Baltimore Mother Demands Action to Improve City Schools

A mother from Baltimore City is calling for urgent reforms in the local school system, stating that without significant improvements, she plans to leave the city.

Nichelle Watkins, whose son attends Johnston Square Elementary, expressed her dismay over the lack of educational support available to her child. "There’s nothing up there for them. Nothing. They go there to get babysit for eight hours and come home," she said, highlighting her frustrations with the current state of education.

Watkins has been advocating for her son, who is in the fourth grade, to receive additional help rather than being pushed through the grades without mastering the material. She has sought assistance from Baltimore City Public Schools for years, even reaching out to Project Baltimore five months ago in hopes of finding a solution.

Recent state test results reveal a troubling trend: 23 Baltimore City schools reported zero students proficient in math, including Johnston Square Elementary. Watkins noted, "When I saw the name Johnston Square on there, I knew what I was doing, and what I was saying was absolutely correct." She expressed frustration over the funding allocated to the schools, questioning its effectiveness.

In response to the concerning test outcomes, Project Baltimore contacted city officials, including City Council members and Mayor Brandon Scott. Councilman Eric Costello expressed his disappointment with the findings, stating that the council has limited control over school performance and funding.

Despite the outreach, Watkins remains skeptical about any potential response from the mayor. "What is he gonna do? But make a whole bunch of promises that he’s not gonna fulfill," she remarked, indicating her lack of faith in the system.

City Schools provided a statement outlining initiatives aimed at improving math scores, including professional development for teachers and extended learning opportunities. However, Watkins is unconvinced that these measures will lead to meaningful change.

Watkins is particularly concerned about her son’s future, stating, "I have a black son who’s gotta grow up in Baltimore City. That means in Baltimore City, you having a black child, a male child who at that, there is only two ways out. You’re either gonna be dead or locked up. And I don’t want that for my son." She plans to save money and eventually leave the city, believing that the current educational environment is inadequate for her child's success.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).