Despite its long-standing reputation for quality schools, Maryland is in need of more and better educational opportunities for children.
The Maryland charter law that passed in 2003 is among the nation’s weakest laws, not only because it’s restrictive, but also because it’s incredibly vague. The law is silent on some of the most critical policy issues for charter school development, including the level of funding required to support a charter school, the number of schools that can be started, the term of the charter, the governance structure of the school, and student admission requirements. Due to the weakness of the state’s law, Maryland has not been eligible for certain federal grants and has not attracted other investments from philanthropy to support these innovative public charter schools.
Unfortunately, charter school legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly, SB 595, would not improve the charter school environment for schools, students, or families in Maryland.
As the Washington Post said in an editorial after listening to CER’s concerns with the bill and analyzing it themselves, Governor Hogan should veto this bill, as “the legislature took a bad law and made it worse.”
Click here to ask Governor Hogan to Veto SB 595.
In The News:
Maryland becomes first state in nation to roll back charter law, Statement from CER President Kara Kerwin, 5.12.15
The Schools Baltimore Needs, Washington Post Editorial Board, 5.8.15
Charter school bill excludes online education, MarylandReporter.com, 4.30.15
National charter schools advocate wants Hogan to veto charter bill, Washington Post, 4.27.15
Legislation only hurts charter schools, Baltimore Sun Letter to the Editor, 4.20.15
Opinion: Parents Want Choice in Montgomery County, Washington Post, 4.17.15
Dysfunction in Annapolis, Washington Post Editorial Board, 4.15.15
Maryland’s Charter Bill No Laughing Matter, 4.15.15
Statement on Maryland General Assembly’s Passage of Charter School Bill, 4.14.15
Maryland Senate Panel Undermines Governor’s Education Plan, 4.1.15
CER Hopes Maryland Lawmakers Continue To Debate Critical Changes To State’s Charter School Law, 3.26.15
Maryland gets an ‘F’ on its charter school laws, Watchdog.org, 3.26.15
Senate panel rewrites Hogan’s charter school law, Baltimore Sun, 3.25.15
Gov. Hogan’s charter bill is in trouble; Md. lawmakers striking key provisions, Washington Post, 3.22.15
Charter schools and public accountability, Baltimore Sun Letter to the Editor, 3.19.15
Letter to Maryland charter school teachers.
Baltimore Teachers Union response.
For more information on Maryland’s charter school law, click here.