Letter from the Board President and State Superintendent
Dear Marylanders:
The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education have committed to a transformative path forward in support of every student in Maryland. In order to ensure student success at scale, we must address the present and persistent historical challenges across our state’s educational system.
Dear Marylanders:
The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education have committed to a transformative path forward in support of every student in Maryland. In order to ensure student success at scale, we must address the present and persistent historical challenges across our state’s educational system.
Dear Marylanders:
The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education have committed to a transformative path forward in support of every student in Maryland. In order to ensure student success at scale, we must address the present and persistent historical challenges across our state’s educational system.
Educational experiences in Maryland before the COVID-19 pandemic did not prepare all students for postsecondary success nor did they meet our workforce needs. In 2019, 57% of Maryland’s 10th grade students and 59% of 3rd grade students were not proficient in English language arts. These challenges also held true in math where 73% of students were not proficient in Algebra I. Furthermore, 75% of Black/African American boys were not proficient in math in 3rd grade, and 76% of students eligible for Free and Reduced Price Meals were not proficient in English language arts in 3rd grade.
The pandemic has only exacerbated our challenges. As we continue to work to overcome these deficits, a return to normal is not good enough. We must tackle the opportunity and achievement gaps that have persisted in our state. This will ensure that all students, from advanced learners to those who are struggling and have been historically underserved, receive the necessary support in order to reach their full potential.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 to transform public education in the state into a world-class education system. The legislation presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fulfill the promise of an excellent and equitable education for all children in Maryland.
We are committed to moving with urgency to actualize the bold, transformative change our students deserve. To accomplish this, 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 align our vision, mission, values, priorities, enablers, goals, and flagship programs, initiatives, and strategies to the Blueprint’s promise of an excellent and equitable education for every student. Ultimately, the Strategic Plan will anchor and reinforce the Blueprint legislation into the organizational fabric of our everyday work, and will embody the aspirations that the people of Maryland have for our students.
Through our engagement efforts, we know that over 85% of stakeholders believe the quality of public schools is “extremely important” for Maryland’s success as a state. We will work collaboratively and transparently with educators, families, local education agencies and boards of education, institutions of higher education, the Accountability and Implementation Board, employers, and stakeholders across our state to ensure success.
We cannot do this alone. We look forward to your continued engagement and support as we seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform public education so that all students in Maryland are ready to be successful in college, career, and life.
CLARENCE C. CRAWFORD
President, Maryland State Board of Education
MOHAMMED CHOUDHURY
State Superintendent of Schools
