Sen. Washington Introduces Promise Schools Legislation
Senator Alonzo T. Washington Introduces Legislation to Drastically Improve Chronically Struggling Schools
Bill would transform education in lowest performing schools, and provide parents with school options
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland State Senator Alonzo T. Washington (D) has introduced legislation to dramatically improve student outcomes in the State of Maryland. The bill (SB 814) would create Promise Schools – a program that provides extra funding and support to students struggling with academic performance, and also supports the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future by establishing a plan for these schools to get back on track.
Declining student test scores in Maryland reflect a national downward trend that began in 2013 and have worsened as a result of the virus. Fall 2022 test results indicate that a majority of Maryland fourth and eighth grade students were not proficient in math or reading. The largest drop in test scores in Maryland and nationally came in the math test in which 75% of Maryland eighth grade students and 69% of fourth grade students are at or below basic achievement.
“It’s no secret that students continue to struggle with academic performance, especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Washington. “The Promise Schools Program will target the lowest performing community schools and result in higher teacher pay, more direct tutoring, and new innovations in our classrooms.”
State Department of Education (MSDE) Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury also spoke in favor of the legislation. “Under this bill, MSDE will designate ten community schools that have been identified as low–performing or in need of comprehensive support and improvement as Promise Schools each year,” said Superintendent Choudhury. “Once designated, the county board containing the promise school will perform a comprehensive analysis of the key factors and root causes that have led to this poor performance, as well as receive additional funding to address the issue.”