GreatBigBlog

A few weeks ago I told you that one of the first steps to bridging Maryland’s achievement gaps is championing parental involvement.

So many Marylanders responded by stepping forward as champions yourselves, writing and testifying in support of S.B. 329, a bill that would allow Maryland parents to attend parent-teacher conferences without penalty from their employer.

Now I’m proud to announce a new online tool to complement our efforts: MarylandCAN’s online School and District Report Cards. Our report cards provide Maryland families with detailed information about all 1,400 public schools in our state based on the academic achievement of their students.

See how Maryland public schools stacks up against one another.

Because this is our first year releasing online report cards, we’re treating it as a pilot year. Starting in 2013, we’ll assign letter grades to every public school and district in Maryland. But before we do that, we want to hear from...

Five months ago we announced the official launch of 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now. 

Now leaders in our first four states of New York, Maryland, Rhode Island and Minnesota are off and running with policy campaigns that will change the way public education works in their states so that it works better for all kids.

NYCAN: The Empire State Strikes Back
(www.EmpireStateStrikesBack.org)

• Equip parents with a trigger: Allow moms and dads to “take over” persistently failing schools.
• Recruit teaching talent into the Empire State: Improve interstate teacher certification reciprocity.
• Start college early, finish college strong: Establish state support for early college high schools.

MarylandCAN: Bridge the Gaps
(www.BridgeMarylandGaps.org)

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