Well said. The Governor's office and the heads of Ed here act like learning is some smoke and mirror trick they manage to pull off through passing policies that don't even effect day to day classroom affairs.

Teachers make learning happen, it'd be nice to hear that from ol' Nancy and her crew.

No, teachers are only responsible for bad stuff.

Actually, no single teacher, group of teachers, or policy makers can or should go it alone or "take credit." Educating our diverse population with such varied constituencies is much too complex.

Here! Here! Whether it's HSA or AP courses or congrats for Blue Ribbon status, rarely do you hear praise for the teachers. Teacher have been given more and more demands and less and less recognition. We should include the students and parents in the praise too. I know when our county recognizes Blue Ribbon schools they usually only recognize the administrator. It took the team, not just the leader.

Maryland Public Education is the quality it is because of a number of factors. The Maryland State Department of Education under the direction of State Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grasmick works with staff and local education agencies to draft policy and procedure that will require high levels of student performance and high quality teachers. Those on the front line are at the local level with TEACHERS NUMBER ONE IN LINE! They differentiate instruction, meet the unique needs of a diverse student population even while dealing with a variety of distractions like budget cuts, larger class size, and lack of student discipline. Each community that comes together to fund education at a level of community need and supports their teachers will get a return far greater than the investment. Teachers are the real reason for gaines that are made in student performance. Likewise, I feel the same is true when there is high degree of student failure. All must come together to meet all students where they are each day when they walk into the schoolhouse door.