A raw, realistic reflection from a first-year Baltimore teacher

As this week marks the end of the school year for Baltimore City schools, I thought I'd share a piece sent to me by a first-year teacher that draws a rather provocative conclusion that many of the district's struggles are fueled by its own low expectations.

Teacher-led survey in Baltimore shows dissatisfaction with union contract

A caucus of the Baltimore Teachers Union has conducted its own survey which concluded that, of the sample participants, city teachers have been overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the union contract that is set to expire this month.

Catonsville High music teacher retiring after 40 years

The steel drum sounds that filled the room at Catonsville High School were so infectious that students playing the instruments couldn't help but dance. Music teacher Jim Wharton, the cavorting leader of the impromptu jam session, was steadily beating a cowbell when he stared out a nearby window and spotted a truck driver looking in while reversing the vehicle.

Coppin professors group responds to college review

A professors' group at Coppin State University said Monday that it shared a review committee's improvement goals for the traditionally black college, but questioned why the reviewers didn't address certain funding issues nor a perceived lack of oversight by university system leaders.

Alonso's farewell letter to Baltimore city students

Baltimore city schools CEO Andres Alonso tapped his favorite coming-of-age book by Leo Tolstoy to impart some lasting wisdom, and extend a final farewell, to city students as he closes out his last school year.

Graduation rate in Baltimore County among highest of large U.S. districts

Baltimore County had the second-highest graduation rate among large districts in the nation in 2010, according to a report released Thursday that has annually scrutinized graduates differently than most states, which also found that Baltimore City has drastically improved from being among the worst rates in the nation.

St. Mary's College president asks board not to renew his contract

St. Mary's College of Maryland President Joseph R. Urgo has asked the college's board of trustees not to renew his contract, effectively resigning under pressure from the public liberal arts college after intense questions and criticism of him about this spring's failure to enroll enough students for next year. The shortage of students could deeply harm the school's reputation and is expected to cost millions in lost tuition.

Former city schools IT chief indicted for kickback scheme

Update: According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Oberlton pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday, and released on $25,000 bond.

Heatwave and water shortage drain some city schools

As the first heat wave hit the city mid-week, at least four schools ran out of drinking water, city school officials confirmed.

City starts process of hiring superintendent search firm

Baltimore school union leaders questioned the need for an outside firm to conduct a national search for the next permanent superintendent Thursday as the school board began the process of hiring a consultant.

Former city schools chief information officer to face federal indictment

Jerome Oberlton, the former chief information officer for the Baltimore City school system whose office renovation and credit card expenditures came under fire in the months before he left his post to work in the Dallas school district, is expected to face a federal indictment, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Baltimore second in per-pupil spending, Census Bureau says

The Baltimore school system ranked second among the nation's 100 largest school districts in how much it spent per pupil in fiscal year 2011, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

State school board adopts concussion regulations

The Maryland state school board adopted regulations Tuesday that require more concussion training for those responsible for student-athletes and beef up protocols for addressing head injuries.

A Baltimore City teacher's farewell to Alonso

In the weeks following the news that city schools CEO Andres Alonso was leaving, I've come across various pieces of commentary about the legacy the schools chief will leave.

City school system passes $1.2B budget

The Baltimore school board unanimously passed a $1.2 billion budget Monday that essentially remained intact since it was presented.

Illness at Pot Spring Elementary investigated

Baltimore County health officials are investigating why about 200 students at Pot Spring Elementary in Timonium — a third of the children there — got sick with gastrointestinal symptoms last week.

Baltimore County hires consultant to assess facilities needs

The Baltimore County school system has hired a local architecture firm to help document its long-term school facilities needs, following a similar strategy the city school system used to generate a $2.4 billion plan and secure some of that funding from the General Assembly.

Inquiry leads to full correction page in city schools budget

It started with a simple question on Tuesday, May 14: Why is the line item for "Summer Learning" in the Baltimore City school system's budget blank? The Sun had published several stories about the program and its successes over the years, so to see that it had no number attached naturally piqued our interest.

Parent honored for involvement after Perry Hall shooting

A Baltimore County parent who stepped in to bring warmth and cheer back to the high school that had a chilling cafeteria shooting was recognized Friday during the state's annual Parent Involvement Matters awards.

Baltimore County's deputy superintendent to leave at the end of school year

The deputy superintendent for the Baltimore County school system will step down next month, officials confirmed Thursday.

Marietta English re-elected BTU president

Marietta English, longtime leader of the Baltimore Teachers Union, was re-elected to another term, the organization announced in a release Wednesday. 

Baltimore Teachers Union supports call to halt Common Core consequences

The Baltimore Teacher's Union has called for the district hold off on attaching penalties to schools' performance on the the new  Common Core assessments, citing insufficient professional development and resources to implement the new high-stakes curriculum.

Winner of $61k Kerr literary prize announced

As the five young writers sat with bated breath, Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post book critic Michael Dirda told them that a life of wordsmithing would bring them pain.

City school system receives seven charter applications

The city school board is considering proposals for seven charter schools that include two named for female trailblazers, another attempt at an all-male, college-preparatory program in East Baltimore, and an elementary school for at-risk youths.

Mount St. Mary's president stepping down

After a decade on the job, Mount St. Mary's University President Thomas H. Powell announced Tuesday that he plans to leave the post at the end of the next academic year.

City schools chief Alonso resigns

Baltimore schools CEO Andrés Alonso tearfully announced his resignation Monday, ending a six-year tenure marked by bold yet often divisive reforms and casting uncertainty on the future of the long-troubled school system.

Hopkins announces $4.5 billion fundraising goal

Johns Hopkins announced Saturday a $4.5 billion fundraising goal — among the largest in the country — to help the university and health system address some of the world's most challenging issues, including water scarcity, education quality and city revitalization.

Salisbury University to receive $8 million gift

Salisbury University announced Thursday the receipt of an $8 million donation — tied for the largest in its history — from the Guerrieri Family Foundation. The funds will help develop a new Academic Commons area on the Eastern Shore campus.

Synthetic marijuana among top three substances abused by high schoolers

Synthetic marijuana ranked in the top three substances abused by the nation's high school students in 2012, according to a new report compiled by the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland, College Park.

McDaniel announces its largest scholarship bequest

McDaniel College announced Monday that a $6.7 million bequest will be used to establish an endowment for scholarships, the largest in its history.