A congressional committee has approved legislation that would permanently redistribute many of the U.S. Department of Education's responsibilities to other federal agencies, advancing a broader effort to redefine the federal government's role in education. The US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce has advanced a package of bills intended to codify the Trump administration's initiative to discontinue the operations of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The effort permanently transfers many of the…

The future of education will be driven by advancements in and applications of innovative new technologies. At #MACoCon local leaders will come together to discuss the benefits and potential costs of integrating those resources.  As counties continue to invest in the future of public education, understanding the rapidly evolving role of technology in classrooms is essential. This session will provide county leaders, education stakeholders, and policymakers with valuable insight into how artificial intelligence, digital learning…

The deployment of ambient AI in classrooms holds promise for educational outcomes but privacy tradeoffs create serious challenges to implementation.  According to a recent EdTech article, a new generation of tools known as “ambient AI” could represent the next major evolution in classroom technology. Unlike traditional AI applications that require users to actively enter prompts or interact with a screen, ambient AI operates in the background, using data from classroom environments, learning platforms, and student…

State and local leadership come together at the 2026 MACo Summer Conference to discuss k -12 education reform progress in Maryland and implementation outlook. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) represents one of the most significant transformations of the state’s education system in generations, with direct impacts on county governments, local school systems, budgets, workforce development, and community outcomes. This session provides county leaders and stakeholders with a valuable opportunity to hear directly from those…

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by American Heart Association!  About American Heart Association:  The six cardiologists who founded the American Heart Association in 1924 would be amazed. From humble beginnings, the American Heart Association has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 35 million volunteers…