More Funding for Quality Teachers Produces "Remarkable" Math and Reading Gains in Maryland

by Clay Burell · 2009-01-16 22:15:00 UTC
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apple-heartHere's something for teacher-bashers out there to put in their pipes and smoke - particularly the passage in bold:

Five years after Maryland increased spending by $2 billion to provide greater academic equity, students have made remarkable gains in reading and math, according to a report given to the Maryland General Assembly yesterday by an outside consultant.

For every additional $1,000 spent per student, there was a significant increase in pass rates in both subjects. The improvement was twice as great for middle school students as for those in elementary grades.

The report by MGT of America also confirms what most educators have intuitively believed for decades: Money invested in teachers appears to pay off. About 80 percent of additional local and state funding has been spent on the teaching staff - raising salaries, hiring more to reduce class sizes and requiring a highly qualified teacher in every classroom.

"I think it is a validation of a leap of faith that the legislature and the governor took to continue to fund it," said state Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick, referring to The Bridge to Excellence Act. Passed in 2002, that law put into effect the recommendations of a state education funding commission chaired by Alvin Thornton. (Emphasis added. Read the rest here, or download the full report.)

The Washington Post adds,

Annual state education spending is now $4.6 billion a year, up 80 percent from the 2002 level, according to the report. In addition, local governments have raised education spending 34 percent in that time.

Where did Maryland get the money for the increase? Mostly from increased cigarette taxes. (Who says smokers don't play a positive role in society?)

Seriously, let's recap this confirmation of what should be a Report from Captain Obvious but, due to the PR campaigns of edupreneurial "boutique" charter schools, Teach for America and its six-week wonders, and the Michelle Rhees of the world, isn't:

  • Higher teacher pay attracts - and retains - better teachers.

  • Smaller class sizes improve learning.

(h/t to Stephen Downes)

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Clay Burell
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