Plans submitted by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff for implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future were recently approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), a group formed by the state legislature to oversee education reform plans for Maryland school systems.
“The submission of the system’s Blueprint plan is a culmination of work between various departments and agencies,” Chris Miller, coordinator of district innovation for CCPS, said. “Reform work requires the collaboration of many people.”
In November, CCPS was among the 15 local education agencies (LEA) with plans approved. Other plans approved by the AIB included those submitted by public school systems in Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Approval of the submissions allows the AIB to release fiscal year 2025 Blueprint funds to the LEAs who have cleared the process.
The Blueprint tackles five policy areas — early childhood education, high quality and diverse teachers and leaders, college and career readiness, providing more resources to ensure all students are successful, and governance and accountability.
The Maryland Department of Education and the AIB — along with their staffs — have spent 2024 reviewing plans sent in by LEAs. Each system’s plan includes a goal to raise academic achievement by providing support to students in English language arts and math, as well as salary increases for teachers. Incentives for teachers to earn National Board Certification, an increase in college and career pathway access for students and the expansion of prekindergarten programs are among the areas covered by the Blueprint and the path forward set by LEAs.
“The Blueprint is a chance for Maryland districts to transform education by focusing on equity and access,” Miller said. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021. It increases state funding for education over the next 10 years.
Implementation plans submitted by Garrett County Public Schools and St. Mary’s County Public Schools were approved in October following a review of the 24 public school systems in the state. Plans from public school systems in Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Talbot counties have not been approved by the AIB as of Dec. 4.
