And you guys wonder why Prince George's is a target (Baltimore: spring break, public schools)

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by DCnotDMV

Well, DC Public schools are even worst and people are still moving to DC?

"Well, DC Public schools are even worst and people are still moving to DC?"

A bit out of context, IMO.

YES people are moving into D.C.

D.C. being the central hub of our federal government their is ALWAYS turnover.

How many of those that move into D.C have school aged children?

How many of those send their kids to PRIVATE schools.

How many accentual send the kids to public schools?

I know, details, details, details!

It is amazing how things sound differently when context is added in.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by Steelers10

Yeah I'm still wondering why PG County specifically is a target. Keeping this thread germane to Maryland, every large jurisdiction in the state at some time or another has been rife with some corruption or scandal during my lifetime, and multiple instances of it. This is simply not news (at least news in a variety that singles out PG County as some bastion of corruption that deserves any more attention then any other of the largest Maryland counties or Baltimore City):

COURT SAYS AGNEW TOOK BRIBES; ORDERS REPAYMENT

Opportunity in Md. political corruption

Moving toward resolution in Arundel

In Scandal’s Wake, Howard, Maryland Reconsider Wells Fargo

MCPS principal kept child sex abuse case quiet to avoid 'scandal,' prosecutors say

"Yeah I'm still wondering why PG County specifically is a target"

It isn't really rocket science.

People post on things THEY are interested in.

Other people with the same interest respond.

There is NOTING stopping you, or anybody else from starting a thread on another county and those interested will respond.

It IS that simple.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by seanlax

Yeah the headlines down here don't fit this thread's.... agenda?... either.

TBH this thread just seems like a great topic to discuss and an immature way to frame that discussion.

"TBH this thread just seems like a great topic to discuss and an immature way to frame that discussion."

The elitist have arrived!

[gjosephunf]

Originally Posted by Quick Enough

"TBH this thread just seems like a great topic to discuss and an immature way to frame that discussion."

The elitist have arrived!

No one is being "elitist" there is a group of concerned citizens that are tired of the status quo. For decades there has been corruption and mis-management with leaders electing buddies from "church" or unqualified individuals for show instead of leading and truly being innovative for the kids.

[Jalux]

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

No one is being "elitist" there is a group of concerned citizens that are tired of the status quo. For decades there has been corruption and mis-management with leaders electing buddies from "church" or unqualified individuals for show instead of leading and truly being innovative for the kids.

Well that's not changed at all. There's plenty of qualified candidates running for office but they aren't willing to sacrifice integrity for votes. If you guys are serious about making change (beyond taking an opportunity to gripe about the state of things), look up candidates running in the June Primary elections. Later, do the same for the candidates running in the November General elections. Choose to vote for the ones you feel are best qualified to do the job and BE the change! Stop voting for (or failing to vote against) failed incumbents and unqualified but nevertheless charismatic salespersons. Vote for candidates of experience, appropriate background, a solid and open platform/track record, and are principled.

[Lubina]

North Beach,

Where do you live or did you live in Prince George's county?

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Lubina

North Beach,

Where do you live or did you live in Prince George's county?

Live in Calvert. Taught in Prince George's for 31 years, which most of the posters here knew and which I mentioned earlier in the thread. So yes, I do have some standing which is probably what you're trying to say I don't.

[G1..]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Agnew was 50 years ago while only one of the rest deals with a school system.

Since 2000 here are some major "issues" PGCPS has faced.

The elected School Board is abolished by the Legislature and is replaced by a Board appointed by the Governor, County Executive with input from the County's Legislative Delegation (ie: Sen. Thomas V. "Mike" Miller). The stated reasons were general dysfunction and inability to get along with Superintendent Iris Metts, a very good friend of then State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick.

The newly appointed Board discovers that Metts really is impossible to get along with. Dr. Metts resigns when it's discovered that PGCPS has a 5 year ineligibility for federal education grants due to misuse of previous ones.

The appointed Board hires Dr. Andre Hornsby. He resigns just before being indicted for taking kickbacks from school system vendors while he was Superintendent. He is later convicted of bribery charges and receives a 7 year sentence.

Hornsby is replaced as Superintendent by the outgoing appointed Board, an elected Board having been authorized to take over in a few months, by Dr. John Deasy.

