Way back in the 1960s, a program was developed to encourage bright college students to choose teaching as a career. If a person chose to major in education at a state college or university, remission of tuition was granted as long as the person agreed to teach in Maryland for at least four years. Students were responsible for books and fees, such as dorm and activity fees.
That program was a boon to those who needed financial help, a boon to Baltimore and the counties as the number of qualified candidates for teaching openings increased allowing more competitive applicants and provided consistency in classrooms.
I took advantage of the program and taught for long time. It opened opportunities for summer employment which encouraged further learning opportunities. All in all, it created a strong faculty in many schools. Improving the quality of instruction could be a bonus.
Could this be made available again? It certainly is worth consideration (“Maryland’s teacher shortage trickles down to substitutes, but Baltimore area seeing some improvements,” Feb. 2).
— Karen Egorin, Lutherville
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