Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Maryland Schools Testing Data: Transparency vs. Privacy
Posted April 28, 2023
This week at a Maryland Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury was questioned about why the state’s website had recently removed, redacted, and reposted school test results. The central concern being that data from only the lowest-performing schools in the state was redacted, seemingly to mask the failures within those county/city school systems. The data that was originally posted online in January and then redacted included 23 Baltimore City Schools with zero students who tested proficient in math. Yes, you read that correctly.
FOX45’s Chris Papst, who has done admirable and fair reporting on the challenges facing school systems in the greater Baltimore region for the past several years, approached Choudhury and when questioned, Choudhury retreated into another room, closed the door, and locked it behind him. When Papst turned to Board President Clarence Crawford for answers, he seemed unaware of entire scenario and deferred responsibility to Superintendent Choudhury.
When the Maryland State Department of Education was officially questioned about why this year’s data release suddenly changed from the past 13 years, the term “student deidentification” was given—an act to comply with national privacy protection standards for student data.
But now that this situation is becoming increasingly public, many concerned citizens, public policy institutes, and state legislators are beginning to question the integrity of the state department, board, and Choudhury himself.
You can read and watch Chris Papst’s full story by clicking here.
Do you believe the redaction of student test scores is a cover-up of systemic failures or a privacy issue?
Here’s what you said:
It is unfortunate that the MSDE Superintendent seems to have "retreated" into his "safe space" when asked specific questions regarding Baltimore City Schools and their redacted data. How is the redaction infringing upon anyone? There are no names, no personal IDs, etc. Those of us who have dealt (in any form) with BCPS have long felt that MSDE was not holding them to the same standards and requirements of other school districts. My question would be...WHY NOT?
Pat Gronkiewicz, Millersville
These deficiencies can't improve if they are covered up! Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury is only covering his bad policies & procedures find a qualified person to start at controlling these deficiencies...
Jj Zj, Crownsville
With only the briefest of info it looks like a coverup unless names of students or some other identifying info was there for all to see.
Karen Smith , Chestertown
After reading that the fomenter was with Fox45, or Fox Entertainment, I stopped reading and started doing some independent searching. The Baltimore Banner had a much more useful article on the subject and took the responsible step of getting input from experts in education (https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/is-maryland-hiding-test-scores-from-failing-schools-O4XAC6REWFCQFF2WK4JF7TRDOE/).
Sounds to me like this forum and Chris Papst promote right-wing thinking and would love to take funds away from public education and put those monies into private or religious school vouchers. Not the first time I've read your surveys that definitely have an extreme right-wing agenda.
Cindy Davis, Annapolis
I am so disappointed about schools that don't teach their students that I hardly know where to begin.The fact that 23 schools in one city (Baltimore) have absolutely not one student having been taught enough math to pass the state math proficiency test is beyond acceptance. Notice that I say these students haven't been taught instead of saying that the students aren't learning. This is because there may be some students who don't care about learning but it is not the case that ALL students are incapable of learning or don't care. Obviously there are a great number of schools in the MD system that need a top to bottom overhaul!This affects more than just those students who haven't been taught. This affects us all. How can we ever end poverty if we don't teach our students to add and subtract? How can we have educated voters to tackle the complicated issues of democracy facing us today if we don't teach our students?
Thank you for writing about this. Issues like this are important and don't get reported frequently enough.
Sharmon Priaulx, Edgewater
I think it is a 100% cover-up of systemic failures. For years my husband and I listen to the news talking about the failures in Baltimore schools... with a tone like they're breaking a new story. If those in power in Baltimore wanted to make improvements to the schools/system... SOMETHING would be done, no matter how small. They get the funding... which seems to be lining pockets instead of helping those who matter most - the children.
Kathryn B, Severna Park
It seems as if the authorities have not been transparent about the state of the educational system in the state of Maryland. Censorship of the truth and hiding what is really happening seems to be protecting people who are not acting in the best interest of the students and the taxpayers.
Jamie Woods, Edgewater
If the test scores only show numbers and which schools 23 failed profiency of math and English then how does. Deidentification even a thing there's no names except the schools names ....If We pay taxes then we have the right to know which schools are taking money but not producing results....math and English are subjects not identification of the students themselves ....just another state hocus pocus to not be held accountable for they Suck but we are still expected to pay...Why? ...IF I say as a business xyz and don't produce as contract states then I'm removed or fired and don't get paid....oh to continue not doing my job. The MD schools are to educate the children of MD so do it or don't expect to keep getting paid when your not producing mandated results of profiency.
Christine Gromley, Centreville
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