BRIGHT BULB On a roll
For the first time ever under the No Child Left Behind Act, Baltimore City Public Schools made the grade, otherwise known as “adequate yearly progress.” Both elementary and high schools met progress standards. This is more shocking than the system’s enrollment increase. If elementary and high schools continue to improve next year, the school system will move off a state watch list of districts in trouble. Baltimore City Schools not in trouble? We’re not holding our breath — but wouldn’t it be something?
OUTRAGE: Would you like some cheese with that whine?
WHO: Heads of Baltimore City government organizations
WHAT: They are running to Mayor Sheila Dixon, begging her to save funds for their organizations. The school system doesn’t think the money should come from our children. The police don’t think money should come from law enforcement. Firefighters don’t think their operations should be cut. Disability services say they don’t have room to cut. …
WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: If the city budget had not increased 11 percent this year, we would not be forced to trim. Besides, we can’t spend what we don’t have, regardless of the worthiness of a particular agency.
WHERE TO VENT: Call the City Council at 410-396-4804
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s not like we’re failing miserably. … It’s both the best time and the worst time to be doing this — now more than ever there needs to be a renewed energy to end homelessness because the numbers are increasing because of the economy and the foreclosures.”
– Diane Glauber, president of Baltimore Homeless Services, on the mayor’s unmet goals for homelessness progress in the city
