Baltimore County school officials are glowing with pride after the release of a system staffing report last week. They deserve to glow.

The report focused on job satisfaction and the increase in "highly qualified" teachers -- determined by a specific set of credentials -- especially in the county's high-poverty or Title 1 schools, a classification that indicates a large percentage of students from low-income households.

No one can question that hiring and retaining highly qualified teachers is essential to maintaining an effective learning environment. And that is what seems to be happening in Baltimore County.

The percentage of county classes taught by highly qualified teachers stands at 88.8 percent.

In 2003-2004, it was 62.5 percent.

In county schools where a large number of the students are from impoverished families, the numbers are also impressive.

About 97 percent of elementary teachers and 89 percent of secondary teachers in Title 1 county schools are highly qualified. Nationwide, only 53 percent of teachers in Title 1 schools rate as highly qualified.

Keeping talent in the classroom by reducing teacher turnover is also critical to educational success and the report showed county schools had high marks in this area.

This past year, 3.7 percent of county teachers resigned. That's less than half the 8.1 percent in 2004-2005. Also, fewer teachers are retiring or going on leave.

These retention rates may reflect the tightening of the job market elsewhere, but other indicators, including a survey conducted last year by Gov. Martin O'Malley, suggest county teachers have a high degree of job satisfaction.

With findings like this, we think teachers and staff of Baltimore County Public Schools, especially Superintendent Joe Hairston, are entitled to take a bow.

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