A new bombshell reveals how a Maryland school district with the fourth-largest budget in the nation had more than 90 percent of its students fail in math proficiency despite an infusion of emergency COVID funding.
“Baltimore City Schools received 29 federal Covid grants totaling $799M to fight learning loss,” investigative journalist Chris Papst from Fox45 News’ Project Baltimore wrote.
“Yet, in 2023, just 9.1% of all 3rd-8th graders tested proficient in math. MEANING, taxpayers gave an additional $799M and 91% of Baltimore students are NOT math proficient,” he added on X, formerly Twitter on Tuesday.
So the question is, where did all of this money go considering these children can’t even do basic math?
NEWS: In Baltimore City, nearly 91% of 3-8 graders are NOT proficient in Math, which is the lowest in the state (24 school districts). That is better than last year when 93% were not proficient in math. Individual school data will be out next month. pic.twitter.com/CPNxKhwVOl
— Chris Papst (@chrispapst) August 22, 2023
The investigation into the crime-ridden metro area has been going on for the last seven years.
“Earlier this year, Papst’s team revealed that 23 schools in the crime-ridden metro area had zero students proficient in math,” the report noted. “Corruption might not stop at Baltimore but could extend to the leadership of the Maryland State Department of Education.”
Looks like Z-E-R-O ROI; 2019 data:https://t.co/6tIUiQNh9c pic.twitter.com/n1Ujxs6TMw
— orion (@orionsxspear) August 29, 2023
“Project Baltimore, earlier this year, reported on 23 schools in Baltimore City that, in 2022, had zero students, among those tested, score proficient in math. We won’t know if those schools saw improvements until the individual school data is released next month. But student performance is a major concern as State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury fights for his job,” Papst noted in an earlier piece.
Baltimore City Public Schools clapped back at Papst’s remarks as “not fully accurate.”
The attached snapshot currently appears on Baltimore City Schools’ website on the “Budget and Finance” page. This language is found in the district’s Adopted 2023/2024 budget. It says there are 29 ESSER grants totaling $799 million. pic.twitter.com/VrMfwkBsBg
— Chris Papst (@chrispapst) August 30, 2023
Lawmakers are reportedly even considering calling for a special hearing to find out how deep the corruption goes in the Maryland Department of Education.
Deleted text messages. Hidden email accounts. What is going on @MdPublicSchools ? How deep to the issues go? Some lawmakers are now calling for a special hearing in Annapolis to find out. All of this as the State Superintendent is fighting for his job. https://t.co/LmFJ0csOlR
— Chris Papst (@chrispapst) August 29, 2023
Naturally, questions arose on whether taxpayer dollars have been misappropriated by local and state officials, sparking plenty of comments on social media.
Maybe they were using LeBron James as a consultant.
— Horse Sense (@the_capper_) August 29, 2023
Having lived in Baltimore City for a decade [and loving it], this is just the tip of the iceberg. The way those schools have failed the city’s children is criminal. They deserve better than this.
— MoG1717 (@mog1717) August 29, 2023
That doesn’t matter at all. What matters is that the local teachers unions have filled the campaign war chests of democrat politicians.
— Sprocket the Cat (@NicholasZeger) August 29, 2023
Gravytrain laundromat.
— Debbie Doverspike (@DLD4USA) August 29, 2023
Parents of these students should be outraged. They’re the only ones who can change it.
— GeorgieGirl44 (@georgie_girl44) August 29, 2023
Well, If they actually improved the schools and the city they wouldn’t get the grants. It’s a revolving door laundering money into the same peoples pockets that caused this mess. Half the money goes to their fraud campaigns to get re-elected and the other half is in their pocket.
— Trixie (@TrixieSamm) August 30, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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