Education report calls for more psychological services for at-risk students
A newly released state education report calls for more psychological services for Maryland's at-risk students. It was released just days before the school shooting in south Florida.
The focus of the state report is on pre-K-12 public education. It recommends a number of policy changes, including more support for at-risk students.
The report from the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education outlines what some are calling a bold vision for Maryland students. On the issue of at-risk students, it reads, "The state must ensure that students have access to other professionals in school that provide assistance with a students' social and emotional well-being."
"It's just tragic, the lives that some of these kids are living, and they need help in the school. It's not just about academics, it's about providing the emotional and psychological support that will enable them to be successful," said Dr. William Kirwan, chairman of the commission.
Kirwan said it's a statewide issue, and one that must be addressed one school and one student at a time.
"We absolutely need more social workers, more counselors, more behavior interventionist people that will be able to deal with those that might need a smaller setting," said Abby Beytin, president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County.
In putting together its report, the commission heard from consultants, lawmakers and classroom teachers on how to support at-risk students.
"It's a challenge, sometimes, for our parents and for our students to get those services. So, it make sense to have them available in the school, to build community schools," said Morgan Showalter, a teacher and commission member.
Even though the state panel has put its recommendations in writing, it must now decide how much it believes it will take to pay for programs. The commission, which includes state lawmakers, members of the governor's cabinet and a school teacher, said it will take more time before it issues a final report.
Commission Chairman William E. Kirwan released a statement Friday, saying:
"The commission is engaged in the serious business of building a statewide pre-K-12 education system that will ensure all Maryland students have the opportunities that they deserve, that the state’s economic future is secured and that more of our citizens share in the prosperity of that stronger economy.
"The commission, which includes legislators, two members of the governor’s cabinet, and stakeholders from across our education system and business communities, believes that in doing this serious and thoughtful work, we must get it right -- and we must take the time to ensure that we get it right. That is why the commission unanimously agreed to extend its deadline into 2018.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the commission’s deadline to submit a final report is being extended by a year to December 2018. Some have misinterpreted this to mean that the commission will not issue its final report until after the election. However, as chair of the commission, I can tell you that we have no intention of taking the rest of the calendar year to complete our work. In particular, I have never said the final report would be delayed until after the election and I am confident it will not be. We will aim to complete our work as expeditiously as possible while remaining true to the need to get it right.
"Efforts of this magnitude will inevitably come with criticism. But what is at stake for the children and future generations of the State is too important and the need for leadership and cooperation from top to bottom in our State is too vital to be distracted by it.
"The commission looks forward to the continued commitment to productive collaboration with all of our stakeholders and leaders as we work toward implementing this shared vision."