Once again, the ACLU is giving the impression it is a great supporter of public education in Maryland by opposing Gov. Larry Hogan's proposal to allow businesses to fund organizations that pay expenses charged by private schools ("Critics: Governor's education tax credit not making grade," April 8).
In fact, other than supporting ever greater state spending for local public schools without any accountability for how well the money is spent, the ACLU has been either silent or outspokenly opposed to most reforms that would improve the educational outcomes for public school students in Maryland.
This assessment is based in part on my tenure on the state school board. The ACLU has not been an advocate for public charter schools or reforms to the state's weak charter school law.
It resisted requiring Maryland high school students to pass tests in primary subject areas as a condition for graduation (only 47 percent of Baltimore City high school students passed these tests).
It also opposed higher disciplinary standards for students that are appropriate to their age and that would allow teachers to do their job in the classroom without unacceptable disruptions.
Finally, the ACLU has been absent from calls for greater accountability for school districts, principals and teachers for student outcomes.
The Maryland ACLU is missing a great opportunity to get on the bandwagon for real public school reform that we see in other areas of the nation.
David F. Tufaro, Baltimore