Any charter school showing these kinds of results would be shut down immediately. But traditional public schools can churn out generations of illiterate and innumerate graduates and nothing happens.
The Maryland State Department of Education recently released the 2022 state test results known as MCAP, Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program. Baltimore City’s math scores were the lowest in the state. Just 7 percent of third through eighth graders tested proficient in math, which means 93 percent could not do math at grade level. But that’s not all; Project Baltimore combed through the scores at all 150 City Schools where the state math test was given. Project Baltimore found, in 23 Baltimore City schools, there were zero students who tested proficient in math. Not a single student. “It just sounds like these schools, now, have turned into essentially babysitters with no accountability,” said Patterson. “This is the future of our city. We’ve got to change this.” Among the list of 23 schools, there are 10 high schools, eight elementary schools, three Middle/High schools and two Elementary/Middle schools. Exactly 2,000 students, in total, took the state math test at these schools. Not one could do math at grade level. “These kids can't do math. You're not preparing them to buy groceries. You're not preparing them to do accounting, to count their own money. You're not preparing them to read contracts and negotiate salaries,” said Patterson.
