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TRANSFORMING EDUCATION IN TALBOT COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE OF MARYLAND THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE
Goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future:
- Transform Maryland’s early childhood, primary, and secondary education system to the levels of high-performing systems around the world
- Enhance the education profession and incentivize teachers to pursue professional development while maintaining focus on classroom instruction
- Expand and elevate educational opportunities for all students, Pre-K through Grade 12
Blueprint Overview
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is landmark education reform legislation that became State law in 2021. The intent of the Blueprint is to transform Maryland’s public education into one of the top performing school systems in the world. To do this, it focuses on five major policy areas or pillars: early childhood education, high quality and diverse teachers and school leaders, college and career readiness and pathways, more resources to ensure all students are successful, and governance and accountability.
Talbot County Public Schools is currently working on its Blueprint Implementation Plan, which will guide the school system’s work over the ten-year implementation period. The Blueprint will fundamentally improve outcomes for students in TCPS as well as all public schools across the state of Maryland. The Blueprint brings an expansion of programs and initiatives that will expand access for all of our students, from Pre-K through Grade 12. Additionally, the Blueprint seeks to elevate “overall student performance to be among the world’s best and eliminates achievement and opportunity gaps between students from different family incomes, races, ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, and other defining characteristics.”
Implementation Coordinator: Kristen Tilghman
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction: Dr. Helga Einhorn
Five Blueprint Policy Areas
Early Childhood Education
Expand access to public and priovate Pre-K programs that meet State Standards.
High Quality & Diverse Teachers & Leaders
Increased salary and professional development efforts to recruit and retain staff.
College & Career Ready Pathways
Rigorous opportunities and instructional programs that prepare students for success in college and careers.
More Resources
Additional programs and resources to available to support the overall needs of students.
Governance & Accountability
Local and State oversight to ensure implementation of the Blueprint.
Pillar One
Early Childhood Education
OVERVIEW
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future emphasizes equitable early education opportunities that prepare all children for school and overall success. Investment in high-quality early childhood education and learning experiences provides more equitable opportunities for children across the state to ensure success as they begin their school careers.
- CURRRENT TCPS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Offering full-day Pre-K program for 4-year-olds offered at all elementary schools
- Kindergarten Readiness Assessment given to all incoming kindergarteners
- Added Judy Center location to service St. Michaels and Tilghman areas
- Expanded P3 with an additional classroom starting in 22-23 school year
- UPCOMING BLUEPRINT INITIATIVES
- Expand partnerships with early-care providers to include more options for Pre-K and 3-year-old programming for low-income families
- Mandatory reporting of implementation strategies for publicly-funded full-day Pre-K and partnerships with private providers
- Assisting all Pre-K programs to attain MSDE Accreditation and enroll in Maryland EXCELS
- Provide tuition support to Pre-K instructional assistants obtaining Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials or an associate’s degree
- Increase Patty Centers (formerly Family Support Centers), Judy Centers, and the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program to provide education and support services for at-risk students 0-5 years and their families
Pillar Two
High Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders
OVERVIEW
Recognizing that quality educators are key to student success, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future seeks to enhance the teaching profession. The Blueprint specifically calls for the implementation of a career ladder with increases in salaries for teachers on various steps in the ladder, while also increasing the rigor and depth of teacher preparation programs in an effort to attract and retain the highest performing teachers.
Raising the Status of Teachers
- Improve teacher compensation to be comparable to other professions with similar education requirements, which includes initial 10% salary increase by FY24 and establish a minimum starting salary of $60,000 by FY27
- Increase rigor and standards for teacher preparation programs and state licensure to meet new requirements by July 2025
- Establish statewide framework for a performance-based career ladder that enables teachers to remain in the classroom while assuming additional responsibilities for an increase in salary
- Through the Blueprint, salaries for National Board Certified (NBC) Teachers in Maryland will increase by $10,000 with an additional $7,000 for teachers in low-performing schools
Current TCPS Accomplishments
- Currently supporting a cohort of teachers pursuing NBC beginning Fall 2022
- Added Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator to improve recruiting strategies for hiring and retaining diverse staff through Maryland Leads grant funding
- Established partnership with New Teacher Center and added five mentor teachers and an Engagement Specialist for new teacher support and retention
- Expanding upon local Grow Your Own and Teacher Academy programs
TCPS is on target to meet 10% salary increase by FY24!
Pillar Three
College & Career Readiness Pathways
OVERVIEW
The Blueprint emphasizes access to a rigorous and meaningful education that readies students for success in college and careers through new curriculum. This enables most students to achieve College and Career Ready (CCR) status by the end of tenth grade and then pursue pathways that include early college, Advanced Placement courses, and/or a rigorous technical education leading to industry-recognized credentials and high-paying jobs.
Upcoming Blueprint Initiatives
- Increase access to post-CCR program pathways leading to college credit and/or occupational certification at no cost to students
- Develop alternative options to help students achieve CCR designation by the end of 10th grade
- Expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) to include those taken through apprenticeship sponsors and/or non-credit courses leading to certificate or license
- Establish early warning systems and increase support infrastructure for students, including the expansion of tutoring services
Current TCPS Accomplishments
- