The State has released the second phase of the statewide strategic plan to guide the implementation of Maryland’s landmark education reform law.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the State Board of Education (SBOE) published Phase 2 of its Strategic Plan to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (“The Blueprint”). Phase 1 of the Plan was unveiled in October 2022. The introduction of the Phase 1 plan described the process and goals of the Strategic Plan:
The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education are developing a multiyear Strategic Plan that will be released in three phases leading up to June 2023. The Strategic Plan will anchor the vision, mission, values, priorities, enablers, goals, and flagship programs, initiatives, and strategies to realize the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future promise of an excellent and equitable education for every student.
While Phase 1 laid the foundation for the implementation timeline and The Blueprint’s five pillars, Phase 2 focuses on goals and metrics to evaluate implementation and outcomes.
A press release noted:
Informed by unprecedented stakeholder engagement, Phase 2 of the Strategic Plan refines Phase 1 elements of the Strategic Plan and develop the goals and metrics linked to each of the priorities and enablers outlined in Phase 1. Phase 2 will guide MSDE’s organizational direction as it leads the transformation necessary to achieve excellent and equitable outcomes for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved. The goals and metrics released in this phase will provide guidance and direction as the SBOE and MSDE move into Phase 3 of the plan.
MSDE’s website further states that, “Engagement took the form of regional data walks with stakeholders, ongoing student shadows, and a new series of roundtables and community events.”
The press release outlined this engagement in more detail:
Extraordinary stakeholder engagement and input exemplify the foundational basis of continued development of the Strategic Plan. Through surveys, round tables, listening sessions, community conversations and events, the SBOE and MSDE leveraged a number of stakeholder connections to inform Phase 1 and 2 of the Strategic Plan and intend to continue that effort during Phase 3. Engagement will continue throughout the development of the final phase of the Strategic Plan with new opportunities for stakeholders to participate in round tables, community conversations, surveys, and events. The SBOE and MSDE will work collaboratively and transparently with the Accountability and Implementation Board, educators, families, local education agencies and boards of education, institutions of higher education, and employers and stakeholders across the State to ensure success
Phase 2 Goals and Metrics
Phase 2 provides an overview of goals and metrics for Blueprint implementation based on its four priorities and the various “enablers” identified in Phase 1 that would empower the success of The Blueprint. Phase 1 priorities and enablers included the following:
Building off of these priorities and enablers, Phase 2 lays out goals and metrics to measure Blueprint implementation and impact.
Next Steps
The next step in Blueprint Strategic Planning will be on June 3, 2023, when Phase 3 is released. Under this phase, the State will:
- Finalize Phase 1 & 2;
- Release targets; and
- Identify flagship programs, initiatives, and strategies.
After Phase 3, implementation planning is complete and the State and locals move into full Blueprint implementation and continued partnership.
MSDE is currently conducting a Strategic Plan survey available in multiple languages.