Education & Workforce Committee

 This committee reviews and explores innovative approaches to further enhance the quality of academic enrichment and extracurricular activities available to the region's youth. The committee develops policy positions to advocate at the local and state levels for reform in the public school and higher education systems, and explores initiatives that enhance the quality of workforce for a more productive region.
 

Committee Staff: Jay Hutchins, 410-727-2820, x38

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Three steps to fix our schools

Our educational system, once an object of envy, is in need of repair

A Baltimore Sun op-ed piece written by Education & Workforce Committee chairman, James Campbell on Jan. 9, 2012

The nation's public schools have been battered by a continuing stream of bad news in the past few years, challenging what at one time was considered one of the world's leading education systems. In 2010, the results of international testing comparing students in 34 developed countries showed a stunning decline in U.S. test scores. The U.S. had sunk to the middle of the pack in reading and science and near the bottom in math. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, "The hard truth is other countries have passed us by during the past two decades. Americans need to wake up to this educational reality -- instead of napping at the wheel while emerging competitors prepare their students for economic leadership."
This year, the nation's leaders will be tested to put aside partisan differences to respond to the demands of a highly competitive global economy that requires a skilled work force. Preparing to meet this challenge will become a major part of this election year's political debate. As the new year begins, here are three recommendations for policymakers to consider. ...

Full article

Education and Workforce News

2/8/13 - Baltimore Community Foundation partnered with the Maryland Campaign for Achievement Now to create a task force to study charter school reform options. The resulting report outlines the task force's findings, with recommendations for legislative action.

1/29/13 - The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) announced the release of its annual rankings of state charter school laws across the country, which found that many states took significant steps to strengthen their state laws. The report, and the NAPCS model charter school law it is based upon, is designed to support the creation of high-quality public charter schools, particularly for those students most in need of better public school options. (Read more)

Read the report - Measuring Up to the Model: A Ranking of State Charter School Laws

9/10/12 - Huffington Post, written by Dr. Kevin Manning, president of Stevenson University, GBC member and chair of the GBC's strategic planning committee (Read the full article)

9/5/12 - Baltimore Business Journal - Law firm Rosenberg Martin Greenberg LLP said Wednesday it has established a $500,000 fund to support education reform efforts in Baltimore. The fund will be established as a permanent endowment at the Baltimore Community Foundation and is in celebration of the firm’s 25th anniversary. (Read the full article)

9/4/12 - Baltimore Business Journal - The Weinberg Foundation will unveil the first three of its planned 12 school library renovations next Wednesday, a $17 million project that involves 30 businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. (Read the full article)