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ROCKVILLE, MD (April 9, 2021) — The Maryland Public Policy Institute (MPPI) today called for Maryland’s Inspector General for Education to open an investigation into instances of student enrollment irregularities by the Baltimore City Public School System.

Following media reports of “ghost students” enrolled at Augusta Fells Savage Institute for the Visual Arts in Baltimore, MPPI outlined in a letter to the Inspector General potential scenarios that suggest a troubling picture of enrollment data inflation that deserves independent scrutiny. MPPI also highlights in its letter how enrollment data irregularities are a rising problem nationally that cost taxpayers billions of dollars. Read the Institute’s letter to the Inspector General here.

“The misconduct uncovered at Augusta Fells Savage Institute is deeply troubling and a disservice to Baltimore students and taxpayers,” said Christopher B. Summers, president and CEO of the Institute. “Marylanders deserve a full and independent audit of the Baltimore City Public School System’s student enrollment data to ensure tax dollars are being spent wisely and students are getting the quality education they deserve.”

About the Maryland Public Policy Institute: Founded in 2001, the Maryland Public Policy Institute is a nonpartisan public policy research and education organization that focuses on state policy issues. The Institute’s mission is to formulate and promote public policies at all levels of government based on principles of free enterprise, limited government, and civil society.  Learn more at mdpolicy.org.