>> THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND STUDENTS STRUGGLING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT THE TEST SCORE WENT DOWN.

>> Jeff: AS A MAJOR REINVENTION OF EDUCATION POLICY MOVES FORWARD.

>> INVESTMENTS INTO BOTH CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES CAN REALLY HELP OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVE ALL STUDENTS.

>> Jeff: DOIN' A "STATE CIRCLE" SPECIAL.

CLASSROOM CROSSROADS.

>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS.

TO THEIR GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "STATE CIRCLE".

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS BEING BLAMED FOR A SHARP DECLINE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MARYLAND'S STUDENTS.

WE BEGIN WITH THIS REPORT FROM NANCY YAMADA.

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT THE TESTING SCORE WENT DOWN.

>> Nancy: PARENTS WE MET IN GERMANTOWN SAY THE STATEWIDE DECLINE IN MATH AND READING SCORES BASED ON NEW NATIONAL DATA CONFORMED THEIR SUSPICIONS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF KIDS STRUGGLED DURING THE POOMED.

>> WITH THE LOCKDOWN SITUATION WE WERE ABLE TO SEE WHAT OUR KIDS WERE WORKING ON.

WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO SEE THE PROCESS OF LEARNING.

AND I THINK FOR MYSELF I FOUND HOW IT WAS LACKING.

>> Nancy: A SAMPLING OF FOURTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS SHOW BETWEEN 2019 AND 2022 DECLINES WERE STEEP COMPARED THE TO REST OF THE COUNTRY.

FOURTH GRADERS ON AVERAGE SCORED 10 POINTS LOWER IN MATH AND 7 POINTS LOWER IN READING.

FOR EIGHTH GRADERS AVERAGE MATH SCORES FELL BY 11 POINTS AND READING SCORES WENT DOWN BY 5 POINTS.

>> WE HAD ISSUES WITH TEACHER TRAINING, AVAILABILITY OF LAPTOPS.

THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE TO DELIVER REMOTE LEARNING.

AND IN MANY CASES WE HAD INTERNET CONNECTIVITY ISSUES.

>> Nancy: KAREN COUCH IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF KENT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THROUGH KIRWAN FUNDING AND A STATE EDUCATION GRANT, HER SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ADDRESSING THE LEARNING LOSS BY THINKING OUT OF BOX AND TRAINING AND HIRING COLLEGE STUDENTS AND RETIRED TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS AS TUTORS.

>> WE HAVE A HUGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN OUR -- IN KENT COUNTY, SO I THINK IT'S AN UNDER THE FOR EVERYBODY TO -- OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO STEP UP AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

WE'RE BEYOND THRILLED ABOUT THIS, THIS IDEA AND THIS STRATEGY.

>> Nancy: THE STATE IS ALSO DID I HAVING UP MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS, A ONE-TIME, CA INFUSION THAT WILL BE SPREAD OUT AMONG ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OVER FIVE YEARS.

>> SOME COOL SYSTEMS HAVE USED IT IN SUMMER SCHOOL ADDING SPECIALISTS.

EACH COUNTY HAD TO MAKE A PROPOSAL AS TO HOW THEY WERE GOING TO SPEND IT.

I THINK THERE'S SOME MONEY STILL AVAILABLE, ACTUALLY, IN SOME OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND HOPEFULLY THEY USE IT.

>> Nancy: SENATOR PAUL PAULIN.

ISKI IS THE CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FARES COMMITTEE.

ALONG LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT SECTION.

>> I RAISED THE POINT MAYBE WE HAVE TO ADD EVEN ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR TOURING TUTORING.

WE STARTED WITH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE CONCENTRATED POVERTY.

ORIGINALLY WE SEED TUTORING WOULD BE BYE BY FIVE YEARS.

WE THOUGHT BY THEN WE WOULD GET ALL NEW DISUNTSDZ, KINDERGARTEN, FIRST AND UP TO THE READING LEVELS WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEED AND WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD HELP THE READING TAKE PLACE.

WE MAY HAVE TO RETHINK THAT.

