There’s a hole in my syllabus.

           I have co-taught the Legislation class at the University of Maryland Law School since 1995. Each of those 16 years, one of our guest lecturers has been Dr. Nancy Grasmick, the State Superintendent of Schools.

          Dr. Grasmick announced her retirement this afternoon.

          Every class, Nancy would gently urge me to rethink my position on public education – to be more willing to challenge the status quo on educational policy.

          Her prodding was one of the reasons I joined with Senator Bill Ferguson, who had taken the class, to form a coalition of education reform advocates this past fall.

          As an elected official, I can offer no higher praise of someone than to say that she influenced my position on public policy.

          I hope Nancy will come out of retirement for one hour and fifty minutes this fall semester to dialogue with me and my class one more time.

         Another dose of gentle prodding can’t hurt.

March 30