Introducing Maryland’s Strategic Plan to Transform Education
The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education are developing a multiyear Strategic Plan that will be released in three phases leading up to June 2023. The Strategic Plan will anchor the vision, mission, values, priorities, enablers, goals, and flagship programs, initiatives, and strategies to realize the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future promise of an excellent and equitable education for every student.
Our Values
We will take responsibility for our commitments, and maintain open, transparent, and responsive communication on academic, operational, and financial policies and outcomes.
We will partner and engage with diverse stakeholders and decision makers in the design, implementation, and evaluation of our policies, programs, and actions.
We will do whatever it takes to eliminate barriers to success and provide the necessary resources and supports to ensure that every Maryland student achieves at the highest level.
We will ensure a rigorous and engaging educational environment for all students defined by high expectations, research-based instructional practices, and highly effective, culturally responsive educators.
We will pursue best-in-class outcomes through bold, impactful actions to ensure that every student has the tools, resources, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Public Education at a Glance
Maryland has over 1,400 public schools in 24 local education agencies serving all of the state’s 23 counties plus Baltimore City. Total enrollment in Maryland public schools rose slightly from 2017 to 2020. Between 2020 and 2021, statewide enrollment declined by 3% due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In school year 2021-2022, over 881,400 students enrolled in Maryland public schools from Pre-K to high school. The projected enrollment for school year 2022-2023 is 895,780.
Strategic Plan Timeline of Phases
The development and release of the Strategic Plan is organized into three phases that range from October 2022 to June 2023.
October 2022
Release Mission, Vision, Values, Priorities and Enablers
Extending from November 2021 to October 2022, this phase focused on gaining initial input from a wide range of stakeholders representing the diversity of the state. Through multiple methods, from a statewide survey to roundtables and listening sessions, to the State Superintendent shadowing students in schools throughout the state, we learned what mattered most to our communities to transform public education in Maryland. The feedback we received helped shape the Strategic Plan’s foundational elements, specifically the vision, mission, values, priorities, and enablers.
February 2023
Release Goals and Metrics
Between October 2022 and February 2023, the State Board and the Maryland State Department of Education continued to engage with our communities to refine the Phase 1 elements of the Strategic Plan, and develop the goals and metrics linked to each of the priorities and enablers outlined in Phase 1. Engagement took the form of regional data walks with stakeholders, ongoing student shadows, and a new series of roundtables and community events. The goals and metrics released in this phase provide insight on our direction as we move into Phase 3.
June 2023
Release Targets and Identify Flagship Programs, Initiatives, and Strategies
Between February and June 2023, we will engage with stakeholders to identify flagship strategies, initiatives, and programs and set targets to achieve the goals developed in Phase 2. This work will be informed by best-in-class research and involve in-depth conversations with education experts, practitioners, and decision makers from early childhood to K-12 education and from the business community to institutions of higher education. The complete Strategic Plan will be released in June 2023. It will anchor the vision, mission, values, priorities, enablers, goals, metrics, targets, and the flagship programs, initiatives, and strategies to the Blueprint’s promise of an excellent and equitable education for every child.
Presentation Spotlight:
Regional Presentation and Gallery Walk – Eastern Shore Maryland
The State Board of Education and the Maryland State Department of Education presented the Strategic Plan and Engagement Report - Phase 1 at the Eastern Shore Strategic Plan Regional Presentation and Data Walk. State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury and MSDE staff facilitated an interactive gallery walk with stakeholders to engage in dialogue around the specific priorities and enablers outlined in the strategic plan and data related to Eastern Shore counties.
