This week I joined CEO Dr. Andres Alonso, US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Governor Martin O'Malley, State Secretary of Education Nancy Grasmick, Councilman William H. Cole, and Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke to celebrate huge strides in our children's Maryland State Assessment Scores (MSAs).  Under the leadership of Dr. Alonso, Baltimore City has experienced a two-year growth of nearly 16 percentage points in the MSAs-unprecedented in most school districts.
 
Last week as President Obama spoke to members of the NAACP, he commented, "There's a reason the story of the civil rights movement was written in our schools.  There's a reason Thurgood Marshall took up the cause of Linda Brown.  There's a reason the Little Rock Nine defied a governor and a mob...It's because there is no stronger weapon against inequality and no better path to opportunity than an education that can unlock a child's God-given potential."
 
This year 72.4% of our third through eighth graders scored proficient or advanced in the reading section of the MSA compared to 67% last year and 64% scored proficient or advanced in the math section compared to just 55% last year.  Gilmor Elementary School posted the single largest gain.  Gilmor went from 33.6% proficient or advanced in the math section last year to 68.9% this year-a gain of 35.3 percentage points.  I commend Dr. Alonso, parents, mentors, and teachers of our children for your refusal to negotiate our children's future. The progress in our children's test scores are evidence of your relentless pursuit to ensure all children in Baltimore City have the tools they need to unlock their God-given potential.  
 
Most importantly, I want to congratulate our children.  To achieve this progress, they must have the courage to meet the challenge head on.  Despite obstacles our children face daily and the negative images that are often portrayed in the media, they are talented and motivated.  Given the resources and encouragement to succeed, they have demonstrated time and time again that they are willing to rise to the occasion. 
 
Our progress cannot stop here.  The successes of the past two years are significant, but we must continue to build upon those accomplishments.  Our children and their God-given potential are non-negotiable. 
 
As we anticipate the beginning of another school year, I look forward to our continued focus on education.  We will continue to invest not only in our school system but programs that foster the learning process in general-programs such as community schools, after-school programs, and youth employment through Youth-Works and After-School Matters II.
 

Sincerely,

Sheila Dixon
Mayor, Baltimore