Baltimore City Schools Responds to Criticism Over Academic Performance Data

Baltimore City Public Schools has issued a response following a critical report by Project Baltimore that examined student academic performance under the leadership of CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises.

The report, released on Monday, assessed the progress of students since Dr. Santelises took charge nine years ago. It revealed declines in several key performance metrics, including attendance rates, SAT scores, dropout rates, chronic absenteeism, and federal test scores, compared to the data from 2017, the year she assumed her role.

In light of the investigation, the school district initially refrained from detailing any accomplishments of Dr. Santelises. However, shortly after the report's publication, City Schools released a statement on its website listing several achievements, including a 5 percentage point increase in English Language Arts proficiency since 2022 and a 1.4 percentage point rise in math proficiency from 2023. The district also noted a 5.4 percentage point decrease in chronic absenteeism from the previous school year.

Blanca Tapahuasco, a parent and former school district employee, expressed frustration with the district's response, stating that families are no longer convinced by what she describes as a “song and dance” regarding improvements in the school system. She emphasized that many students are not receiving the quality education they deserve.

City Schools' recent post aimed to counter the findings of Project Baltimore by focusing on more recent data rather than the full scope of Dr. Santelises' tenure. This selective presentation of information has raised concerns among parents and community members about the transparency of the district's communication.

In an effort to promote its message, City Schools also utilized paid social media advertisements to highlight these achievements, spending a reported $100 on the campaign. This has sparked further debate about the allocation of taxpayer funds, especially in light of the district's claims of insufficient financial resources.

As the community grapples with these issues, parents and educators continue to call for accountability and a clearer understanding of the realities facing Baltimore City Schools.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).