Issue Position: Prince George's County School System 2nd from the Bottom?

Issue Position

Let's clear up this fallacy once and for all. This has been the standard "tag line" for all politicians for a long time now and someone needs to speak the truth.

TRUTH: Over the years 2000-2012 the following occurred in Prince George's County:

White population has decreased 33.8%
Black population has increased 10.6%
Hispanic population has increased 142.7%
This change in demographics continues to impact the "At-Risk" population of our school district. Currently, PGCPS has the largest percentage of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students, 3rd larger population of students on "Free and Reduced-price Meals", and the 6th largest population of Special Education Students.

All tolled, Prince George's has the 3rd largest population of "At-Risk" students. That being said, NOW lets see why we are "at the bottom"……..

Howard County (Ranked #2 in the state) has the 2nd lowest number of At-Risk students but receives the 5th largest amount of per-pupil funding
Montgomery County (Ranked #10 in the state) is ranked 12th in the number of At-Risk students, but receives the 4th largest amount of per-pupil funding, and
Prince George's County (Ranked #23 in the state) is ranked 3rd in the number of At-Risk students, but receives the 7th largest amount of per pupil funding
SUMMARY: To really close the achievement gap, we must not only get what is "equitable" from the state, but we out also work diligently to increase our "business tax base" to add the supplemental funding that is needed for our students, while minimizing the burden we face as individual tax payers.

SOURCE: Overview of Local Maryland Governments 2014
http://dls.state.md.us

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