Governor Martin O'Malley Convenes Forum on Skills and Education
Second of five "Maryland Forward" forums designed to shape O'Malley-Brown second term, transition into new economy
BOWIE, MD (January 3, 2011)–Governor Martin O’Malley convened the second of five forums today, designed to elicit feedback and ideas from stakeholders in preparation for a second term as Maryland’s Governor. Today’s forum focused skills and education as Maryland transitions into the new economy, keeping the state competitive, expanding opportunity for our children, and making Maryland a winner as we come through the global recession into an innovation economy. Today’s forum gathered the input of various stakeholders, including recommendations for legislation and actions related to building a world-class K-12 education system, promoting college completion, and expanding skills training in our state.
“We are all here today because we understand that we are in a fight for our children’s future. It’s a fight to turn into the new economy with more opportunity for all,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “In this fight, there will be some states that lose, and some states that win. For Maryland to win, we must move forward by creating jobs through innovation, by saving jobs, and by protecting public safety, public education, and our quality of life.”
Approximately 300 industry stakeholders took part in plenary sessions and industry-specific workgroups at today’s forum, which was hosted by Bowie State University in Prince George’s County. Attendees included USM Chancellor Dr. William “Brit” Kirwan, State Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grasmick, and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, among others.
"I want to commend the Governor for initiating these forums. Like the Governor, I am a strong proponent of dialogue and garnering input especially when it comes to the education of our children in Prince George's County. Improving our children's education not only improves their future prospects, but also the county's overall economy and quality of life," said Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.
Work group facilitators included Dr. Alvin Thornton, Senior Advisor to the President for Academic Affairs at Howard University and former chair of Maryland’s Thornton Commission on education; Dr. Elixabeth Morgan, Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools; Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, President of UMBC; Dr. David Wilson, President of Morgan State University; H. Walt Townshend, III, President and CEO of the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber; and Dr. Charlene Dukes, President of Prince George’s Community College.
Following today’s work sessions, Governor O’Malley convened a discussion of outcomes and recommendations with all forum participants. Recommendations include establishing a longitudinal data system that track trends among Maryland students from kindergarten through higher education, expanding career technical education (CTE) and science, technical, education and math (STEM) curricula in schools, expanding apprenticeships and occupational training to expand skills in Maryland’s workforce, and expanding community college enrollment.
The “Maryland Forward” forum series serve to develop strategies for the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s second term, and generate concrete actions and recommendations that support the Administration’s 15 strategic goals.
