Maryland State Department of Education officials have decided not to yield to public opinion and will not let the public stand to ask questions at tonight's forum on the common core in Prince George's County.
A video of a man being arrested for speaking up at a public forum the state held two weeks ago got about 500,000 page views, and the department's rule of not allowing speakers was widely criticized. (The charges against the protester were dropped.) The department is not changing the rules. Spokesman Bill Reinhard said only written questions would be accepted.
Their position is that officials can answer many more questions from the public and more quickly if they can sift through the questions and decide which ones to read aloud.
Reinhard said the public was allowed to ask questions orally at the earliest of the forums, but the department decided to change the format.
Tuesday night's forum will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Charles Herbert Flowers High School, 10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Springdale in Prince George's County.
liz.bowie@baltsun.com