Education & Schools - baltimoresun.com

State approves last round of school construction projects

By Erica L. Green, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:18:31 GMT

School systems receive increased funding to tackle infrastructure, renovation needs

State officials approved more than $161 million in school construction funding Wednesday that will allow school systems in the Baltimore area to undertake renovation projects, tackling problems that include sweltering and overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings and amenities.

Towson will receive $2 million for STEM education

By Childs Walker , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:38:00 GMT

UTeach program will be modeled on successful effort at the University of Texas, Austin

Towson University will receive $2 million in state and private grant funds to start a new program designed to increase production of math and science teachers.

Maryvale makes alcohol awareness mandatory

By Mary Gail Hare , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:32:08 GMT

Parents and students are required to attend program

They have asked a date, found the perfect dress, matched the shoes and made the appointments for hair and nails. But the seniors and their parents at Maryvale Preparatory School must add one more thing to their to-do list before prom night Friday.

Emergency supply of epinephrine now required in all Maryland schools

Erica L. Green — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:45:00 GMT

Parents, health organizations hail new law as life-saving measure

In what parents and health organizations called a life-saving measure, Gov. Martin O' Malley signed into a law Tuesday a bill that will require all Maryland schools to maintain an emergency supply of epinephrine in order to respond to a growing trend of severe allergic reactions among school-aged children.

Suspension policy sparks Balto. Co. school board debate

By Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:57:00 GMT

Proposed changes would allow principals to use discretion when determining punishments

Proposed changes to the student behavior policy for Baltimore County schools sparked a lively debate among county Board of Education members at a work session Tuesday night — with some arguing for their immediate passage and others requesting more time to review them.

Use of 'prototype' design will put Mays Chapel school on fast track

By Jon Meoli, jmeoli@tribune.com — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:46:00 GMT

Board reviews site plan; schedule could see school built by May 2014

The Baltimore County Board of Education reviewed a preliminary site plan for the Mays Chapel Elementary School at its Tuesday meeting, and also plans to use a "prototype" school design to expedite the construction process.

City schools pass 2013 budget

By Erica L. Green, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:14:12 GMT

Charter schools note per-pupil funding decline

The Baltimore City school board voted Tuesday to pass the district's proposed $1.31 billion budget, which includes a decrease in the per-pupil funding for charter schools.

Dyer files suit against fellow board members, claiming open meetings violation

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:34:00 GMT

Complaint says interviews with superintendent candidates were violations

Howard County school board member Allen Dyer had four of his fellow board members served with a legal complaint moments before the panel recessed during Tuesday night's meeting.

Law puts social studies back in the limelight

By Michael Dresser , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:41:00 GMT

Bill requires social studies to be taught, tested in Maryland schools

Bill signed by governor requires that subject be taught and tested

Student discipline plans get mostly negative public comments

By Childs Walker , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

No timeline set for vote, but board stands by effort to reduce suspensions and expulsions for nonviolent offenses

Despite a barrage of public comments, many negative, Maryland State Board of Education members said Tuesday that they will push forward with plans to reduce the use of long-term suspensions and expulsions in student discipline.

Judge dismisses lawsuit against former Baltimore International president

By Childs Walker , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:05:00 GMT

Chylinski's suit against board of defunct culinary school still going forward

A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge has dismissed a $5 million lawsuit filed against the former president of Baltimore International College by the board of the defunct culinary school.

GreenMount problem-solving team to compete in Tennessee

By Colin Campbell, The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:09:00 GMT

'Soul Seven' have prepared mock movie trailer

Seven students from the private GreenMount School in Charles Village will travel Tuesday to Knoxville, Tenn., to compete in an international problem-solving competition.

Arundel parent who helped bridge cultures wins involvement award

By Liz Bowie , The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:03:25 GMT

She has helped parents from other countries communicate with teachers

An Anne Arundel County parent whose gentle spirit is said to have built bridges between cultures at her sons' elementary school was named the Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Award winner Friday night.

Radio host Ira Glass assures Goucher grads, 'It's normal to feel lost'

By Scott Dance, The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:01:00 GMT

Speaker's unusual connection to Towson campus draws laughter

The program at Goucher College's 121st commencement ceremony Friday listed speaker Ira Glass' main connection to the Towson college: His grandmother was a member of its Class of 1931. In the public radio host's remarks, he added that college President Sanford J. Ungar was his former colleague at NPR and had coaxed him into appearing.

Baltimore County cuts back on school leadership positions

By Liz Bowie , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:22:00 GMT

Some department chairs in middle, high schools will lose stipend and position next school year

Principals must limit the number of leadership positions next year to save $814,000, a move teachers say means schools have again been targeted for cuts.

South River student awarded $20,000 scholarship

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:42:00 GMT

She has persevered through family hardships

South River High School senior Caitlin Byrnes says her parents have been stressing the importance of college since she was young, and though she listened to the message, she didn't think it applied to her.

Howard school board set to vote again on adequate facilities measure

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:42:00 GMT

It determines if schools can accommodate new residential development

The Howard County school board is scheduled to reconsider Tuesday a measure that would determine which schools can accommodate new residential development.

City, school system partner to offer more summer options

Erica L. Green — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:57:00 GMT

City and school system partner to offer all-day programming

Baltimore city students will have a plethora of options for education and recreation this summer, under a new partnership between city agencies and school system that will expand the scope and length of programming for city youth.

Juilliard and Connections Academy partner for online learning

Gus G. Sentementes — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:57:00 GMT

Online education is a hot trend at the moment. But within that trend, there's an increasingly hotter sub-trend: online music education.

Howard County native wins 2012 Sophie Kerr Prize

By Colin Campbell and Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:12:00 GMT

Washington College's Manion 'at a loss for words' with literary win

Kathryn Manion was "at a loss for words" Tuesday night — shortly after being honored for her way with them.

UMBC employees out of jobs after state audit uncovers improper expenditures

By Childs Walker , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:03:15 GMT

Issue, including purchase of $4,400 in gift cards, referred to attorney general

Two University of Maryland, Baltimore County employees resigned or were fired after a state audit and an internal investigation uncovered about $9,000 in questionable expenditures on their corporate credit cards.

Judge in Dyer's hearing says board's charges against him are not clear

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:27:00 GMT

He will take up Dyer's motion to dismiss when hearing resumes

Howard County board member Allen Dyer's motion to dismiss case against him will be taken up in June, when hearing resumes.

Dyer hearings extended into June

By Sara Toth, stoth@patuxent.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:25:37 GMT

Administrative hearings on removing Allen Dyer from his seat on the Howard County Board of Education are now set to last to the end of June.

Legislators, parents to ask Dance to put more teachers in high schools

By Liz Bowie , The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:36:00 GMT

Class sizes have swelled after about 200 positions were cut

Baltimore County parents and legislators will ask incoming schools superintendent Dallas Dance to consider putting more teachers in high schools, where class sizes have swelled since positions were eliminated a year ago.

Back River gives up trash for art

By Mary Gail Hare , The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Students turn debris into artful work

A tot's discarded rocking horse has taken on an artful life and become a compelling symbol of a river befouled by debris.