The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Education of Workers’ Children Not a Priority

Nov 21, 2005

The level of scientific understanding in the country is not the only area to show the failure of the education system. Standardized tests in English and math show equally dismal results.

In two of the highest income counties in Maryland–Howard and Montgomery–more than four of every five students passed. In Baltimore City and other poor districts, only one in three passed.

This enormous gap comes as no surprise. Like children in big cities everywhere, Baltimore students face less funding per child; less experienced teachers; larger class sizes; not enough books, computers or other materials; more children needing special education; and older buildings in worse shape.

The Republican governor claimed the state could not afford a court-ordered initiative to improve special education throughout Maryland. Such funding is most needed in Baltimore, with one in five students needing “special” education.

What did the Democratic mayor do to help with the problem? He and the city council just passed a three hundred million-dollar plan to pay for a new hotel downtown.

Parents won’t get better education for their children unless they force the politicians of both parties to answer their demands instead of handing out money like candy to big business.