The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released its 2023–2024 school star ratings, revealing that while many schools in the state are improving, significant disparities remain, particularly in the Baltimore region. The 2023 report indicates that 41 schools statewide received 4 or 5-star ratings, with the Baltimore area reflecting a mixed bag in performance. According to State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mohammed Choudhury, ‘We celebrate that more schools are moving towards high-star ratings, but we must address the inequalities that still exist.’ In Baltimore City, the performance was notably lower, with only 2.9% of schools achieving the highest rating. Carey Wright, former chief academic officer of Baltimore City Schools, stated, ‘While progress is being made, there’s a lot of work left to do to ensure equitable education for all our students.’ In contrast, Baltimore County showcased better results, with most schools receiving 3-star ratings or higher. The report indicates ongoing efforts by local education authorities to raise academic standards and close achievement gaps in low-performing schools.
