Elective versus appointed boards is such a distraction from focusing on true reform. A few points:

It shouldn't be about what people like or favor; it should be about what is best for student learning. The only good research I've seen done on the effect elective versus appointed has on STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT is a study by K.K. Wong at Brown (Mayoral Leadership Matters) who concludes:

"First, significant academic improvement is linked to the mayoral appointed school boards. Second, mayoral-appointed school boards also produce more efficient financial and administrative management in part because these districts are able to broaden the pool of management expertise. Third, mayoral control brings a strong emphasis on academic accountability, which seems consistent with the public expectation in the context of NCLB." p. 765

A second point: only about 40,000 people voted in our last election (in a city of 600,000!!!) - and that was a general election with mayor on the ballot. School board elections have notoriously low turn-out and tend to be swayed by special interest group (like unions).

While the city-state partnership is not perfect, there have been gains, and I have serious worries that an elected school board would only cause things to slide backwards. Parents do have a voice in who is appointed to the board - when they vote to elect the mayor or governor. They can put pressure on both of these individuals if they are not happy with who is being appointed.

What's the deal with all these teachers getting into it sexually with their students? I can't believe how high profile this stuff is getting. I don't seem to remember anything like this when I was a kid! What is going on here?

Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson Elementary! This now means that I we have all three stages of the IB Curriculum in the BCPSS: the Primary Years Programme at TJE, the first half of the Middle Years Programme at Harford Heights Middle, and the latter half of MYP and the Diploma Programme at City.

As a diploma candidate myself, I have to say that IB is the best new thing for American education. The idea of international standards, international curricula, international assessment, and fostering an international mindset is something that I and my other classmates really respond to. The idea that we're doing the same work as students from Singapore to Santiago is something that's mind blowing to me. That, and the program enforces a liberal arts mindset that forces you to make connections between varying subjects. Unlike AP and other American education styles, which are "what-based" systems, IB is "why-based" system that forces you not only to perform well in subjects, but contextualize them and ask why they matter. IB doesn't only ask you what you know, but how you know it, and why it matters.

I love the idea of fostering a sense of internationality from the ground up in Baltimore City schools. I think one of the main things plaguing this city's youth is that people just don't know that there's something more out there. IB forces you to look at your surroundings in light of a larger international community, which has really helped me and my peers expand our horizons.

Let's hope for more IB schools in Baltimore!

The author's lack of enthusiasm in writing about the elected school board bill is obvious. It is probably because she figures it is again a losing battle. Why? Both O'Malley and Dixon oppose it. If O'Malley and Dixon oppose something, most members of the Baltimore City Delegation will oppose it for solely that reason. That is, admittedly sad, but unfortunately, true. In the past several legislative sessions, Delegate Jill Carter has pushed for a partially elected school board, as well as for the City and State to honor their financial and management commitments under the City-State Partnership, and consent decree, and Judge Kaplan's numerous contempt Orders. Last year, Carter even sponsored a bill to take the elected school board question to voter referendum. Again, she was quickly shot down by most members of the city delegation. Amazing that the same folks that compromised so-called principles to move the slots question to to voter referendum in the haze of the recen special session after years of protest, refuse to trust the very voters that elected them, many of whom have children in the schools system, to take a vote regardin the school board. Carter has been marginalized and labeled a non-team player for this and other anti-status quo positions sghe has taken on bealfof the children of this city. She has rarely won her her battles on behalf of the "people". So, this year, parents try to get an elected school board bill passed by using a newer, less tarnished, less controversial legislator. I suspect the author knows what I know. They will likely again lose. O'Malley and Dixon don't want it. The delegation will stick with the staus quo unless directed to do otherwise by the mayor and governor.

Last BOE meeting in Baltimore County revealed the essence of why elected BOE will be better for the school system. Better for Stdents, teachers and parents . The new budget proposal passed without asking for a just raise for the public school employees. It also did not stress the educational needs for our students[ fixing bathrooms, AC, remove relocatables...] for fear of being labeled " non-fiscally responsible". An elected BOE will have to report to the poeple of the County. The people of the County want the best for their sons and daughters in education. Elected BOE does not have to worry about angering the Governor. Above all, what bring immigrants to this nation for the past 400 plus years is democracy, the ability to choose. Appointment of BOE members flies in the face of this fundamental principle of the American way of life. More than 90% of USA BOE are elected partially or fully. Most of Maryland BOE are elected.

Bash Pharoan

02/16/2008