>> Nancy:Y DESPITE THE -- >> I CAN SEE WITH MY IAN CHILDREN THEY'RE DOING A LOT BETTER THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR.

>> Nancy: AND EVEN IN KENT COYNE AFTER 45 DAYS OF LAUNCHING WHAT'S KNOWN AS HIGH DOW JONES TUTORING.

>> IT'S MADE SUCH A HOW DIFFERENCE IN HOW OUR STUDENTS ARE RESPONDING AND HOW THEY'RE CATCHING UP AND FILLING THOSE GAPS.

>> Nancy: I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: STATEMENT MARYLAND IS END BARKING ON A MASSIVE OVERHAUL OF EDUCATION POLICY AND FUNDING.

IT IS KNOWN AS THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND EDUCATION OR THE KIRWAN PLAN.

SUE KOPEN LOOKS AT HOW IT WILL TRANSFORM EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

>> Sue: THERE'S NO LACK OF PRIORITIES WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN MARYLAND.

>> YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS SO THAT THE TEACHERS CAN DO THE JOB LA THEY NEED TO DO, AND IF THAT'S IMPROVING TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, ALL OF THAT IS NECESSARY.

>> I DESM WOULD SUPPORT TEACHER SALARY INCREASE.

PI WHEN I FIRST CAME OUT OF COLLEGE I WAS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER MYSELF AND I HAD TO SUPPLEMENT THAT WITH A PART-TIME JOB.

>> SMALLER CLASS SIZES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, SUCH AS INCREASING TEACHER SALARIES IS IMPORTANT TO THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

I THINK FOR THEM TRYING TO MANAGE HUGE CLASSES IS JUST REALLY HARD.

>> Sue: THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE WAS CREATED TO TACKLE OFF THOSE CONCERNS AND MUCH MORE.

THE GOAL TO MAKE SURE ALL CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THE BLUEPRINT IN 2020.

THE NEARLY $4 BILLION PLAN IS BEING ROLLED OUT IN THREE PHASES OVER NEXT TEN YEARS.

THE BLUEPRINT IS BROKEN DOWN INTO FIVE POLICY AREAS CALLED PILLARS.

EARLY HOMESCHOOLED EDUCATION, HIGH QUALITY AND DIVERSE TEACHERS AND LEADERS, COLLEGE AND CREATOR READINESS, IMPROVING RESOURCES TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS, AND GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> IT IS EXCITING WHEN WE HAVE AN INVESTMENT IN MONEY, WHEN WE HAVE A PLAN TO EXPAND PRE-K WHICH WE KNOW IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, WHEN WE HAVE A PLAN TO OFFER MORE CAREER TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND WE HAVE A PLAN TO RAISE TEACHER SALARIES IN A TIME WHERE WE SEE A HISTORIC CRISIS.

>> Jeff: EVER.

>> Sue: SHERYL CHERYL BOST IS PRESIDENT OF MARYLAND EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAID THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES.

>> WE HAVE TO BUILD TRUST.

WE HAVE TO SHOW RESULTS.

AND THEY WILL BE GRADUAL.

WE'VE HAD HAD SETBACKS WITH THE PANDEMIC.

WE'VE HAD A SETBACK WITH A DELAY GRT GOVERNOR'S SPROIPT WE CAN OVERCOME THOSE SETBACKS AS LONG AS WE HAVE INVESTMENTS AND COLLABORATION WITH EVERYONE, BOTH LOCAL, STATE, INSIDE THE CLASSROOM AND OUR FEELS.

>> Sue: AND THERE ARE CHALLENGES AS WELL FOR THE STATE'S 24 JURISDICTIONS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS AND GOALS OF THE BLUEPRINT.

>> I HAVE SAID MANY, P, MANY TIMES ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

AND THAT CERTAINLY APPLIES TO THE BLUEPRINT.

>>> EVER BLIEWRT.

>> Sue: REPRESENT THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION AT THE STATE HOUSE SAID SOME JURISDICTIONS ARE ASKING FOR A LITTLE MORE TIME TO SUBMIT THEIR PLANS BUT ARE NOT PUSHING BACK ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLUEPRINT.

>> IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE BY SCALE FOR SOME OF OUR SMALLEST SYSTEMS TO RAISE SALARIES FOR NATIONALLY BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND TO ACHIEVE THAT STARTING SALARY OF $60,000 AND TO PLEM SOME OF THE REFORMS -- IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE REFORMS LIKE THE EXPANSION OF FULL-DAY PRE-K FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD AND Y STACKING PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE PROVIDERS.

>> Jeff: FOR FROM THE OF THE PRESAY THE PTA WITH CHAPTERS IN 17 JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE STATE, PARENTS ARE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOICES ARE ALSO INCLUDED AS THE BLUEPRINT MOVES FORWARD.

>> WE WANT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR POTENTIAL MET.

WE WANT CHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WITH REGARDS TO EDUCATION.

WE CARE ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

>> PUBLIC EDUCATION TRULY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE GREAT EQUALIZER.

THAT'S PROVIDE STUDENTS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS WITH HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

>> Sue: ARE SWRIN A SENIOR AT WITH ALL THE WHITMAN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE STUDENT, OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

HE'S BEEN A ADVOCATE OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR SEVERAL YEARS JOINING WITH OTHER STUDENTS IN ANNAPOLIS TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS' VOICES WERE HEARD.

>> INVESTMENTS INTO BOTH CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES CAN REALLY HELP OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVE ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE, THEIR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, SO I THINK THAT'S ONE GREAT WAY THAT THE BLUEPRINT IS IMPROVING THE EXPERIENCE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT IT CREATES FOR STUDENTS.

>> Sue: KNEW AND THE FISSION FOR THE STATE'S SYSTEM AS THE BLUEPRINT MOVED FORWARD OVER NEXT DECADE?

>> THE VISION IS THAT AS STUDENTS ARE ENTERING PRE-KINDERGARTEN, THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR EDUCATORS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH RESPECT TO THE EXPECTATION THAT BY THE END OF TENTH GRADE, ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE CREJ AND COLLEGE AND YEAR READY.

>> Sue: I'M SUE KOPEN REPORTING FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: AND JOINING US NOW FOR MORE ON THE LIEWRPT IS SHAMOYIA GARDINER WHO IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STRONG SCHOOLS MARYLAND.

MS. GARDINER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FROM YOUR STANDPOINT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY OR THE TWO OR THREE -- ARE THE TWO OR THREE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THIS?

>> Shamoyia Gardiner: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

WE HAVE TO START WITH THE FACT THAT THE BLUEPRINT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED WITH FIDELITY IN ORDER FOR US TO SEE ANY OF THE OUTCOME THAT ARE ON THE TABLE.

NOW, THE BLUEPRINT IS FOCUSED IN FIVE KEY AREAS: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, INCREASING THE QUALITY AND RACIAL DIVERSITY OF THE TEACHER WORKFORCE, NEW COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PATHWAYS, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF ALL STUDENTS, AND GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS TO ENSURE THAT THIS MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT REALLY DOES WORKS A INTENDED.

AND SO FOR IMPLEMENTATION TO SUCCEED, ACCOUNTABILITY HAS TO BE IN PLACE.

BUT ACCOUNTABILITY ISN'T JUST STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

IT IS THE FOLKS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE BLUEPRINT, HAVING A SAY IN HOW TO THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WILL CHANGE IN RESPONSE TO THE LAW.

>> Jim: WONDER IF YOU STOPPED TEN PEOPLE ON THE STREET AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT, IF THE PUBLIC REALLY IS DEEPLY INVESTED IN THIS AT THIS POINT.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT TO GET OUT?

AND ARE THERE ANY MISCONCEPTIONS THAT YOU WANT TO CHALLENGE?

>> Shamoyia Gardiner: DEFINITELY.

SO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE AT ITS CORE IS A PROMISE OF A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT IN THE STATE, AND THAT IS WHAT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND.

