Read more about the article MSDE Releases First Maryland School Report Card Since the Pandemic
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:…

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March 13, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Request State Support to Expanded Eligibility for Supplemental Reading Instruction
Education / MACo Testimony
Counties Request State Support to Expanded Eligibility for Supplemental Reading Instruction

On March 8, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1091 - Education - Screening Requirements for Students With Reading Difficulties - Alterations with amendments. This bill stipulates that public schools must screen all transfer students — in addition to all students for whom English is not a first language — for reading difficulties. If their screening results suggest that the student will have difficulty…

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March 8, 2023
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Supplemental Budget Proposed: Funds Disparity Grants, Updates Education Funding

Governor Moore has introduced a first Supplemental budget for FY24 - notably recognizing updated information on taxable income by county, which drives multiple funding formulas affecting counties and school systems.  Supplemental Budget #1 was introduced Friday, March 3 - and is the first adjustment to the Governor's proposed budget. Under Maryland law, the Governor may revise the proposed budget through this supplemental process, as many times as desired, but the General Assembly must receive and…

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March 8, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Applaud State Support for Local Blueprint Coordinators
County Budgets / Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Counties Applaud State Support for Local Blueprint Coordinators

On March 7, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1196 - County Boards of Education - Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Implementation Coordinator - Salary Grant. This bill requires the State, for fiscal year 2025 and 2026, to provide a $150,000 grant to each county board of education to fund local Blueprint for Maryland's Future implementation coordinator positions. Counties applaud the intent of HB 1196, a…

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March 8, 2023
Read more about the article State Releases Phase 2 of Blueprint Strategic Plan, Goals and Metrics
Education
State Releases Phase 2 of Blueprint Strategic Plan, Goals and Metrics

The State has released the second phase of the statewide strategic plan to guide the implementation of Maryland's landmark education reform law. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the State Board of Education (SBOE) published Phase 2 of its Strategic Plan to implement the Blueprint for Maryland's Future ("The Blueprint"). Phase 1 of the Plan was unveiled in October 2022. The introduction of the Phase 1 plan described the process and goals of the Strategic Plan: The…

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March 6, 2023
Read more about the article Interagency Commission on School Construction: March 9 Meeting Agenda
Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Interagency Commission on School Construction: March 9 Meeting Agenda

The Interagency Commission on School Construction(IAC) — a nine member commission that serves resource for best practices and as a statewide expert in facilities operations and management that supports Local Education Agencies — reviews and supports the implementation of capital projects relating to the repair and building of school facilities. It typically convenes once a month via videoconference. The meeting is live-streamed for the public on the IAC’s YouTube channel. The Board’s next meeting is…

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March 6, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Request Financial Support from the State for Expansion of Blueprint School Staff Pay
Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / MACo Testimony
Counties Request Financial Support from the State for Expansion of Blueprint School Staff Pay

On March 1, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 883 - Primary and Secondary Education - Public School Employees - Job Duties and Salaries with amendments. She also testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on the bill's cross-file, SB 791 on the same day. This bill would expand minimum salary and bonus requirements for teachers under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (The…

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March 2, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Support Expanded School Vision Services, Request Clarifying Amendments
Education / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
Counties Support Expanded School Vision Services, Request Clarifying Amendments

On March 1, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of HB 1054 - School Health and Vision Services - Screenings and Eye Examinations with amendments. This bill brings together the primary contact employees for school-based health centers in both the State Department of Education and Department of Health to administer the Vision for Maryland Program in local jurisdictions. From establishing a more robust network…

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March 1, 2023
Read more about the article Counties: Early Learning Collaboratives are a Sensible Means of Expanding Access to Pre-K
Education / MACo Testimony
Counties: Early Learning Collaboratives are a Sensible Means of Expanding Access to Pre-K

On March 1, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 881 - Early Learning Collaboratives - Established and Tax Credit for Contributions. This bill authorizes public and private providers of prekindergarten to form early learning collaboratives as part of a publicly funded prekindergarten program, and distributes to these collaboratives the same state funding available to independent providers. Counties applaud this innovative tool to meet the worthy…

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March 1, 2023
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