School Superintendents to Governor: Collaborate on Education Policy Updates

In a letter to Governor Moore, dated November 27th, the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM) requested the opportunity to collaborate with state leadership on potential adjustments to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future in light of its impact on the state fiscal crisis.

Local school leadership shared that after three years of implementation, the state education reform policy (Blueprint) has led to some early success; however, it is clear that adjustments are needed. The letter suggested that modifications should be connected to enhancing student growth and achievement.

To this end, three points were outlined:

  • investments must be linked to measurable student success
  • money and staff must be leveraged effectively to produce results
  • assessments and course corrections must be embraced in the face of challenges

This letter echos a general concern amongst local governments and school administrators that the rigidity and prescriptive nature of the Blueprint plan is creating a barrier to effectively producing better student outcomes. Adjustments and more flexibility around how funds are spent could better serve the overall policy goals of improving the quality and equity of education for all children.

In recent months, as the legislative session approaches, several other stakeholder groups have echoed similar sentiments. MACo and the Maryland State Department of Education have called explicitly for 2025 legislative action that focuses on fiscal clarity and prudence in light of the severe financial pressure the state is under. The State Board and agency specifically plans, according to an adopted draft of legislative proposals, to, “prioritize support for legislation that minimizes fiscal impact on the State budget and results in the strategic reallocation of funding from existing Blueprint or other existing educational appropriations.” Similarly, MACo advocacy efforts for the 2025 legislative session will focus on realigning the Blueprint with current economic realities. Policy advocates will look to leadership in the local school systems and state agencies to guide how that can be achieved.