NOW, WE'VE HAD DETRACTORS SAY A MULTITUDE OF THINGS THAT THANKFULLY DON'T MATTER NOW BECAUSE THE BLUEPRINT IS LAW, AND WHAT THIS MEANS IS IS THE STATE IS INVESTING MORE UP TO THE POINT OF $3.4 BILLION ANNUALLY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ENSURING THAT WE ARE DIRECTING RESOURCES TO WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED MOST, TO STUDENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH CONCENTRATIONS OF POVERTY AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL, TO FAMILIES THAT NEED ACCESS TO EARLY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND FAMILY SUPPORTS, AS WELL AS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE WONDERING WHAT IS THE POINT OF SCHOOL?

WHAT IS NEXT FOR ME AFTER GRADUATION AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, CERTIFICATION AND ALL THE POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES THEY CAN IMAGINE.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND WHO YOU REPRESENT IN THIS PROCESS.

>> Shamoyia Gardiner: YES.

SO STRONG SCHOOLS MARYLAND WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE FORMATION OF KIRWAN COMMISSION WHICH IS THE BODY THAT MADE THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT BECAME THE BLUEPRINT LAW, AND OUR FOUNDER DR. DAVID HORNBECK UNDERSTOOD ONE SIMPLE THING, ALL OF THIS HIGH LEVEL POLICY CONVERSATION HAPPENING IN ANNAPOLIS WASN'T GOING TO BE WORTH VERY MUCH IF STUDENTS, THE TEACHERS, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED BY IT DIDN'T HAVE A SAY.

AND SO STRONG SCHOOLS MARYLAND IS REALLY WELL-KNOWN FOR TEAMS OF TEN MODEL WHERE WE ASK ANYONE WHO VALUES EDUCATIONAL EQUITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE PEOPLE ALREADY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

IT CAN BE THE FOLKS YOU ATTEND CHURCH WITH.

IT CAN BE YOUR FAMILY.

IT WILL BE YOUR EDGES COLLEAGUES.

JUST ENGAGE NINE OTHER PEOPLE AND ONCE A MONTH COME TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT,, LEARN ABOUT WAYS THAT YOU CAN TAKE ACTION AND REALLY GET INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTATION.

SO WE ARE ACTUALLY PRETTY UNIQUE BECAUSE ONCE WE GOT THE LEGISLATIVE WIN, ONCE BLUEPRINT VETO WAS OVERRIDDEN IN TWOON WE DIDN'T -- 2021 WE DIDN'T GO AWAY BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND IMPLEMENTATION IS THE LONG GAME AND IT DOES DIRECTLY IMPACT FOLKS, KEEPING AN EYE ON THE STATE AND LOCAL ACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING US WORLD CLASS SCHOOLS.

>> >> Jeff: SO IF PEOPLE IN FAR FLUNG PARTS OF MARYLAND WANT TO BE INVOLVED, YOU'RE SAYING THIS ISN'T TOTALLY A TOP-DOWN PROCESS COMING OUT OF ANNAPOLIS BUT THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL ENGAGEMENT.

>> Shamoyia Gardiner: ABSOLUTELY.

NOW, WHAT WE CAN EXPECT WITH THE BLUEPRINT IS THAT THE ACCOUNTABLE AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD IS GOING TO DRAFT A STATE PLAN.

WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY'RE ACCEPTING WRITTEN COMMENT ON THAT UNTIL THE 23rd WHICH IS NEXT WEEK, WEDNESDAY.

AND AFTER THAT STATE PLAN IS APPROVED ON DECEMBER 1st, OUR LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS, OUR BLUEPRINT IMPLEMENTATION FOR DEVELOPING LOCAL PLANS BYLE MARCH 15th, AND THAT IS THE KEY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS INTEND TO DO WITH THESE NEW INVESTMENTS, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE COORDINATING RESOURCES, AND MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD IN THE PROCESS SO THAT WE'RE ALL REALLY INVESTED IN MAKING SURE WE ACHIEVE THOSE GREAT OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS.

