I have been tough on Maryland's governor for his state's startlingly anemic Race to the Top performance. ??Whereas other governors have supported bold reforms, he has professed contentment with the status quo. That has been regrettable.
But I have to give credit where due.
For a couple years, a scholarship tax credit bill has been fighting its way through the state legislature, even passing the State Senate before failing in the House. The legislation, modeled after the successful programs in Pennsylvania and other states, would enable corporations to receive tax credits when they make charitable contributions to programs that provide scholarships to needy private school students.
This week, the governor, a liberal Democrat, sent a letter to the legislature supporting the bill. Moreover, he did so, in large part, because of the growing number of closures among high-performing urban private schools.
The BOAST bill will increase scholarships for children in low- and middle-income families and stabilize enrollment in nonpublic schools. I believe the bill is crucial if we are to stem the tide of private school closures in the state. These closures represent a loss of educational diversity and opportunity for our students and will ultimately increase costs and enrollment pressures on our public school systems. The BOAST tax credit will help preserve Maryland's rich tradition of high performing public and private schools.
Unfortunately, the letter doesn't make another important point--that the tax credit bill will provide meaningful options to disadvantaged students assigned to persistently failing public schools. But that omission can be forgiven given the significant signal sent by the letter.
This governor has disappointingly cast a very small and inverted shadow over his state's K-12 policy over the last three years; whereas many of his peers, including those on the left, have embraced reform, particularly via RTT, his agenda has been decidedly meager and orthodox, even antiquated.
But he deserves credit for this letter and his support for this important legislation. They serve his state and his reputation well.
--Andy Smarick