About time. This woman has held her position for far too long. 20 years and during her tenure the quality of education except in wealthy districts sunk so low as to be almost past saving. It is the federal government and their requirements under No Child Left Behind that saved Ms. Grasmick's legacy.

Don't forget, also, that under her guidance, the teaching profession has been under attack as well. It is under her regime that alternative programs such as the Baltimore City Teaching Residency were established, while existing teachers faced more and more challenges to retaining certification regardless of experience.

And no, I'm not a teacher, nor are any of my family members. I am just an interested close observer of 20 years in Baltimore.

Way too much corruption, and little or no transparancy and "sunlight", across Maryland State Government.

As a teacher in Baltimore County for 13 years, Nancy Grasmick has done so much for the education of students in Maryland. Let's hope that the person who replaces Dr. Grasmick continues to focus on education rather than standardized test scores.

At 72 its about time, that is a long time to work until,
now its time for her to enjoy the rest of her life with family and friends.
Wish her a great retirement

It is far past time. Under her watch, the City Schools, while making gains, are still failing way too many students, and there is no sense of urgency from the State. They had the ability to take over failing schools years ago, and the best they could do was give a few schools to Edison to run? They don't know how to fix the problems either and don't want to be blamed so played it safe and largely stayed out it.

The challenges of urban schools are many, and there are few people at the state with urban experience. I would love for the Sun to do an analysis of the average age and municipality of an MSDE worker. For the most part, they are out of touch geographically and age-wise with the reforms needed to provide all students in MD a high quality education.

I hope the State Board of Education will put someone in who will shake things up a bit.

I wish you all the best, Nancy. Maryland's children are better off because of you. Thanks. Heather

I think its funny that people in Baltimore City need to take much more responsibility as to who the schools are ran and not blame the falling schools on Nancy. Other counties do fine with far less money and they do not slam state offices for their failings. It’s Baltimore’s fault that Baltimore has bad schools. Work on solving problems instead of blaming others.

Good luck, Nancy. I guess a whole lot of people will lose their jobs now.

Not blame. Responsibility.

Education is the State's constitutional duty. From what I could find. Section VIII Title 1 - EDUCATION.
The General Assembly, at its First Session after the adoption of this Constitution, shall by Law establish throughout the State a thorough and efficient System of Free Public Schools; and shall provide by taxation, or otherwise, for their maintenance.

So if the city is not/was not providing this thorough and efficient system, it is the mandate of the state to step in and make it right. Which this state department and state superintendent has not done (or has done so tepidly) and generations of city kids have paid the price.

Note that those whose comments attack Dr. Grasmick refuse to sign their names. The comments from "Anonymous" should be rejected on their face.

In most states, Superintendents stay in office for a couple of years. They leave just as the results of their policies are becoming clear.

Dr. Grasmick has stayed to see her policies implemented and we all see the results--for three years in a row our schools have been number one in the nation!

Dr. Grasmick, you make us proud.

Jonathan Inskeep
Crofton, Maryland
USA
jonathaninskeep@mac.com

The State has shut down and reopened many Baltimore City Schools but they cannot close them all. The kids would have nowhere to go. The State also does not have enough man power or cash to run all of Baltimore City’s education system. Again clean your own house; you don’t like how things are done you have the power to change the people in charge. Stop blaming others for your misrepresentations in the legislature and your community.

Time to go...should have went 10 years ago. Education anywhere needs fresh blood or the whole process gets stagnant..

To quote Churchill who described one of his recent and mediocre predecessors in the PM office, "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."

I’m not saying she’s a saint but she’s the best we’ve ever had.

Funny how just a couple weeks ago there were rumors that Andres Alonso was a canidate for the Chicago superintendent post. Could Dr. Grasmick have been pushed out to make room for the "golden boy?"

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-03-17/news/bs-md-ci-alonso-chicago-20110317_1_ceo-andr-s-alonso-longest-serving-superintendent-new-superintendent

Thank you for a great 20 yrs in MD, Dr. Grasmick.

The governor needs to step up and not back off... he wanted to be governor and now has tough decisions-- he should continue to fund education fairly and equitably across the state and not worry about Baltimore as though he were still the mayor of the city. The rest of the state is not accoutable for what is not happening in Baltimore and should not have to pay the price. Many counties do more with less. Let Baltimore step up. Congratulations to Dr. Grasmick-- she's led the state to #1... let's keep it there!

MOM thanked her what a POS!
Remember this quote"She is a pawn of the Republicans."

It's long overdue, long overdue.

She has appointed far too many cronies, with blond hair and dripping in diamonds and gold on the 7th floor. And the facial surgery! Good God!

She deserves a rest and a chance to spend her husband's millions. I credit her for not much, but she is tenacious, and for that, kudos.

Now maybe someone who can smile without cracking their face, who will stop bringing in cronies in vastly overpaid positions. And maybe even stop all this "borrowing" of staff from the counties, costing the state untold amounts of money.

Much happiness and luck, Dr. Grasmick. A lady always knows when to leave.

Dr. Grasmick's accomplishments are worthy of commendation. However, her personnel practices left much to be desired. Power too often replaced principle in her hiring and promotion practices.

20 years to late

Her face looks like melted plastic

DIXON FOR MAYOR

As someone who has been a substitute in city schools, I cannot relate Grasmick to all the problems of Baltimore City.

Maryland does have the #1 public schools in the country, and she should be commended. She is dedicated. She cares about the kids.

As for the City, it starts from the ground up, student by student, teacher by teacher, parent by parent. No single person can change what is happening in these poor urban areas. She has tried many things, and I think she is a strong leader.

Frankly, I like Alonso too, from all that I have seen.

full disclosure: I went to private school 7-12th grade in the city.

Dr. Grasmick's educational accomplishments deserve commendation. However, her personnel practices in hiring and promotion leave much to be desired. Too often, power replaced principle. Disagree with her and you are out!

Aristotle said, "Those that can do. Those that understand, teach.." Dr. Grasmick not only does, but understands what is best for students and education in Maryland. She has taught the rest of the country what it takes to be #1 in education. She has served under both Democrat and Republican governors. It didn't matter as she always did what was best for students. Much happiness is deserved after such a stellar run.

Why now, Nancy? You should have left several years ago when you could have saved Adult Correctional Education from the buffoons at DLLR. But saving Adult Correctional Education would have meant you would have had to take one for MSDE employees rather than what happened-your employees losing their jobs with MSDE.

Here's a nightmare scary thought: Joe steps into Nancy's job.

omg I had no idea she was 72. I thought she was in her 50's.