Annapolis, Md. – Senate Republicans offered the following reactions to the hearing and conversation on Governor Moore’s “Excellence in Public Schools Act” that makes significant changes to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Education Plan. The Bill, SB429 had a joint hearing with four General Assembly Committees this afternoon.
“Today’s hearing on the Governor’s Blueprint Bill was illuminating and concerning. While responding to questions from our members, the Governor’s Chief of Staff confirmed that we are unable to fund the Blueprint long-term and that the Governor is supportive of new, even bigger taxes to pay for it,” said Senator Paul Corderman, ranking Republican member of the Senate’s Budget & Taxation Committee. “It was alarming to learn from the State Superintendent of Schools that after multiple years and billions spent, our test scores and graduation scores have not improved. We need a course correction.”
“Collaborative Time has been one of the most troublesome concepts of the Blueprint,” said Senator Mary Beth Carozza, member of the Senate’s Education, Energy and the Environment Committee. “Having teachers only with students 60% of the day and sourcing additional educational professionals to cover the other 40% of the day, is an expensive prospect. It also has the possible unintended consequences of decreasing instructional time and negatively impacting academic performance. I was glad to hear that the Accountability and Implementation Board Chair agreed and would be reviewing the 60/40 ratio and considering policy changes.”
“The entire Blueprint needs to be reevaluated. Maryland simply can’t move forward with it in its current posture, the state can’t afford it, the counties can’t afford it, and parents want an education reform focused on student achievement and not the priorities of the teachers’ union,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey.