Local Blueprint Implementation Plans Highlight Educator Shortages

In their local Blueprint implementation plans, all 24 counties noted their ongoing challenges to hire and retain qualified educators. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) were required by law to submit a local Blueprint Implementation Plan by midnight on March 15, 2023, outlining how it intends to implement the major education reforms set by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (“The Blueprint”). All 24 draft local plans are now available online. As part of those plans, all 24 school…

Comments Off on Local Blueprint Implementation Plans Highlight Educator Shortages
Local Blueprint Implementation Plans Now Available Online

Draft plans on how local jurisdictions will implement The Blueprint are now available for review online. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) were required by law to submit a local Blueprint Implementation Plan by midnight on March 15, 2023, outlining how it intends to implement the major education reforms set by the Blueprint for Maryland's Future ("The Blueprint"). As LEAs pre​pared their draft plans, many held public information sessions, which are accessible online. An email from the Blueprint…

Comments Off on Local Blueprint Implementation Plans Now Available Online
Counties Welcome Additional Grant Funding for Community College Capital Projects

On March 15, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 918 - Higher Education - Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program - Alterations. This bill doubles the amount of capital project grant funding available for Maryland's community colleges from $8 million to $16 million. At present, the Community College Construction Program distributes existing funds in the form of $1 million grants to individual community…

Comments Off on Counties Welcome Additional Grant Funding for Community College Capital Projects
Counties: Child Care Provider Bonuses Help Maryland’s Working Families

On March 15, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 881 - Child Care Providers and Employees - Bonuses - Alterations. This bill increases financial support in the form of certain bonuses for currently licensed child care providers in Maryland, and in doing so, also seeks to incentivize the establishment of new providers. At a time when the child care community is still reeling…

Comments Off on Counties: Child Care Provider Bonuses Help Maryland’s Working Families
Counties Support Increased State Aid for School Safety

On March 15, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted testimony to the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 938 - Primary and Secondary Education - School Safety and Student Well–Being - Examination of Policies. This bill increases the amount of annual funding distributed to schools for the purpose of further developing their safety and student wellness services, such as dispute prevention and remediation and School Resource Officers. In doing so, SB 938…

Comments Off on Counties Support Increased State Aid for School Safety
Read more about the article Library Collective Bargaining Bill Passes the House, Counties Seek Clarifying Amendments
StockSnap (CC0), Pixabay
Library Collective Bargaining Bill Passes the House, Counties Seek Clarifying Amendments

House Bill 65 was passed out of the chamber and is now up for consideration in the Senate. MACo is seeking clarifying amendments. MACo opposes HB 65 - Education - Public Libraries - Collective Bargaining as drafted. The bill effectively repeals the ability of local jurisdictions to pursue single-county legislation in this policy area, a framework that has suited the needs of both counties and library employees for years. This bill’s one-size-fits-all approach would not only…

Comments Off on Library Collective Bargaining Bill Passes the House, Counties Seek Clarifying Amendments
Counties Request State Funding to Support Expanded Calculation of Compensatory Education

On March 14, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1211 - Education - Compensatory Education - Maryland Neighborhood Tier System Calculation with amendments. This bill establishes a detailed tier system to better account for children's economic conditions when determining their eligibility for compensatory education funding. Counties support this legislation, and appreciate the extant difficulties in calculating compensatory education, as identified in the Kirwan Commission Report as well…

Comments Off on Counties Request State Funding to Support Expanded Calculation of Compensatory Education
MSDE Releases First Maryland School Report Card Since the Pandemic

The 2022 Maryland School Report Card shows more than 75% of schools earned 3, 4, or 5 star ratings based on factors including achievement, progress, and school survey. The 2022 Maryland School Report Card was released on March 9th.   Maryland schools receive ratings from a low of one star to a high of five stars. Schools earn stars based on the percentage of points earned on four indicators at the elementary and middle school levels:…

Comments Off on MSDE Releases First Maryland School Report Card Since the Pandemic