Maryland, America’s wealthiest state, took a long, hard look at its overstretched budget. It dissected every line of public-education spending—which accounted for 47 percent of the state’s total outlay in 2009—and searched for places where it could make the hard cuts needed to save its school system. And what did it finger? Perhaps its generous teacher pensions and healthcare benefits? Its onerous rules and regulations? Nope. Instead, on the chopping block is the state’s recently created American government examination (passage of which was soon to be a requirement of high school graduation). In reference to the decision to axe the U.S. government exam, a spokesperson for the governor called it “one of those difficult cuts [that] became necessary to address the deficit.” Really, Old Line State? Of all the potential budget tweaks and trims, the one necessary to address the deficit was a cut that would undermine U.S. government and history education while saving a measly $1.9 million? Nice priorities.
“Government high school test may be eliminated,” by Jason Felch and Jason Song, Los Angeles Times, January 21, 2011.