January 2011
Dear Friend of Maryland Education:
We did it again! I feel like we just won back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls! For the third
straight year, Education Week’s 2011 Quality Counts report has ranked Maryland first
in the nation, garnering the nation’s only B+ average. This is truly exciting for
Maryland’s public education system and worthy of celebrating.
Maryland’s ranking is based on State education policies and student performance that
reflect nearly two decades of work on preK-12 curriculum; state accountability and
standards; teacher effectiveness; and work on school readiness, high school reform, and
preparation for college and the workplace. Quality Counts uses more than 50 indicators to
develop its report.
I am extremely proud of the hard working staff at the Maryland State Department of
Education. We also have extraordinarily dedicated local superintendents and boards,
educators, legislators, students, families, and business partners. Thanks to their collective
hard work, dedication, and level of support, Maryland continues to reap national rewards.
Our goal is to create great educational opportunities for every child in every zip code.
Recognition of our State’s track record of success is gratifying to all of us who work to
strengthen our schools, but we have no intention of maintaining the status quo.
Maryland has already taken the next step in its school reform plan. Last August, we
became one of nine states to be awarded a Race to the Top federal grant. With the
additional $250 million from the federal government, we will strengthen standards for
students and educators, build a new data warehouse, and construct a foundation for
further improvement.
It is without question that we have set high standards for Maryland’s public education
system. Our promise is that we will continue to evaluate our State policies and raise the
bar to ensure that we will keep on climbing. A strong education system leads to an even
stronger State economy. Maryland’s Number One ranking for the third straight year
solidifies that Maryland is definitely the place to live, work, and receive a high-quality
education that prepares our students for the 21st century and the workforce.
Sincerely,
Nancy S. Grasmick
State Superintendent of Schools