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Maryland's Bridge to Excellence Act of 2002, known as the Thornton law, revised the state's formula for funding school districts to direct more money to the state's poorest jurisdictions, where the need was greatest. Within a few years, the results were evident: In Baltimore City, test scores have been rising every year since the law was enacted, as have enrollment and graduation rates. At the same time, the city's dropout and absentee rates have fallen. The Thornton formula was devised to eliminate the disparities in instructional funding among the state's richest and poorest school districts, which in some cases amounted to thousands of dollars per pupil.

Something happened in Maryland on the way to the not-so-Great Recession: We recognized that, for today's college students, it's not where you start, it's that you finish. On May 13, the state's political and education leaders gathered to honor University System of Maryland Chancellor Brit Kirwan and to announce the establishment of "A Matter of Degrees: USM Leading the Way in College Completion," a $2.5 million fund to support degree completion for USM students. The fund was launched by a $500,000 Carnegie Corporation Academic Leadership Award Mr. Kirwan received in recognition of his commitment to excellence in higher education.

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents approved Friday a 3 percent tuition increase for in-state, full-time undergraduate students, ending a four-year freeze. The increase, which takes effect in the fall, is expected to raise revenue by $39.1 million, or 3.3 percent, over fiscal year 2010. "There was a very healthy discussion, but the board was satisfied and voted in support," said Chancellor William E. Kirwan, adding that the board agreed that given the recession, "ending the freeze was reasonable."

W atching many of the children of his inner-city classmates follow in their parents' dead-end footsteps by dealing drugs on the same neighborhood streets only served to further Peter Modlin's resolve. The 48-year-old Laurel resident began making plans to return to Baltimore to teach in the public school system that once failed him, to help stop what he calls the "circle of hopelessness." "Those kids need to see there's a way out," said the ex-postal worker who is completing his last months at Howard Community College before earning an associate of arts degree in education.

Officials of the Cardinal Gibbons School said Friday they were stunned to learn this week that their school was on the list of 13 to be closed at the end of the academic year, given that they had been working to meet goals set by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and had not been told of serious problems. "I just didn't see it coming," Gibbons Principal David Brown said Friday after a meeting with archdiocese officials and board of trustee members. "We have done everything they have asked of us, and we continue to turn out successful young men."

By the start of classes in August 2011, white students in Howard County are expected to be a minority, joining those in Baltimore County. The two school systems are riding a demographic wave that carries broad implications for how students are taught. Baltimore County two years ago joined Baltimore City and Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles and Somerset counties as Maryland jurisdictions where minorities outnumber white students in public schools, although the development was little noticed at the time.

Howard Community College officials are proposing a $2-per-credit tuition increase for next year, though that could change depending on possible state and county budget cuts. With new funds in short supply despite continually growing enrollment, the college is facing a squeeze in which full-time faculty is shrinking compared with part-time, or adjunct, professors, and college leaders are looking for a way to make what board Chairman T. James Truby called "a gesture" toward the faculty and high-quality instruction.

It began as a "cool idea" three years ago in the backyard of a friend's house in tiny Shelby, Ohio, after Devin Barclay found in a closet an old football that needed to be pumped up. The Annapolis native, now 26, who played soccer at McDonogh before moving on to Major League Soccer in 2001, had never kicked a football before that night. On New Year's Day, he will be kicking for Ohio State before 90,000-plus fans in Pasadena, Calif., and millions watching on television, as the Buckeyes take on Oregon in the 96th Rose Bowl.

When it comes to helping people weather the effects of a recession, few things are as effective as food stamps. The benefits go to those most desperately in need, and because they must be spent on essential goods, they serve as an immediate boost to the local economy. But it only works if the benefits get in the hands of the right people. That's why it's troubling to see Maryland lagging behind other states when it comes to enrolling eligible families for the benefits and processing the applications of those who seek food stamps.