WYPR: School Disparities Remain, Despite Thornton (2009-02-12)

Student achievement in Maryland public schools is on the rise, according to a series of recent measures. Much credit for this progress goes to the 2002 Thornton reforms that mandated higher spending. But wide disparities between the schools remain -- with students in poor communities lagging behind. What's worse, budget cuts threaten to fall most heavily on those that need the money most. WYPR's Karen Hosler reports.

Last Friday, scores of students at the Wiley Bates Middle School in Annapolis bolted for the doors as classes were dismissed for the weekend. Most were probably oblivious to the good news coming from state classrooms. By various reckonings, Maryland public school pupils have shown marked improvement over the six years since the General Assembly agreed to boost state funding. Education Week magazine ranked Maryland's public school system first in the nation, though its overall grade was only a "B."

Alvin Thornton, the Howard University provost and chairman of the commission that recommended greater state help for schools in poor communities, said the progress was particularly impressive considering other pressures on the state budget.

"I am very pleased. A B' to me, in this environment, with what we're facing, is an excellent score. "

But some school experts say if you look closer, the relatively rosy picture grows grim.

Robert Embry, who served as president of both the state Board of Education and the city school board, said some of the positive reports have been deceiving.

For example, the Education Week results are based on statewide averages that mask wide differences between students who come from rich, well-educated backgrounds and those who don't.

Further, when Marylanders are compared against students taking the same test across the country, they finish closer to middle of the pack, he said.

What's more, the deepening financial crisis in Maryland and the rest of the nation will make it even harder to fulfill the Thornton dream of leveling the academic playing field. Embry worries the recent good news may provide political cover for a retreat on school spending.

"Certainly, the evidence is that the additional money from Thornton has improved education outcomes in the state and Thornton is very much at risk, understandably because of the state's fiscal problems. But if the state thinks its number one then the pressure to do anything to improve things is dramatically reduced."

Yet, there are some folks kicking and screaming. Like BeBe Verdery, of the Maryland chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU sued the school system more than a decade ago because it believed Baltimore city students were being denied their right under the state constitution to an adequate education. The court ruling resulted in the Thornton reforms that finally reached full funding in 2008, only to be rolled back this year.
Governor Martin O'Malley, beset with terrible budget problems, has urged further cuts. He designed those cuts so they fall most heavily on Baltimore city and Prince George's County -- just where the money is most needed. Verdery was struck by the irony.

"As soon as we hit that point where we were almost at enough money, the rollback in funding began. And so, whatever achievements people are taking credit for now and being very pleased about and we're pleased, too, that things have gotten better are going to be rolled back, too. So, you can't keep a successful system by continuing to hack away at it every year."
Thornton is quick to acknowledge that his goals have not yet been fulfilled. But he notes that his commission's recommendations were only intended to be a starting point for major changes, such as year-round schools and Saturday sessions.

"Thornton was never, in my mind, a solution to everything. It was a best, a window that would be open long enough for the state and the counties and the school districts and the parents to do some things differently."
Financial help may come from Congress, but the central question remains: Will the state, the counties and the school districts adopt more lasting reforms so that all students excel?

I'm Karen Hosler, reporting in Washington and Baltimore, for 88.1, WYPR.