The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future in Action
The Maryland State Department of Education is prioritizing the implementation of programs and initiatives outlined in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation. Some of the actions taken in this first year of implementation have been identified below by pillar.
Learn more about Blueprint programs and initiatives
With sweeping policy changes designed to accelerate student achievement, and an unprecedented investment of state and local resources, the Blueprint creates the conditions for truly reimagining the education experience from early childhood to postsecondary success.
Special Education Workgroup
This workgroup discusses and provides recommendations on instruction and services for students with disabilities. MSDE is deeply invested in the success of students with disabilities and ensuring that all Blueprint-related programming occurs based on the best-in-class evidence-based research and strategies.
Neighborhood Indicators of Poverty
Under the More Resources for Students to be Successful pillar, a new Concentration of Poverty Grant was established to support schools with a high percentage of students living in poverty. The Blueprint also charges the Maryland State Department of Education to study and explore the application of more nuanced and sophisticated measures of poverty to better meet students' needs.
Multilingual Learner Workgroup
This workgroup is charged with accelerating the academic achievement of more than 98,800 multilingual students. The purpose of the workgroup is to collect data, study national and international best-in-class practices and make recommendations for implementing and scaling those practices in Maryland public schools.
MSDE’s Blueprint Implementation Plan
MSDE's Blueprint Implementation Plan focuses on utilizing equitable decision making to deliver greater opportunities for all students and the promise of a better future for every Maryland child. Equity is not an add-on, but instead must be a running thread in the Department and everything it does, MSDE values the incredible direction that the Blueprint offers and is laser-focused on leading the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
MD Leads Spotlight: Caroline County
The transition from middle school to high school can be challenging for many students, but Caroline County Public Schools has taken innovative steps to make this transition smoother. Leveraging the Maryland Leads grant program and partnering with BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risk), they have created an innovative 9th Grade Academy at North Caroline High School.
Maryland EXCELS Reports Increase in Bonus Recipients
Maryland EXCELS reports that in July 2024, the program awarded bonuses to 154 licensed child care centers and registered family child care homes. The bonus amounts range from $1,000 to $13,500 and are awarded to child care programs that publish any quality ratings for the first time, raise their quality ratings, or republish a quality rating of 4 or 5.
Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) is responsible for providing staff support for the Consortium. The CHRC will be working closely with the Administration, Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Department of Health, Maryland General Assembly, and other key stakeholders to help recruit qualified individuals to serve on the Consortium.
Judy Centers
Judy Centers utilize a multigenerational approach to provide wraparound services for families and children, as well as provide professional development for early childhood educators. The Blueprint expands Judy Centers throughout Maryland and includes nine additional Judy Centers each year for the next five fiscal years and 18 per year for the following five fiscal years.
Expert Review Teams
The Expert Review Team program is designed to support the implementation of the Blueprint at the school and district levels. By reviewing available data and information, and conducting a comprehensive school visit consisting of observations, interviews, and focus groups, the Expert Review Team will identify opportunities for improving the implementation of Blueprint initiatives with a focus on student outcomes and develop recommendations for support to improve student achievement.
Elevating the Teaching Profession
Maryland is focused on growing the pipeline of teachers who want to transform Maryland education and accelerate academic achievement for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved. Learn more about how to become a teacher in Maryland and explore available financial incentives and scholarship opportunities.
Community Schools
Community schools are schools that develop and utilize partnerships that connect the school, students, families, and surrounding community to the resources needed in order to thrive. They highlight the assets in traditionally underserved communities and provide students and families with essential wraparound services and supports.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future
Delivering opportunity and promise of a better future to every Maryland child, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will transform the State’s prekindergarten through postsecondary systems with sweeping policy changes and an unprecedented investment of State and local resources.
