#MEC
@marylandeducationcoalition
The Maryland Education Coalition (MEC) has been in existence for over 40 years and is made up of 15 statewide organizations & individuals, who represent parents, civil rights, & special population groups including lower income, minorities,special needs, limited English, and Gifted & Talented. We advocate for adequate, equitable funding and systematic accountability for the estimated 900,000 public school students in Maryland’s public schools regardless of their academic, cultural, economic, geographic,racial or other demographic status. We believe a public education allows all students access to a quality education so each may graduate college or career-ready is a constitutional right based on Article VIII of the Maryland Constitution. We also believe it is a civil right* based on several federal and state laws or regulations
MEC has seen a lot of progress, including the landmark Bridge to Excellence Act of 2002 (Thornton), that infused over 1.2 billion dollars into Maryland’s education system from 2002-2008, resulting in significant improvements in academic performance, substantial closing of achievement gaps between students of color and other race/ethnic groups and overall progress among all school districts. Maryland was the top ranked public education system in the nation for several years, with some of the highest rates of students enrolled in AP and IB courses.
Unfortunately, since the U.S. financial crisis in 2009, the state and most local governments cut public education funds. This resulted in large education funding cuts, decreases in academic performance, staffing, instructional resources and student services Also, our national ranking has gradually slipped impacting all school districts and students and it is more pronounced for lower income, special needs, limited English students and students of color.
The sentiment for robust funding continues to be popular among citizens but is unsure in Annapolis. So MEC, joined the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Coalition to monitor and address the work of the (Kirwan) Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, with the goal of ensuring that the 2020 General Assembly adequately and equitably funds public education for all students during the next decade, which includes evidence-based policies and accountability that requires meaningful stakeholder consultation in the decision-making process.
Click Below to review our
MEC joins the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Coalition to
DEMAND MARYLAND LEGISLATORS TO CLOSE
THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL FUNDING GAP IN 2020
We’re taking action to finally secure the long-term funding our students and educators deserve in the 2020 legislative session. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make sure that every student in every neighborhood has a great public school. Are you in?
Take action for Maryland schools now →
Send a message to the Maryland General Assembly:
Act now to fix the public school funding formula
Maryland’s public schools are underfunded by billions annually. It’s time for the Maryland General Assembly to pass a lasting solution -- one that addresses all aspects of the problem -- so that every neighborhood has a great public school. To make that happen, we need your help.
Click here to contact your state legislators today
LEARN MORE at: https://www.marylandblueprint.org/learn-more/
See the latest from the (Kirwan) Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education and access the history of the related documents and videos at:
http://dls.maryland.gov/policy-areas/commission-on-innovation-and-excellence-in-education#!
Public School Construction Updates & Resources
The Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) just released the Preliminary Report of the Workgroup on the Assessment and Funding of School Facilities
- Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) Web Page
The New Maryland Report Card
- Goes Beyond Test Scores
- includes a broad selection of performance indicators
See details at: