Share your story with us: For six years, Project Baltimore has been committed to telling your stories and holding leaders in Maryland schools accountable.

🚨“I’m very, very concerned.” Longtime Maryland Sen. Joanne Benson, who spent decades in education before becoming a politician, is warning her fellow lawmakers that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is not working as intended. Benson points to two key concerns: teacher training and parental involvement. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

“You can’t keep giving money to programs that don’t work.” Sen. Joanne Benson is sounding the alarm after Maryland students missed state academic goals despite a $1.5 billion increase in annual school funding. 💸🏫 @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

A longtime Maryland State Senator is issuing a warning to her follow lawmakers ahead of the upcoming legislative session in Annapolis. Senator Joanne Benson tells Project Baltimore the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is not delivering on its promises, and changes need to be made. Full story linked here: bit.ly/4y8mOBz @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Maryland State Senator Joanne Benson — the fourth highest-ranking Democrat in the state senate — once supported the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 📚 Now, she says it may be time to take another look. “The kind of money that we’re throwing at this program is not serving the purpose” she believed it was meant to serve. 💰 @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Maryland’s massive investment in public education is facing new concerns. One high ranking Democrat State Senator, who supported the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future when it first passed, now says the law is not living up to the expectations. Full story linked here: bit.ly/4iHJpjv @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

“We just want to continue and make him proud.” || Thomas Garner refused to let poverty define what students could achieve. Months after his death, his school’s fifth graders outperformed the Maryland average in both math and English. 📈 Now, in honor of the man they loved dearly, the school holds a new name: Thomas J. Garner Elementary. Full story at the link in our bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

The AG’s answer was clear: "No." ⚖️ A sitting board member could not be a candidate for elected office at the same time. But months after the $2.5 billion BCPS budget took effect, Maryland law may protect the vote anyway. Watch the full story at the link in our bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Students helped lead the push to honor the principal who shaped their school.❤️🏫 In just nine months, the Washington County Board of Education approved renaming Salem Avenue Elementary in honor of Thomas J. Garner. Link in bio for more. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

“It was crystal clear.” Maryland State Senator J.B. Jennings reacts after the AG found a sitting Baltimore County school board member cannot also be a candidate for state office. The finding raises new questions about the vote that approved BCPS’s $2.5 billion budget. Full story at the link in our bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

A beloved Maryland elementary school principal who helped students defy the odds is still making an impact nearly a year after his death. “We had kids to take care of.” Through tears, a Salem Avenue Elementary educator explains how the school community carried on after the death of Principal Thomas Garner. Full story at the link in bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

A new finding from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office is raising questions about a controversial vote to approve Baltimore County’s $2.5 billion school budget. In February, former board member Robin Harvey remained on the school board after declaring her candidacy for state office. A move the AG’s office says is not allowed under state law. Full story linked here: bit.ly/4yHL5ym @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

A beloved Maryland elementary school principal who helped students defy the odds, is still making an impact nearly a year after his death. The school community is carrying on his work, and making sure the extraordinary legacy of Principal Thomas Garner continues. Full story linked here: bit.ly/4xtobd4 @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

📚In 2024, Maryland set academic goals for students to reach by 2026 — by 2025 the goals had been lowered. Even with the revised benchmarks, students fell short in both English and math. 📉Now, some lawmakers say more accountability is needed as the state puts billions more into education funding.

📚 Five Baltimore-area school systems told Fox45 News they require employees to report arrests. Baltimore County Schools does not. ⚠️ Raising the question of safety gaps in Maryland schools? Watch the full story at the link in our bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

🔎 Fox45 News investigated after a BCPS employee was arrested in Delaware, and found employees are not required to self-report arrests to the district. Watch the full story at the link in our bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Maryland taxpayers, in recent years, have increased school funding by billions of dollars. But a FOX45 News investigation found students are falling short of the academic goals set by the state. Project Baltimore examined the numbers, the money, and what some lawmakers said should happen next to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Full story linked here: bit.ly/4xB9h4B @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Maryland students did not reach any of the academic goals set by state education leaders. Governor Moore and State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright both say they are not concerned — are state lawmakers? Project Baltimore asked all 188 lawmakers whether they’re concerned, and what they plan to do about it. Full story tonight, on FOX45 News. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Should public school employees be required to notify their school district if they are arrested for a crime? Project Baltimore has uncovered there’s at least one Maryland school system where there is no such requirement – and some find that unsettling. Full story linked here: bit.ly/4gGGAxN @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

Maryland taxpayers are spending more than ever on public education — but are students getting the results to match? State Senator Justin Ready says he’s “real concerned” about what taxpayers are getting for their investment. Since 2024, Maryland has increased school funding by nearly $1.5 billion annually, bringing total funding to $15.5 billion. Yet the state’s academic goals aren’t being met. More money. More promises. Are the results good enough? Watch the full story at the link in out bio. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore

“We set high goals": Maryland Governor Wes Moore is not concerned that students didn't reach the academic goals set by the state. He points to recent gains in math and reading as encouraging. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. @chrispapst @FOXBaltimore