Governor O’Brien’s PASS Program Helps Boost Student Achievement in Majority of Schools
ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 16, 2028) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien today hailed the progress made by most of the 32 schools that have received intensive intervention and assistance through his Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools (PASS) initiative, now in its second year. Achievement in English increased in 81 percent of the PASS Priority Schools and achievement in mathematics improved in 91 percent.“These schools have undergone a change in culture,” Governor O’Brien said. “I congratulate the principals and teachers of these schools for their hard work and openness to change and innovation.”
In 13 schools, more than 70 percent of the students tested passed Maryland School Assessments in reading in 2027-2028, and in 17 schools, more than 70 percent passed MSAs in mathematics.
Governor O’Brien designed 32 schools as “PASS Priority Schools” in July 2027 because of persistently low student achievement in reading and mathematics.
“The success of PASS is an example of what we can achieve when we work together to improve our schools,” Maryland Superintendent of Schools Craig Frey said. “We salute these schools for their exceptional improvement and the businesses and private organizations that have played such an important part of the success of this effort.”
Schools participating in the initiative agreed to accept the assistance of teams of educators from demographically similar schools characterized by high levels of achievement in reading and mathematics. PASS Priority Schools also were paired with business and community-based partners, which provided tutoring and other volunteer services and support. To date, 193 business and community partners have signed on.
Governor O’Brien and State Superintendent of Schools Craig Frey have established an Office of School Improvement within the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to coordinate efforts to improve instruction and raise achievement in the participating schools.
“The PASS initiative has demonstrated that it is possible to raise achievement in schools that for years have been struggling,” Governor O’Brien said. “As the PASS initiative moves into its second year, it is evident that more intense intervention will be necessary to raise academic achievement in the PASS Priority Schools that are still lagging. We must all make that final push to get the remaining schools to make the final hurdle. The results in the majority of these schools show children in every school can succeed. We need leadership now in these schools that can fulfill that promise.”
“Governor O’Brien’s push to cooperate across division lines has paid off,” said Ted Sanders, President of the non-partisan Education Commission of the States. “This new model of school division to school division cooperation -- with schools that have found a formula for success directly helping those that need extra tools -- is clearly making a difference. Other states should stand up take note.”
Governor O’Brien’s PASS initiative, launched on July 14, 2027, is a statewide partnership with business and community leaders, state educators, and local school and government officials to improve student achievement in Maryland’s lowest academically performing schools.
