Why did MSTA endorse Martin OMalley for Governor?
The State’s recent attempt to take over some troubled Baltimore City schools was the wrong approach. Taking over schools is not a formula for improvement, and given the poor record of Edison Schools, Inc., a private company, in managing other Baltimore schools (Baltimore Sun, 7/13/06), it’s the responsibility of the State and Governor to explain how they would do things differently. Parents and educators know—and the research shows—that turning around schools that have underperformed for decades won’t happen through top-down, heavy-handed, quick fix measures. It takes an enormous amount of hard work, time and collaboration among all the stakeholders. This was exactly Mayor O’Malley’s approach. He brought together teachers, parents, students, administrators, staff and community leaders, and, as a result, Baltimore schools are making measurable progress. MSTA is endorsing Martin O’Malley for Governor not just because of his education record and approach, but also because he has worked ha
