Education Law

Baltimore City Public Schools makes a comeback

In the wake of “Waiting for Superman” and the hype surrounding it, there’s a district that has been working very hard to make some changes for the better, and they haven’t called any caped crusaders yet.  Last weekend, NSBA’s Council for Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) recognized Baltimore City Public Schools in its annual Award for Urban Boards of Education.  While much of the press surrounds urban districts woes, Baltimore and the three other finalists districts (Florida?s Broward County Public Schools, Texas? Houston Independent School District, and Virginia?s Portsmouth Public Schools) have reasons to be proud in their communities.  Increased test scores, improved civic involvement, and narrowing the achievement gap, are just a few of the things to celebrate.  Baltimore has showed improved test scores, increased high school graduation rates, improved school safety, and has had an increase in the number of students attending their schools for the first time in decades.

Baltimore has also recently struck a tentative deal with their teachers’ union that many thought would never happen.

But don’t take our word for it.  Take a look at more of the details in School Board News Today, The Washington Post, and The Baltimore Sun.  There’s no doubt that while many are waiting for a Superman, Baltimore decided to get up and do something for themselves.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on October 07, 2010 (boomark / email).