…We believe that this fall would be a good time for MCPS to rethink policies, practices and decisions going into union contract negotiations and budget formulation for FY 2028. And, while there is much to address in the OLO report, the Taxpayers League’s focus is on low income — Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs)–students because we believe poverty is a root cause for most academic proficiency problems, not race. MCPS notes in its response FARMs students are 44.5% of all students. In fact, last year’s Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) test showed a growing gap between FARMs versus non-FARMs students of 34 points for English Language Arts proficiency, and a gap of 32 points in math.
Here are three practices that must change to improve student outcomes:...
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2026/08/06/opinion-solutions-mcps-equity-funding-controversy/