America is paying over 72 percent more today for nationally for public and private education than it did in 1980. Yet academic achievement scores have remained flat. As Heritage analysts Kirk A. Johnson and Krista Kafer explained last year, Why More Money Will Not Solve America's Education Crisis): "Members of Congress are in a bidding war to see who can spend the most money in a misguided contest that is diverting attention from true education reform. Funding old programs that fail to serve all children, especially poor children, does not demonstrate a commitment to education; rather, it reveals a commitment to the status quo. Instead of raising the price tag for education, Congress should support reforms that demonstrate responsible stewardship of taxpayers' money." Kafer testified twice in 2002 before the Maryland General Assembly. On February 6, 2002 (Maryland Needs a Strong Public Charter School Law), she pointed out that almost three-quarters of Maryland's fourth and eight graders were not proficient on the most recent math, science, and reading tests. She explained how charter schools can help: "Public charter schools often institute a more rigorous curriculum, longer school years, and greater teacher autonomy. Generally smaller than traditional schools, they offer an intimate and unique learning environment, structured to the individual needs of the students. Public charter schools involve high levels of parental involvement. They often institute a more rigorous curriculum, longer school day and longer school year, and greater teacher autonomy and flexibility." Kafer emphasized: "Public charter schools cause a 'ripple effect' of improvement in surrounding schools. The higher the number of charter schools, the greater the ripple effect. Additionally, competition has the greatest impact where charter school laws permit the greatest autonomy. " On March 13, 2002, Kafer testified on the need to change the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) to comply with Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Kafer pointed to several Maryland problems: "The Maryland
system does not meet the requirements of the federal law. Specifically,
the MSPAP does not yield individual test scores. It was designed to yield
data on schools, not on their students. Additionally, the test, particularly
its science and math components, is insufficiently linked to the Maryland
state standards. It focuses on process, not content. Because of its structure
and the way it is graded, MSPAP results are not sufficiently accurate
or available in a timely fashion." Heritage Foundation. (www.heritage.org). Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a "think tank" - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Heritage has put out a comprehensive report on state initiatives in school choice each year since 1996. Also see Heritage's 2002 reports on the state of education and special education. Follow Heritage's ongoing coverage of education ideas and action on the foundation website's key issue page on education reform. Thomas B. Fordham Foundation (www.edexcellence.net). The Fordam Foundation has a weekly online newsletter on education, the Education Gadfly. This website features a suggested reading list, links to related sites, and information about the foundation's education reform projects in its home of Dayton, Ohio. The foundation sponsors the Educational Excellence Network (EEN), an umbrella organization for the promotion of sound education reforms, which was founded 15 years ago by nationally known education reformer and scholar, Chester E. Finn, Jr. (now the foundation's president and CEO) and Diane Ravitch, former deputy assistant secretary in the Department of Education. EEN is affiliated with the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. For the "Arizona model" of attaching funds to children instead of school districts, see "What Is Public Education" by Lisa Graham Keegan in the Fall issue of the Manhattan Institute's City Journal. Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. (www.manhatten-institute.org). “For twenty-five years, the Manhattan Institute has confronted old problems with fresh thinking. Many of the Institute’s emblematic ideas—from the notion that low taxes encourage businesses to the concept that police should be treated with respect—were originally greeted with skepticism but have since been embraced by well-run cities everywhere.” —Rudolph W. Giuliani. A Manhatten Institute study shows that, in choice and competition in education: Maryland bottoms out. See 2001 Education Freedom Index . Check out the Manhatten Institute's latest think pieces on education. Also see Victor Davis Hanson's piece on "The Civic Education America Needs." Maryland Charter School Network (www.myschoolonline.com - then choose Maryland under state - then choose Maryland Charter School Network under organization). Maryland has no charter schools now underway. Current Maryland charter school email addresses: Joni Gardner, President, Maryland Charter School Network: jonigardner@comcast.net; email the organization itself at MCSN@comcast.net. Abell Foundation (www.abellfoundation.org). This Baltimore-based foundation seeks solutions to urban problems that are both innovative and ensure accountability. An Abell Foundation report argues that Maryland's "requirement that individuals must complete a prescribed body of coursework before teaching in public schools is deeply misguided." Follow the debate: Teacher Certification Reconsidered: Stumbling for Quality and Teacher Certification Reconsidered: A Rejoinder. See Abell Report and Baltimore Sun story, "Certified doesn't mean better," by Robert C. Embrey, Jr. Calvert Institute (www.calvert institute.org/). See this Maryland think tank's papers on education: Multiculturalism and the Demise of the Liberal Arts at Maryland's Public Universities and Colleges, Except Morgan State; Private Sector Public Schools: Fiscal Responsibility Dictates It, Says Nova Scotia. The Center for Education Reform (www.edreform.com). The Center for Education Reform is a national voice for more choices in education and more rigor in education programs, both of which are key to more effective schooling. It delivers practical, research-based information and assistance to engage a diverse lay audience-including parents, policymakers, and education reform groups-in taking actions to ensure that US schools are delivering a high quality education for all children in grades K-12. In her February 6, 2003 testimony before the Maryland Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, Montgomery County parent, President Jeanne Allen explained the benefits of charter schools and the three essential elements of an effective charter school law. Gregory Kane. See Baltimore Sun columnist Gregory Kane's plea for a charter school law. National Home School Legal Defense Association. Since 1983, HSLDA (www.hslda.org/splash/default.asp) has represented home school families, from negotiation with local officials to court proceedings - paying all litigation costs for cases it undertakes. It monitors federal and state legislation that affects home school families and provides many resources and links on its website. National Home School Education Research Institute (www.nheri.org). NHERI studies home education; operates a clearinghouse of research for teachers, parents, and others; and educates the public on research findings. |
