ROCKVILLE, MD (March 18, 2019) — The Maryland House of Delegates has passed a $46 billion state budget that makes it harder for students stuck in failing schools to get a better education and that lowers accountability standards for local school districts in the state, according to the Maryland Public Policy Institute.

Two budget cuts that do a disservice to students and parents are:

Maryland BOOST Program: The Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program provides scholarships for certain students in low-performing schools to transition to a better-performing non-public school. The House of Delegates cut funding for this bipartisan program from $10 million to $5.5 million.

Office of Education Accountability: The House last week cut funding for key positions in the new Maryland Office of Education Accountability, which the Hogan Administration created in response to criminal convictions against certain local education leaders, grade inflation scandals, and other reported fraudulent activity in some local education agencies.

“Maryland’s teachers’ union has demanded fewer choices for underserved students and less accountability from policymakers and parents – and the House of Delegates acquiesced,” said Christopher B. Summers, President and CEO of the Institute. “While most education professionals in Maryland are hardworking, dedicated professionals, there are too many examples of criminal activity in local school districts to ignore. We encourage the State Senate to restore funding for these important initiatives before the budget’s final passage to show parents and students that their best interests remain the most important priority in Annapolis.”

The Institute has commissioned extensive public opinion research into the education priorities of Maryland residents. Review that research at Key Findings from Maryland Voter Survey on Public Education.

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.  Learn more at mdpolicy.org.

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