Charter schools have been a subject of active political discussion in Maryland for the last eight years, but today account for barely 1 percent of Maryland's public school enrollment. According to the Maryland State Department of Education web site, today there are 44 charter schools, all but 12 of them in Baltimore City, with a total enrollment of 12,322 of Maryland's more than one million students. Outside of Baltimore City, where more than 85 percent of the state's population resides, there are barely 2,000 students in charter schools.1

The reasons for this are not obscure. Maryland's charter school law has long been recognized as one of the weakest in the country. The Center for Education Reform gives it a D rating, ranking Maryland 32nd of 40 states with charter school laws.2

To read or download the full article or PDF, please login or become a subscriber.