Read more about the article 2024 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education
County News / Education / Higher Education / MACo Testimony
2024 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of education policy in the 2024 General Assembly session.  Counties support education as the largest component of their budgets, with operating and capital support for schools typically representing a larger share of a county budget than all other functions combined. Statutory formulas drive most state-level funding, which requires constant attention to the state-county balance in funding responsibilities. The burden of costly mandates…

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April 11, 2024
Read more about the article MACo Backs Updates to Dual Enrollment via Education Bill on the Move
Education / Higher Education / MACo Testimony
MACo Backs Updates to Dual Enrollment via Education Bill on the Move

On March 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in support of SB 1102- Education – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future – Alterations. As amended, this bill makes several technical and operational adjustments to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (“the Blueprint”). SB 1102’s adjustments to college and career readiness (CCR) and the Blueprint’s envisioning of dual enrollment programs are of particular interest to county governments. Specifically,…

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March 28, 2024
Read more about the article Maryland Ranks Fourth for Highest Education Attainment in the US
Education / Higher Education / News You Can Use
Maryland Ranks Fourth for Highest Education Attainment in the US

A new study has found that Maryland is the fourth-most educated state in America, based on the percentage of the population that holds a bachelor's degree or higher.   Essay writing experts Essayservice.com, analyzed public data from the U.S. Census Bureau to find the percentage of people aged 25 or older who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in each US state. Using the most recent data from 2022, the percentage of people who have achieved this level…

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March 14, 2024
Read more about the article New Data Shows Maryland Ranks Fifth in U.S. for Best School System
County News / Education / Higher Education / News You Can Use
New Data Shows Maryland Ranks Fifth in U.S. for Best School System

New data shows Maryland ranks fifth in the nation for its school system, highlighting its commitment to excellence in education. The rankings, which consider factors like academic performance, bullying rates, and pupil-to-teacher ratios, offer valuable insights for county education departments. Maryland's strong performance underscores the importance of continued investment in education at the county level. Counties can use this data to identify areas for improvement and tailor educational programs to meet the needs of students.…

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February 22, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Support Extension of Student Loan Repayment Program to School Nurses
Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / Higher Education / Human Resources / Labor / MACo Testimony
Counties Support Extension of Student Loan Repayment Program to School Nurses

On February 13, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 545- Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program- Nancy Grasmick Public School Professional Award- Public School Nurses. This bill extends eligibility for the existing loan assistance program to public school nurses who are licensed as registered nurses. Counties view this as an additional tool to help hire and retain school nurses as school systems…

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February 14, 2024
Read more about the article UMD and PALS Might Have a Cost-Effective Solution for Counties
County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Environment / Health and Human Services / Higher Education / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use
UMD and PALS Might Have a Cost-Effective Solution for Counties

In the dynamic landscape of Maryland counties, innovation, and progress are vital for success. Enter the Partnership for Active Learning in Sustainability (PALS), a groundbreaking initiative that connects county governments with the expertise of University of Maryland students to tackle real-world challenges. PALS is designed to provide innovative, low-cost assistance to local governments while creating real-world problem-solving experiences for University of Maryland graduate and undergraduate students. In their coursework, students address issues like municipal service…

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February 13, 2024
Read more about the article MACo and MACC: Reject Dramatic, Permanent Funding Cuts for Maryland Community Colleges
County Budgets / County News / Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / Feature / General Assembly News / Higher Education / Labor / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
MACo and MACC: Reject Dramatic, Permanent Funding Cuts for Maryland Community Colleges

MACo and the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) sent a letter to legislative leaders urging them to reject the proposed dramatic, permanent cuts to State funding for community colleges. Counties have collaborated with community colleges to urge the General Assembly to reject proposed cuts to State funding for two-year institutions. As previously reported on Conduit Street, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) proposes to reduce fiscal 2025 funding for community colleges by $23…

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February 8, 2024
Read more about the article MACo Supports Annual Grants for all 16 Community Colleges
Education / Higher Education / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
MACo Supports Annual Grants for all 16 Community Colleges

On January 31, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 393- Higher Education- Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program- Alterations. This bill requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to annually distribute grants of equal amount under the Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program to all 16 community colleges. Beginning in fiscal year 2025, this bill also requires the Governor to allocate an amount equal…

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February 1, 2024
Read more about the article Recognizing and Celebrating Maryland’s NACo Leadership Academy Graduates
County News / Education / Higher Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Recognizing and Celebrating Maryland’s NACo Leadership Academy Graduates

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the September NACo Leadership Academy graduates from Maryland. They join over 10,000 graduates and current participants from across the country, benefitting from the 12-week online program, enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential. These are the graduates: Anchula George, Systems Analyst, Prince George's County Bryan Burke, Department Head, Frederick County Caitlin McClanathan, Chief Plant Operator, Frederick County Carol DeSoto, Clerk to the Commissioners, Charles…

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January 25, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Back Extension of Educator Stipends to Include Community College Students
Education / Higher Education / Labor / MACo Testimony
Counties Back Extension of Educator Stipends to Include Community College Students

On January 23, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 75 - Higher Education- Teacher Development and Retention Program- Definition. This bill extends eligibility for educator stipends within the Teacher Development and Retention Program to include individuals enrolled in community colleges. Counties support efforts to hire and retain talented educators, and the Teacher Development and Retention Program is one State effort to do so.…

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January 24, 2024
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