NEWS
March 1, 1993
Contrasting reports in The Evening Sun recently from Baltimore County on the state of public education proved to be both uplifting and deflating.One report detailed the immense enthusiasm of teachers, administrators and students for a magnet program in math and science being crafted for Woodlawn High School. It is one of seven intensified programs of study being developed in the county, at the behest of first-year Superintendent Stuart D. Berger. The strategy isn't unique. It has been successful elsewhere, including Baltimore City.
NEWS
By Mary Maushard and Mary Maushard,Sun Staff Writer | March 8, 1995
Baltimore County's magnet schools may be losing some of their attraction.For a short time last week, the school board entertained a budget amendment that would have halted five new magnet programs, even as letters of acceptance were on their way to prospective students.When that was defeated 5-4, board members moved to put a moratorium on future magnet programs. Tabled for now, the motion is due to come up again next week.Appearing out of nowhere, the amendment introduced by board member Dunbar Brooks took other board members, magnet school principals and Superintendent Stuart Berger, a strong proponent of magnet programs, by surprise and left them groping to understand the intentions of a board that has nurtured its magnets.
NEWS
By Mary Maushard and Mary Maushard,Sun Staff Writer | March 20, 1994
Even before they open, two of Baltimore County's new magnet schools are drawing fire from families whose children were denied admission because of their race, their sex or the neighborhoods where they live.County school officials concede that race and sex played a part in their decisions.They say white students were denied admission to the programs to maintain the racial balance in their predominantly black neighborhood schools.But they say those choices were required by regulations governing a $2.26 million federal desegregation grant they are -- using to help staff and equip the magnet programs.
NEWS
By Mary Maushard and Mary Maushard,Sun Staff Writer | September 18, 1994
When Superintendent Stuart Berger helped open Sudbrook Magnet Middle School this month, he told the students that "what Sudbrook is, is different. It is not that it is better."With four specialized curricula, a longer school day, student uniforms and voice mail for teachers, Sudbrook is definitely different from most schools in Baltimore County.But all of the county's 15 magnet programs are different. They teach high finance in Lansdowne, Japanese in Pikesville, dance in Towson, advanced math in Parkville and the science of fitness in Essex.
NEWS
By Howard Libit and Howard Libit,SUN STAFF | March 24, 1999
Seeking to remove the differences in how pupils are selected for magnet schools, Baltimore County educators last night proposed one policy for the entire system.The proposal calls for the 27 county schools with magnet programs to choose pupils primarily through a centralized random lottery, replacing a variety of methods."We haven't had any countywide policy before this," said Phyllis Bailey, associate superintendent for educational support services. "This will carry out consistency in all schools."
NEWS
By Mary Maushard and Mary Maushard,Sun Staff Writer | November 6, 1994
The Baltimore County schools have outgrown their magnet fair.With 25 programs to show off this year, the school system will have two fairs, instead of one, this week -- Monday at Parkville High School for those interested in eastside schools and Thursday at Woodlawn High School for westside programs. Both will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Some programs will be represented at both fairs because they are open to students countywide or because they draw from areas that overlap the two sides of the county.