>> Jeff: LET ME ASK A SKEPTICAL QUESTION.

I MEAN, THIS CREATES A LARGE ORGANIZATION.

YOU COULD CALL IT A NEW BUREAUCRACY, AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FOCUS ON THAT.

I WONDER IF MAYBE IT'S PREOCCUPIED THE EDUCATION WORLD, AND BECAUSE OF THE TIME AND RESOURCES GOING INTO THIS, MAYBE WE HAVEN'T DONE A PRETTY JOB HELPING THE KID WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND DURING THE PANDEMIC IN TERMS OF GETTING AN ARMY OF TUTORS OUT THERE TO GET THESE KIDS CAUGHT UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

>> Shamoyia Gardiner: SO TO THAT I WOULD SAY THE ACCOUNTABLE AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD IS A BRAND NEW STATE AGENCY.

IT'S NOT SUPER LARGE.

THEY'VE ONLY GOT FUNDING FOR ABOUT15 STAFF AND THEY'RE WORKING ON GETTING FULLY STAFFED RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY.

CRITICS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING ALWAYS THROW AROUND ACCOUNTABILITY AND VEILED INSULTS THAT WE KNOW ARE OFTEN DOG WHISTLES TO ENSURE THAT WE CANNOT MAKE THE PROGRESS THAT WE KNOW STUDENTS REQUIRE IN ORDER TO SUCCEED.

AND SO THE ACCOUNTABLE AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD I THINK IS LESS A BUREAUCRACY AND LESS A DISTRACTION THAN IT IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE BLUEPRINT IS ALLOWED TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS TO SUCCEED.

THE BLUEPRINT ALSO DOES MAKE SPECIFIC TARGETED INVESTMENTS IN TUTORING SUPPORTS, SO THERE'S TRANSITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION DOLLARS AND A RATIO OF ONE EDUCATOR OR ONE TOUR THE TO FOUR STUDENTS EMBEDDED IN THE BLUEPRINT TO ENSURE THAT OUR YELLOWS LEARNERS, IF THEY GET OFF-TRACK, IF THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY ACQUIRING LITERACY SKILLS, RECEIVE INTERVENTIONS BEFORE THEY GET FURTHER ALONG IN THEIR CAREERS AND THE CONSEQUENCES ARE MORE DIRE.

SO IT DOES MAKE THAT INVESTMENT AND IT'S A VERY, VERY LONG PROCESS BUT NECESSARY.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND AS AN EDUCATOR.

YOU HEAR FROM TEACHES ALL THE TIME ABOUT -- TEACHERS ALL THE TIME ABOUT JUST HOW REWARDING THE PROFESSION CAN BE WHEN THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND AT THE SAME TIME HOW FRUSTRATING IT CAN BE WHEN THERE ARE BARRIERS TO THAT.

>> Shamoyia Gardiner: YEAH.

AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE MAINTAIN WITH EDUCATORS IN A VARIETY FORMATS, SO WE CONSISTENTLY HEAR THAT AS A FORMER SECONDARY SCIENCE TEACHER, I AM CONSISTENTLY HIT WITH WAVES OF EMPATHY FOR WHAT IT IS THE EDUCATORS ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

AND THE WAY IN WHICH MANY OF US ASSUME THAT THEY THEMSELF HAVE BEEN VOTING TO ADDRESS ARE NOW FALLING ON THEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT IN THE BLUEPRINT IS ITS SECOND PILLAR FOCUS ON THE QUALITY AND DIVERSITY OF THE TEACHER WORKFORCE IN THE STATE.

LISTENERS MAY NOT KNOW THIS OR VIEWERS MAY NOT KNOW THIS, BUT THE STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN MARYLAND IS 70 PERCENT STUDENTS OF COLOR AND ABOUT 30% WHITE, AND OUR EDUCATOR WORKFORCE IS THE EXACT INVERSE OF THAT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT TEACHERS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT LIBRARIANS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS, ET CETERA.

AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ON THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHERS.

