PG County School Officials Lash Out At Corruption Allegations

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The Prince George's County Public School district has slammed recent allegations submitted to the Maryland governor that graduation rates at county schools were being artificially boosted.

Four board of education members sent a letter to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan alleging that the school district fixed grades and gave credit for classes students didn't take. The letter claims that hundreds of students were involved and the effort has been going on since 2014.

Dr. Kevin Maxwell, chief executive officer of PGCPS, reacted angrily to the allegations in a letter.

"Much to our anger and extreme disappointment, and that of a majority of the Board of Education, a handful of Prince George’s County Public Schools community members have made baseless accusations about our high school graduation rates," a statement from Maxwell reads. "Over the last few years, we have worked diligently to raise standards and expectations for our students while implementing multiple supports to keep them on the road to a diploma. Allegations that we systemically engaged in unethical practices are false, play to the worst suspicions about our school system, and disparage all of us."

Another statement from principals at PGCPS claims that contrary to the allegations, nothing untoward has been going on behind the scenes.

"Here’s how we did it: High schools have goals that support a laser-like focus on ninth-grade promotion and graduation rates," the statement reads. "Teachers and staff are using the proper systems and supports in place, such as our grading and reporting policy, to promote student achievement. Neighboring school districts have had similar policies in place for many years. Our Multiple Pathways to Success program, also widely used by other school systems, allows learners to have a second chance at mastering course content and earning required credits. Our systemic Quarter Learning Modules give students who were close to passing a chance to be re-taught and reassessed on course content."

One PGCPS teacher claimed to have seen one student graduate despite having 44 unexcused absences, according to a WUSA 9 report. He claimed he felt compelled to come forward about the situation.

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