Prince George’s County officials brief funders on public education reform

By Rebekah Seder, Program Coordinator

Last week WRAG members got an in-depth look at education reform efforts underway in Prince George’s County. County Executive Rushern Baker and Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Superintendent Dr. William Hite discussed the county’s achievements over the past three years in reforming public education, despite the impact of the economic recession.

Due to the school system’s collaborative relationship with the teachers’ union – which has allowed the county to work toward improving teacher effectiveness throughout the system – PGCPS has seen significant gains in student achievement over the last three years, including the largest improvement in reading scores in the state of Maryland over the past year. During the same three year period, budget cuts have necessitated cutting 2500 PGCPS positions and implementing further salary reductions and furloughs.

Dr. Hite outlined his top education priorities, beginning with improving teacher effectiveness through a commitment to accountability, effective evaluation processes, and the provision of ample professional development opportunities. The county is already on its way to reforming teacher compensation practices after receiving a 2007 Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) grant of $18 million from the U.S. Department of Education, which has allowed the county to implement a pay-for-performance model for teacher compensation.

During the meeting Dr. Hite also announced the PGCPS had shortly before been notified of a $15 million grant from the Wallace Foundation for developing school leadership. Improving teacher and principal effectiveness is of the utmost importance; as Dr. Hite noted, “we must be intentional about who we have standing in front of our students.”

Another key reform is aimed at developing rigorous standards for high schools, then applying these reforms to middle and elementary schools. Dr. Hite also discussed efforts to engage the business community through a program that exposes students to real-life jobs relevant to the county, and through substantive summer youth employment options. In addition, PGCPS is promoting parental engagement by working with community- and faith-based organizations that host parent advocacy centers that help parents navigate the school system.

County Executive Baker, highlighting his commitment to having a long-term impact on education reform in the county despite any short-term political risks, emphasized how having a strong public education system promotes economic growth. Excellent schools attract business and investment to the county, which provide jobs and grow the commercial tax base.

Finally, noting that 54 percent of students in the school system qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, Mr. Baker and Dr. Hite discussed their efforts to address the impact of poverty on educational achievement by taking an interagency approach toward providing effective wraparound services for students and ensuring the holistic development of every students in PGCPS.