ONE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY LISTENING TO THEM AND UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY REQUIRE IN ORDER TO SUCCEED AND REALLY TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY WHEN WE LISTEN TO THEM AND THEN TAKING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS INTO ACCOUNT.

AND THE SECOND IS WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE BEING VERY CRITICAL ABOUT WHO IT IS WE CHOOSE TO PLACE IN FRONT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE A STUDENT IN MARYLAND WE'LL BE EDUCATING FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DECADES, LOOK AND ARE VERY, VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN EDUCATED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE PAST, AND IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT EVERYONE WHO IS AN ADULT IN A SCHOOL BUILDING UNDERSTAND THAT, IS VALUED AND VALUES THEIR STUDENTS AS WELL.

>> Jeff: JAM SHAMOYIA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STRONG SCHOOLS MARYLAND.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Jeff: NOW FOR A NATIONAL VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EDUCATION, WE SPOKE WITH FORMER NEW YORK STATE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION DAVID STEINER WHO IS NOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION POLICY.

STIENCHTS.

>> David Steiner, Ph.D.: WE'VE HAD THE RECORD NOW OF THE NAEP ARE RESULTS.

THIS IS THE NATIONAL REPORT CARD, IF YOU WILL, SHOWING THE WORST EXAMPLES, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR NINE YEARS IN MATHEMATICS IN OVER THREE DECADE.

AND THE ATTENTION TO THOSE RESULTS IS MERITED.

WE REALLY ARE FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED DECLINE IN LEARNING, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE WE WERE BUILDING ON GREAT SUCCESS.

WE HAD TWO DECADES OF ESSENTIALLY FLAT ACADEMIC OUT-COMMENTS COMES BEFORE COVID, SO COVID HAS MADE AN ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION MUCH WORSE.

SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING.

AND THE SECOND I THINK ARE THE CULTURAL WARS NOW GOING ON IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AS YOU KNOW, ON THE ONE HAND A LOT OF NOISE FRANKLY AROUND CRITICAL RACE STUDY, CRITICAL RACE THEORY, A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE POLITICIZATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS, A QUESTION OF WHETHER WE AREN'T TAKING OUR EYES OFF THE CORE, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS IN CLASSROOMS, TEACHERS TEACHING MATERIAL TO STUDENTS, AND INSTEAD FOCUSED ON A LOT OF CULTURAL BAGGAGE WHICH WON'T HELP FRANKLY OUR STUDENTS' LEARNING.

AND THAT IN A CONTEXT WHERE WE'VE BEEN FRANKLY LYING TO OURSELVES ABOUT PERFORMANCE OVER A LONG PERIOD.

OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES HAVE BEEN STEADILY RISING.

OUR GRADE POINT AVERAGES HAVE BEEN STEADILY RISING.

AND OUR ACADEMIC OUTCOMES HAVE, IN FACT, BEEN COMPLETELY FLAT.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS IT'S EASIER AND EASIER TO GET As AND Bs.

WE'RE TELLING PARENTS THAT THEIR KIDS ARE DOING FINE, AND THEY AREN'T.

>> Jeff: LET ME PICK UP ON THE PANDEMIC IMPACT ON LEARNING LOSS.

I SAW A QUOTE FROM YOU.

THIS IS A YEAR OLD, BUT YOU SAID, "REMEDIATION DONE WORK."

>> RIGHT.

>> Jeff: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THESE KIDS?

I THINK -- I IMAGINE THAT A CHILD IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CATCH UP.

I WORRY ABOUT THE KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL WHOSE HOLE EXPOOL HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WAS DISRUPTED, AND THERE IS NO TIME TO CATCH UP.

>> David Steiner, Ph.D.: WELL, I THINK 1ST OF ALL WHY THE REMARK ABOUT REMEDIATION BECAUSE REMEDIATION MEANS YOU GO BACK TO TRY TO TEACH THE STUDENT EVERYTHING SHE OR HE MISSED IN THE PAST.

NOW, FIRST THING TO KNOW ABOUT THAT IS MEANWHILE STUDENTS WHO ARE AT GRADE LEVEL, THEY DON'T STOP.