Dr. Deasy implements new programs, a major one requiring all high schools to offer a minimum of eight AP classes called the AP8. A good program but schools had to offer the same list of courses with no variation. That was later amended to any eight AP courses.

Another program initiated by Deasy was the hiring of foreign teachers. More on that later.

Before the foreign recruitment of teachers really began Deasy resigns when questions about the validity of his doctorate surface.

Dr. Deasy is replaced by Dr. William Hite, his chief deputy and only applicant.

Hite ramps up the recruitment of foreign teachers, implements some new programs and eliminates others. He is noted for referring to the system's teachers as "human cattle" and "dumb deadbeats" in an address to administrators.

Hite leaves under fire for personnel issues, primarily abuse of the foreign teacher recruitment program. Fees for visas were illegally charged to the foreign teachers. Those fees were refunded to the teachers, the school system had to pay a $3M fine, was enjoined from recruiting internationally for five years and could not sponsor a visa extension for those teachers who had been hired. Many had to return to their home countries while others went to other school systems which were allowed to sponsor them.

The coordinator of the foreign teacher program is asked to resign and her severance pay is suspended by the Board. The CFA writes the check anyway, resigns and then joins Hite in Philadelphia.

While the elected Board is searching for a replacement for Hite County Executive Baker requests emergency legislation at the end of the legislative term wresting control of schools from the elected Board and placing in the office of the County Executive. That legislation passes.

Baker then hires Dr. Maxwell as CEO and installs his ex-brother in law as School Board Chairman as well as appointing a majority of Board members.

Maxwell implements new programs and eliminates others. He tries very hard to smooth relations with teachers which Hite had nearly destroyed.

The Deonte Carroway sex abuse scandal hits.

The grade fixing scandal hits (in the interest of honesty that had been going on since athletes were required to maintain a 2.0 GPA beginning in the 1980s).

The unauthorized raises become public.

I know a couple participants don't see the connection between turmoil in the schools and the inability to attract business headquarters and, recently, the FBI, which truly should have been a no brainer.

Great post, +1

[Lubina]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Live in Calvert. Taught in Prince George's for 31 years, which most of the posters here knew and which I mentioned earlier in the thread. So yes, I do have some standing which is probably what you're trying to say I don't.

Not trying to say it, but carry on.

[InchingWest]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Unfortunately, race is intertwined in every facet of inequality in this country and that includes education. If anyone is using a race card, it isn't people of color. Look to those who have the power and the resources to use race to horde privilege while at the same time oppress others that don't look like them.

I agree, so that raises the question: why aren't Black children putting in an equal amount of effort compared to what most White children and the vast majority of Asian children are putting in?

And why aren't Black parents raising their children to behave better in school so that they might have a better learning environment? And why aren't they raising their children to put more effort into their schooling?

You talk about power and "privilege", but I see a majority Black county can elect it's own government and no one is oppressed or denied their right to vote. I'm not "hoarding" anything or "oppressing" anyone. I don't have time to oppress anyone. Want to do better in school? Go do it. Want a better job? Go get it. I'm not holding anyone back.

And resources? Last I checked Baltimore City and PG county spend more money per student than any other district in Maryland yet still manage to get last place in results. Why is that? It stands to reason that the problem has nothing to do with money.

People often want to talk about the inequality of results, but people like you never seem to want to discuss the inequality of inputs. Garbage in = Garbage out.

Maybe smart people just put more effort into learning and understanding things, but oh no, we need to coddle idiots and throw more money at them because the results are unequal!!!

Maybe fit people just put more effort into diet and exercise. Oh no, those fat lazy people are being oppressed and discriminated against! The results are unequal and clearly the government needs to throw money at this problem and the media needs to chastise "fit privilege"

And maybe a great many well-to-do people just put more effort into saving money instead of blowing it. Hey if you want to give 10% of your income over to 7-11 for cigarettes and energy drinks, that's fine. I'll cook at home and drink tap water then use the savings for investments. Maybe I'll drive a Honda while you drive that Escalade. But oh no, but we have an inequality of the results without looking at and discussing the thousands of inputs that cause the disparities. There must be inherent oppression somewhere in the system!!!