Students First Gives Maryland D+

Students First Overview:

Maryland has prioritized attracting and identifying excellent teachers in recent reform efforts, but it must do more to retain them. The state utilizes alternative pathways for teacher recruitment and has adopted better educator evaluations, but it does not require effectiveness to drive personnel or salary decisions and allows districts to prioritize seniority over impact in the classroom. Maryland does little to empower parents. The state does not provide meaningful information to parents regarding school and teacher performance. Public charter schools in Maryland are severely restricted, and accountability is very weak. Maryland could also expand state and mayoral authority to intervene in low-performing schools and districts. Finally, the state should no longer lock teachers into the existing outdated pension system and should instead offer a more attractive, portable retirement option.

 http://reportcard.studentsfirst.org/state-detail?state=Maryland