THEY KEEP LEARNING.

SO EVEN IF REMEDIATION WORKED, THE CHILD WOULD END UP WELL BEHIND ALL OVER AGAIN.

SECOND PROBLEM IS IT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE WHEN YOU TELL A CHILD THEY'RE BEING REMEDIATED, THEY KNOW THEY'RE BEING TAUGHT DOWN TO, THEY KNOW THEY'RE LOSING GROUND WHEN I WILL THEORY PEERS ADVANCE, AND WHAT THE TEACHER FINDS IS THAT THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF GAPS, ALL SORTS OF HOLES.

THE MORE THAT TEACHER ADDITION INTO WHAT'S MISSING, THE MORE SHE FINDS IS MISSING.

AND THE GAP IS NEVER CLOSED.

WE KNOW THIS FROM NATIONAL DATA.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING INSTEAD IS ACCELERATING.

WE NEED TO USE TARGETED TUTORING, LONGER SCHOOL DAYS, FOCUSING ON SUMMER LEARNING, SO AS TO CHOOSE THE MATERIALS THAT WE KNOW STUDENTS ABSOLUTELY MUST MASTER TO ADVANCE TO GRADE LEVEL, NOT TO GO BACKWARDS AND TRY TO FILL OUT ALL THE HOLES IN THEIR LEARNING BUT TO PROVIDE THEM, BASED ON GOOD DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS, THE UNDERSTANDING THEY MUST HAVE TO ACCESS GRADE LEVEL MATERIAL.

AND WE SIMPLY HAVEN'T DONE THAT AS A NATION.

>> Jeff: YOU SERVED ON THE KIRWAN COMMISSION THAT LED TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND EDUCATION THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT PROCESS, YOUR LEVEL OF OPERATE MULTIPLE AND THAT IT IS GOING TO MAKE A -- OPTIMISM THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS HOPED OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

>> David Steiner, Ph.D.: I WISH I WERE OPTIMISTIC.

I TRULY DO.

THERE WERE IMPORTANT PROPOSES MADE IN THAT CONTRACT INCLUDING PAYING TEACHERS BETTER.

WE HAVE A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH REALLY TEACHER MORALE AND GOOD RECRUITING.

THERE WERE IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS ABOUT CREATING A MUCH STRONGER CAREER AND TECHNICAL TRACK FOR CHILDREN.

TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN GO INTO COLLEGE, NEVER GRAUD AND CAN COME OUT WITH JUST DEBT AND NO CAREER PROSPECTS.

SO THERE WERE GOOD CONCRETE INNING THERE.

BUT BICKERING OVER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OVERSIGHT BOARD, A LACK OF LEADERSHIP, WHICH I HOPE CHANGES NOW AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND A LOT OF RECENT DISCUSSION ABOUT DISTRICTS SAYING, OH, WE'RE NOT REALLY ONBOARD 1 WE NEED MORE MONEY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

>> Jeff: IS MARYLAND'S EDUCATION REFORM EFFORT AN OUTLIER OR IS IT -- WHEN YOU LOOK AT EDUCATION NATIONALLY, IS IT A LINE WITH WHAT OTHER STATES AND DISTRICTS ARE TRYING TO DO?

>> David Steiner, Ph.D.: IN THEORY WHAT WE RECOMMENDED FROM THE KIRWAN COMMISSION IS CONSIST WITH GOOD RESEARCH, BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION.

WE CAN WRITE AS MANY BLUEPRINTS AND MANUAL AS WE WISH.

IN THE END WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CLASSROOM IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS, RIGHT?

OUR TEACHERS USING STRONGER CURRICULUM, SOMETHING WE URGED.

IN SOME DISTRICTS, LIKE BALTIMORE CITY, YES, THEY ARE, AND THAT'S REALLY TO THE CREDIT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HER TEAM.

IN OTHER DISTRICTS NOT SO MUCH.

IS THE TRAINING BEING DONE OF TUTORS?

SO JUST TUTORING ANYTHING DOESN'T HELP.

