I've written previously about Maryland's curiously disappointing participation in the Race to the Top. The state's leaders, particularly the governor, have been alternately stubborn and somnambulant, claiming that no policy changes are necessary and then merely going through the motions, betraying a sense of ambivalence or disengagement.
The state was one of only 10 states not to apply in the first round, putting itself in a category with Texas and a number of rural states that may not apply at all.
A new chapter of the tragedy was written yesterday. After months of foot-dragging, the governor finally introduced ostensibly "reform" legislation recently. But the bill was plainly inadequate considering Maryland's needs and the initiatives of other states; for example, it contains no provisions related to the state's worst-in-the-nation charter law. ??But, as evidenced in yesterday's hearing in the state senate, even this meek legislation has strong critics in the state legislature, school boards, and unions.
It's clear at this point that if any legislation passes, it will be mild at best and that many may go along with it merely because they want some RTT money. So policy will change little and even those minor changes are unlikely to be forcefully implemented.
--Andy Smarick