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SUPERINTENDENT GRASMICK FORMS PANEL TO STUDY ADULT EDUCATION IN MARYLAND
Funding and program effectiveness top issues to be covered
BALTIMORE (January 27, 2005) - State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick has announced the formation of a 10-member panel to study adult education in Maryland.
"Our ultimate goal is to provide increased opportunities for higher levels of academic and life success for Marylanders who need and use our adult education system," said Dr. Grasmick. "In order to meet that goal, our Panel of business, community, and education leaders will look at the critical issues of resources and program effectiveness. We are fortunate to have the broad spectrum of expertise represented by the individuals on this Panel."
Edwin F. Hale, Sr., Chairman and CEO of 1st Mariner Bancorp, will chair the Superintendent's Panel on Excellence in Adult Education. In addition to Mr. Hale, the members of the Panel include:
- Linda Burgee, Interim Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools;
- JoAnn Crandall, Professor of Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County;
- Christopher Eddings, Publisher, The Daily
Record;
- Maggi Gaines, Executive Director, Spark: Partnership for Service;
- Gerald Heeger, President, University of Maryland University College;
- Fred Mason, President, Maryland and DC AFL-CIO;
- Frances Miller, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, Kent County Public Schools;
- Tom Perez, Councilmember, Montgomery County Council; and
- Ronald Pugsley, Education Consultant and former national Director of Adult Education and Literacy Services for the United States Department of Education.
The Panel, which held its first meeting today, will work under a tight deadline, presenting its findings to the Maryland State Board of Education in April 2005 and preparing a subsequent report for the Maryland General Assembly.
Members are charged with:
- reviewing research on elements of quality in adult education;
- examining the adequacy of resources devoted to adult education in Maryland;
- examining the relationship between the need for adult education and the resources;
- analyzing the unique adult education cost pressures associated with students with special characteristics, and with the diverse service delivery systems;
- developing a base per student cost; and
- providing the State Superintendent with guidance and recommendations for adequate adult education funding and a funding appropriation formula.
The Panel will use a standards-based finance approach to education, consistent with federal legislation such as
No Child Left Behind, to establish the cost of delivering services that result in improved student achievement.
A prototype work team comprised of highly recognized Maryland adult educators will assist the Panel. That team will be chaired by Elizabeth Young, Coordinator of Alternative Education, Baltimore County Public Schools; and includes: Ruth Burgos-Sasscer, Chancellor Emerita, Houston Community College System; Becky Lessey, Director of Basic Skills and Foreign-Born Programs, Howard Community College; Marlene McLaurin, Executive Director, Baltimore Reads; Jean Mitchell, Program Director, Friends of the Family; and Richard Ramsburg, Principal, Frederick County Public Schools.
John Comings, Director of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) at Harvard University, a nationally recognized researcher in adult education and literacy, will consult with the Panel and Roberta Pawloski, education consultant and former State Director of Adult Education and Vocational Education for Connecticut, will act as Facilitator. |
