Read more about the article Montgomery Takes Top Honors for Programs Expanding Opportunity and Connection
Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / NACo Achievement Awards
Montgomery Takes Top Honors for Programs Expanding Opportunity and Connection

Montgomery County earned national recognition for programs expanding access to child care, recreation, education, and community support for residents across generations. Leading the County’s 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards is the EquiCare Grant Program, which earned Best in Category in Children and Youth. EquiCare was created to address a gap facing families who need high-quality early childhood education but are ineligible for traditional subsidies. The program funds dedicated seats for infants and…

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August 27, 2026
Read more about the article State Board of Education Primed to Adopt New Mathematics Policy Today
Education
State Board of Education Primed to Adopt New Mathematics Policy Today

An updated math policy, set to be adopted today, aims to strengthen the foundation for improving math test scores in Maryland schools and bolster long-term outcomes for students.  The Maryland State Board of Education is set to vote on a new PreK-12 Mathematics Policy designed to improve how mathematics is taught, learned, and assessed across the state. This new policy comes after an initial strategy was adopted in early 2025. According to meeting documents these…

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August 25, 2026
Read more about the article Early College Success Raises the Bar for Blueprint’s Career Pathways
Education / Higher Education
Early College Success Raises the Bar for Blueprint’s Career Pathways

Prince George's County Public Schools and five other jurisdictions are enabling students to fast-track a high school and college degree in technology. Program data is showing impressive enrollment and completion rates but career outcomes are still unclear.  According to a recent The Edu Ledger article, Maryland’s early college programs are showing promising signs that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) can help students get a head start on college but careers outcomes are less clear.…

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August 24, 2026
Read more about the article Strong Agreement Around Education Reform, Significant Debate Over Strategy at #MACoCon
Education / Summer Conference
Strong Agreement Around Education Reform, Significant Debate Over Strategy at #MACoCon

The major consensus around education reform in Maryland is the Blueprint still holds great promise. The Maryland General Assembly needs to decide just exactly how the financial and implementation challenges will be resolved in order to move that shared vision forward.  The Saturday morning 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, "Blueprint in Action: Building on Success and Finding Common Ground," kicked off bright and early. This panel of state and local leaders discussed the accomplishments, challenges,…

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August 20, 2026
Read more about the article Building the Bigger Picture at #MACoCon
Education / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
Building the Bigger Picture at #MACoCon

County leaders examine how Maryland can plan, finance, and deliver infrastructure that supports growth, affordability, and resilient communities. Infrastructure touches nearly every county priority, from transportation, schools, and water systems to housing, economic development, and environmental resilience. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Karen Lewis Young moderated a discussion with county and state infrastructure leaders on the challenges of planning, financing, and delivering the projects communities rely on, particularly as counties balance limited resources…

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August 19, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland Pension System Tops Target With 13.19% Return
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Pensions & Public Funds
Maryland Pension System Tops Target With 13.19% Return

Maryland’s pension system posted a 13.19% net investment return in fiscal 2026, well above its actuarial target and adding another year of positive long-term performance for the $82.1 billion fund. The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System announced the results this week. The 13.19% return for the fiscal year ending June 30 exceeded the System’s 6.80% actuarial target by 6.39 percentage points. The fund tracked its investment benchmark much more closely, outperforming it by 3…

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August 18, 2026
Read more about the article Integrating Technology in the Classroom Must Be Handled With Caution and Pragmatism
Education / Summer Conference
Integrating Technology in the Classroom Must Be Handled With Caution and Pragmatism

Tempering expectations for educational outcomes is recommended when integrating new digital learning tools in school systems.  During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, "I, Teacher...Education in the Virtual Age," audience members learned about the ways technology and artificial intelligence are being integrated into school systems across Maryland as well as the pitfalls, safeguards, and benefits of new technology for learning. Erin Senior from the Maryland State Department of Education spoke about policies and guidance that…

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August 18, 2026
Read more about the article Digital Ad Tax Ruling Adds to Blueprint Funding Pressure
Source: Maryland Department of Legislative Services
Education / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Digital Ad Tax Ruling Adds to Blueprint Funding Pressure

A Maryland Tax Court decision striking down Maryland’s digital advertising tax could create another significant challenge for funding the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The tax has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the education plan, which already faces growing costs and long-term funding pressures. On August 14, the Maryland Tax Court ruled that Maryland’s digital advertising tax violates federal law. The court ordered refunds of taxes paid, plus applicable interest, in separate challenges brought by…

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August 17, 2026
Read more about the article Garrett County Commissioners Add Nearly $2M in Discretionary Funds for School System
County Budgets / Education
Garrett County Commissioners Add Nearly $2M in Discretionary Funds for School System

Recent budget approvals in Garrett see a $4M increase in school operating funds from the county government, including nearly $2M above the statutory requirement.  The Board of County Commissioners in Garrett approved a budget of $38,405,016 for the FY27 operating expenses of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS). This is about $1.8M more than the state mandated requirement for FY27 and just shy of $4M more than the prior year. This brings the total increase over…

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August 5, 2026
Read more about the article From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth at #MACoCon
Economic Development / Labor / Summer Conference
From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth at #MACoCon

As industries change, counties are adapting workforce strategies to better meet the needs of both residents and employers. A strong workforce is one of a county's greatest economic assets, but building it requires more than attracting new employers. It depends on ensuring residents have clear, accessible pathways to quality careers while employers have access to the skilled talent they need to grow. As industries evolve and labor market demands shift, counties are increasingly working with…

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August 3, 2026
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