Baltimore parent calls for change in Md. public school system

Concerned educators and parents came together in Annapolis today after about half a year of collecting information to release their findings in the hopes of swaying the Maryland Department of Education to make changes.

In Maryland, 63 % percent of all fourth grade students  read below proficient levels. That figure is based data gathered by the National Assessment of Education Progress in 2015.  These rates are alarming to literacy experts, and they tell us this is a red flag for dyslexia and language learning disabilities. One Baltimore parent, Liz Hembling  spoke about her 13 year-old daughter with dyslexia. She says she transferred her daughter, Mia Hembling, from public to private school to get her the necessary screening and instruction. While the mother admits the transition and getting her screened has been costly  she says it has made a considerable difference. Mia also addressed the hundreds who turned out Tuesday afternoon, by reading a poem she wrote about dyslexia.

“The screen it was crystal clear for everyone could read it except for me. In 5th  grade I was bullied because I couldn’t read,” says Mia Hembling.

Mia Hembling is currently in the 7th grade. Since making the switch to private school her mother tells us  Mia is now reading at a 6th grade level.