Read more about the article Gov Moore Signs Education Reform Bill, Says, “We Did Not Go Far Enough”
Education
Gov Moore Signs Education Reform Bill, Says, “We Did Not Go Far Enough”

Governor Moore signals potential further initiatives to refine the strategy for the state education reform plan - the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint). Comments focused on not just spending more but spending responsibly. During the bill signing to enact the first major changes to the landmark legislation that established the Blueprint, Governor Moore shared that he does not believe lawmakers and the administration went far enough. From the bill signing: "While this legislation is an…

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May 15, 2025
Read more about the article Blueprint Accountability Board Releases Report on Highlights of Education Reform
Education
Blueprint Accountability Board Releases Report on Highlights of Education Reform

In a recent publication from the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint) Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), state officials released a three-page progress report on the rollout of the statewide education reform plan. Shows some progress, no mention of financial variances, barriers and challenges. The statewide agency in charge of holding local school systems and Blueprint implementation coordinators accountable for implementation of the education reform plan released a report highlighting achievements of new policies that are…

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May 15, 2025
Read more about the article Teacher Preparation Pipeline Summit Sheds Light on Strategies In Southern Maryland
Education / Higher Education
Teacher Preparation Pipeline Summit Sheds Light on Strategies In Southern Maryland

Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert County school officials came together for the second annual Southern Maryland Teacher Preparation Pipeline Summit. The work focused, in part, on challenges and strategies for getting high school students, non-teaching staff, and conditionally licensed educators into fully certificated teaching roles. In early spring St.Mary's County Public Schools hosted the second annual summit to explore successes and challenges as well as develop strategies to improve the capacity and longevity of the…

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May 15, 2025
Read more about the article Montgomery Council Unveils Plan to Fund 99.8% of School Budget Request Without Tax Hike
County Budgets / County News / Education
Montgomery Council Unveils Plan to Fund 99.8% of School Budget Request Without Tax Hike

This week, the Montgomery County Council unveiled a proposal to fund 99.8% of Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) $3.65 billion budget request for fiscal 2026, without raising income or property tax rates. The Council’s plan comes after County Executive Marc Elrich proposed a modest income tax increase from 3.2% to 3.3% as part of his $7.65 billion operating budget for fiscal 2026. The plan, developed in partnership with MCPS, reallocates $50 million ($25 million in…

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May 13, 2025
Read more about the article MACo Diversity Caucus Symposium Recap – Workforce, Youth Investment, and Health Disparities
Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / MACo Events / Public Safety and Corrections
MACo Diversity Caucus Symposium Recap – Workforce, Youth Investment, and Health Disparities

The MACo Diversity Caucus - chaired by Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball - hosted a first-time virtual symposium. Seven panelists covering workforce, youth investment, and health disparities discussed challenges facing women and communities of color across the state, as well as what local and state governments can do to support new and existing efforts. Yesterday morning the MACo Diversity Caucus presented a two hour virtual symposium for MACo members. This educational session, hosted by…

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May 13, 2025
Read more about the article Baltimore County Blueprint Cost Breaks Into the Billions 3 Years Early
County Budgets / Education
Baltimore County Blueprint Cost Breaks Into the Billions 3 Years Early

With a loss of more than 1,000 students in the last two years, Baltimore County Public School Blueprint funding still hits the $1B mark three years early. This proposed FY2026 allocation represents the fifth year in a row the county government has exceeded the funding requirement, based on obsolete State estimates, for the Blueprint by hundreds of millions.  In a well articulated and meticulously substantiated report from Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Dr. Myriam…

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May 12, 2025
Read more about the article Allegany Detention Center Uses Digital Tools To Support Inmate Self-Improvement
County News / Education / Public Safety and Corrections
Allegany Detention Center Uses Digital Tools To Support Inmate Self-Improvement

In a step forward for rehabilitation and reentry preparation, the Allegany County Detention Center has expanded its use of educational tablets to ensure that every incarcerated individual now has access to the Pathway to Achieve™ program. This digital platform—offered through Pay Tel Communications’ inteleTABLET™ devices—provides detainees with access to hundreds of self-paced courses aimed at personal development, education, and life skills, all at no cost to Allegany County taxpayers. While tablets have been in use…

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May 8, 2025
Read more about the article Federal Judge Temporarily Restores Pandemic Relief Funds for MD Schools
Courts / Education
Federal Judge Temporarily Restores Pandemic Relief Funds for MD Schools

Following a lawsuit filed by Maryland, 15 other states, and the District of Columbia, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Education to reinstate extensions for use of COVID-19 funds in schools. The plaintiffs, including Attorney General Anthony Brown and team, argued that the cancellation disrupted essential educational services such as tutoring, building improvements, and after-school programs, and could lead to layoffs and budget shortfalls. In Maryland the funds in jeopardy were allocated for…

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May 8, 2025
Read more about the article Kent Commissioners Approve $300K Boost for Public Schools
County Budgets / Education
Kent Commissioners Approve $300K Boost for Public Schools

The Kent County Commissioners approved an additional $300,000 in funding for public schools, going beyond the County’s required funding formula to support Superintendent Mary Boswell-McComas’s plan to minimize staff reductions amid budget challenges. According to Kent County News, the new allocation allows the school system to implement "Option B" of the superintendent’s budget proposal, reducing the number of staff cuts from 44 to 18. While the $300,000 boost helps maintain support staff for one year, those…

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May 8, 2025
Read more about the article Counties Gain New Tool to Support Child Care Providers
Education / General Assembly News / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Gain New Tool to Support Child Care Providers

Counties and municipalities now have a new tool to bolster child care options in their communities, thanks to newly passed legislation, HB 389 / SB 516 of 2025. This new law, spearheaded by Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr and Senator Nancy King, enables local governments to grant property tax credits to child care providers — an innovative move to address the significant decline in child care availability across Maryland. MACo Supports Local Flexibility for Child Care…

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May 7, 2025
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