education reform – Sandy Rosenberg

A letter and a list

March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 | by delsandy | Uncategorized | No Comments

Sometimes a letter will do.

If a committee is not ready to pass my legislation, I can ask the chair to send a letter to the affected state agency to review the issue raised by my bill and report back to the committee before next year’s session.

That reply can help build the case for next year’s bill.

For example, House Bill 1164 would create the crime of domestic terrorism It would also require the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security to report to the General Assembly on the state’s efforts to plan, prevent, detect, and address domestic terrorism.

A letter could get the report done.

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I’m already listing my tasks for after the session ends.

At a discussion this morning of the Kirwan education reform bill, I made notes to:

Review the effect of Kirwan’s salary increases for teachers on programs I’ve sponsored that help teachers repay their academic debt; and
Discuss with education experts next steps I should take to help implement what we are about to enact in the schools in my district.

Scrolling down, I stand corrected

March 9, 2012 | by delsandy | Sandy's 2012 Legislative Diary | No Comments

Your testimony is terrific. Don’t read it. You will be far more effective if you tell your story to the committee as you would instruct your students.

That’s the advice I gave to a teacher this morning after reading his testimony online.

Andrew Coy came to Annapolis to testify on my bill that would provide educational loan forgiveness for highly effective teachers in high-need schools and subject areas.

He almost didn’t testify.

The reason why: Nobody gave similar advice to any of the people who testified on the other bills heard by my committee.

Witness after witness read their testimony.

My bill was heard just before Andrew had to return to Baltimore.

He didn’t read his testimony, but he did scroll down on his IPad a few times.

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My second education reform bill would streamline the dismissal procedure without shortchanging the rights of the teacher. Only one fact-finding hearing would be required, instead of two. During this elongated process, I testified, the teacher is still paid.

Speaking in opposition, a teachers union representative said that teachers up for dismissal are not compensated, contrary to what I said. In addition, she said, the bill takes away the right of appeal.

When I questioned her, she acknowledged that my legislation did not deny a teacher’s right of appeal.

“I stand corrected as well,” I said. After the local board makes a decision to terminate, I learned, it stops paying.

January 9 – At home

January 9, 2012January 10, 2012 | by delsandy | Uncategorized | No Comments

My workday began and ended in Baltimore.

That won’t happen again until April because the legislative session starts in two days.

Education reform was the topic of my meeting at the Canton Starbucks. Senator Bill Ferguson and I discussed with a reporter our bills to repay the college and graduate school debt of our most highly rated teachers if they agree to remain in the classroom and to fund pre-kindergarten classes for four-year olds so that they can enter school ready to learn.

My after-dinner meeting at the CHAI offices dealt with the use of slots revenues in the neighborhoods above Northern Parkway. A weak economy and the decision not to open a temporary facility in Anne Arundel County will significantly decrease the money allocated to these communities this fiscal year.

Tomorrow begins with a 9 a.m. press conference on repeal of the death penalty – in Annapolis.

November 2 – Earning a grade

November 2, 2011 | by delsandy | Sandy's 2011 Legislative Diary, Sandy's Legislative Diary | No Comments

I try to practice what I preach.

“When you testify in Annapolis, don’t read your written remarks. Know your subject well enough that you don’t use that piece of paper as a crutch. You’re better off stumbling a bit but always keeping eye contact.”

That’s my mantra for advocates during the 90-day session and for my law school students during the fall semester.

Today, I was put to the test.

Senator Bill Ferguson and I will be introducing a series of education reform bills next January. We’ve begun meeting with interested groups and individuals to get their input.

Bill is a Teach For America alumnus. He knows the subject matter.

I’m there for strategic advice or as “the muscle,” as one of my friends describes it.

Bill could not attend today’s meeting. So I had to describe the four bills, with John Stierhoff, our lobbyist, there to fill in the blanks or correct any major errors.

I’ve heard Bill describe what we’re trying to do with mandatory pre-kindegarten, a scholarship for people who commit to four years in the classroom, and time off from work for parents to meet with their kids’ teachers.

I looked at our summary sheet a few times but provided a decent outline of what the bills would do.

I’d give myself a B+.

The Egypt Moment

February 13, 2011 | by delsandy | Sandy's 2011 Legislative Diary | 1 Comment

As I joined the hundreds of young adults streaming into the Teach For America 20th Anniversary Summit at the DC Convention Center, I said to myself, “Tahrir Square has come from Cairo to Washington.”

Inside, several speakers referred to the “Egypt moment” for education reform.

The potential exists for significant reform in the wake of Race to the Top, President Obama’s education initiative, and the collective efforts of TFA and many other local and national groups.

I had a similar feeling last fall, when I saw “Waiting for Superman,” the documentary film about children – and their families, hoping that they could win a lottery to get themselves into a better school.

That was the night that I spoke to Bill Ferguson, newly elected to the State Senator and a TFA alumnus, about forming a coalition for education reform in Maryland.

We have introduced three bills. The most controversial one deals with dismissal of ineffective teachers, as measured by standards being devised in response to the Race to the Top law the legislature passed last year.

My take away from this extraordinary gathering in DC: Aim higher. Don’t settle for incremental change. Our kids can’t afford it.

February 12