Press Release: Maryland Schools Rewarded For Strengthening Achievement

Honor System Is Part of ESEA Flexibility

For Immediate Release                                                      Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486


Baltimore, MD (January 31, 2014)

Eighteen Maryland Title I public schools today are being honored for their efforts to improve student achievement.

The schools, known as “Reward Schools,” have made strides in overall student work, as well as in reducing gaps in achievement.  The schools are spread across eight Maryland systems.

Maryland’s Reward Schools program was developed as part of MSDE’s plan for flexibility from parts of the federal government’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Maryland’s plan, approved in May 2012, refocuses the State’s ongoing accountability efforts by eliminating the continuum of sanctions known as the School Improvement process. 

Title I schools cited are either high performing—having met objectives for all subgroups over the past two consecutive years ending with the 2012-2013 school year; or high progress—having significantly cut gaps in achievement between racial or special services subgroups. 

Schools in Allegany, Baltimore, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Prince George’s, and Worcester Counties, as well as Baltimore City, have been named Reward Schools for the 2013-14 school year.  Two of the schools – New Song Academy in Baltimore City and Robert G. Gray Elementary in Prince George’s County – were named National Title I Distinguished Schools earlier this month.

The other reward schools are as follows: Cash Valley Elementary in Allegany County; Wolfe Street Academy, John Eager Howard Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou, and Govans Elementary in Baltimore City; Chadwick Elementary, Lansdowne Elementary, Chase Elementary, Sandalwood Elementary, and Milbrook Elementary in Baltimore County; Hurlock Elementary in Dorchester County; Crellin Elementary in Garrett County; Millington Elementary in Kent County; and Pocomoke Elementary and Snow Hill Elementary in Worcester County.

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