IF YOU SAY ONE THING ABOUT HOW TO SOLVE MATH PROBLEMS AND THE REGULAR CLASSROOM TEACHER SAYS ANOTHER, THE KID'S JUST CONFUSED.

AL ARE WE ALIGNING OUR TUTORING WITH CLASSROOM?

I DOUBT IT.

RIGHT?

I DON'T SEE THAT EVIDENCE.

ARE WE REALLY FOCUSED ON A STRONG BUILDING OF STATEWIDE CAREER AND TECHNICAL PATHWAYS WITH INDUSTRY, ARTICULATED WITH INDUSTRY AND OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

I DON'T SEE THAT COMING AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD.

SO, YES IN THEORY, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE ARE IN SYNC, BUT IN PRACTICE THERE'S A LOT TO BE SOLVED.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED TEACHER SHORTAGES AND TEACHER PAY.

THE WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO HELP TEACHERS?

IT'S A GREAT PROFESSION.

IT DOES NOT PAY GREAT.

IT HAS SOME PERKS.

GET SUMMERS OFF.

YOU GET A PENSION WHICH IS HARD TO COME BY IN THE WORLD THESE DAYS.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING THERE?

>> David Steiner, Ph.D.: WELL, THE FIRST THING IS WE HAVE TO STOP ATTACKING THEM AS IN IF THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OUR SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

WE JUST DROP ERR 1 OF THOSE PROBLEMS AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE DOOR AND SAY TO TEACHERS, YOU SOLVE IT, PLEASE.

THAT IS JUST UNREALISTIC.

SECOND WILL BE WE HAVE TO STOP ASKING TEACHERS TO BE CURRICULUM DESIGNERS AS WELL AS TEACHERS.

THEY SPEND SIX TO NINE HOURS A WEEK PULLING STUFF OFF THE INTERNET, PINTEREST, TEACHERS ABOUT A TEACHERS AND THEN ACTING LIKE DEEJAYS EAFS CRICK LBL PLAY LISTS.

THAT MEANS THAT THE QUALITY OF YOUR KID'S EDUCATION IS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON THE LUCK OF YOUR KID'S TEACHER.

LOOK, TEACHERS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON TEACHING.

WE SHOULD GIVE THEM THE BEST CURRICULUM THEY CAN.

THEN THEY CAN MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS AS THEY WISH.

BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING TWO JOBS.

THEY SHOULD JUST BE DOING THE TEACHING JOB.

AND THIRDLY WE NEED LEADERSHIP FROM PRADZ.

WE KNOW THAT THE BIGGEST REASON WE LOSE TEACHERS IS THEY DO FEEL SUPPORTED BY THEIR PRINCIPAL, AND SO WE HAVE TO INVEST IN PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP PREPARING SO THAT WE GET THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP WE NEED.

>> Jeff: WHEN WE LOOK AT EDUCATION NATIONALLY, GLOBALLY, THE FLIEDZ DOES NOT -- UNITED STATES DOES NO POAMPLE AS WELL AS WE WOULD LIKE FORM AS AS WELL AS WE WOULD LIKE.

SITS A SOCIAL THING IN THE UNITED STATES, A POLITICAL THING?

WHACKY WE DOING MORE DIFFERENT TO BE MORE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE?

>> David Steiner, Ph.D.: WE ARE ENGAGED IN CREATING SO MANY PROXIES FOR WHAT WE THUD BE FOCUSED ON.

WHAT I DO I MEAN BY THAT?

LOOK, WE TALK ABOUT CRITICAL THINKING.

I'M SURE YOU'VE THEARD THEARD THAT OF PHRASE, WE HAD YOU HAD ALL BE TEACHING CRITICAL THINKING.

WELL, CAN'T THINK ABOUT NOTHING IN PARTICULAR.

YOU HAVE TO LEARN SOMETHING TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT IT.

WE CAN'T BYPASS ACADEMIC CONTENT.

>> Jeff: OR THANKS TO DR. STEINER AND WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "STATE CIRCLE."

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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