For twenty years, Baltimore’s parents, students, and community members have waited for meaningful change within our public school system. Year after year, we have witnessed children promoted to the next grade without the literacy, skills, or confidence they need to succeed. This demonstrates a blatant setup for failure. We have raised our voices, attended meetings, written letters, and made countless appeals-yet the same systemic issues continue to fail our children. 

As a new superintendent prepares to take office, we urge this leadership to break from the neglectful and ineffective patterns of the past and take bold, transparent, and student/family centered action. Our children cannot wait another moment for promises to become progress.

THEREFORE:  We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to:

• End social promotion – ensure that every student advances only when they have achieved true grade-level comprehension, ESPECIALLY when it comes to literacy.
• Guarantee free, high-quality math and literacy tutoring, before and after school for all grades, in every school, with measurable results.
  Integrate meaningful and educational school trips at least once per quarter for every grade level. 
• Establish no fewer than three trades or career programs in every high school in Baltimore City, preparing students for the workforce.
  Integrate modern curriculum standards that include financial literacy, AI and technology training, and real-world skill development as core subjects. 
• Separate elementary and middle school facilities to create age-appropriate learning environments and improve behavioral and academic outcomes. 
• Adjust the set-up of public board meetings from what is now, a venting session for parents and teachers, to, a question and answer forum.
  Ensure full transparency in how educational funds are allocated and spent, including open reporting and community oversight. (Do you not receive over $600,000 per student per year?)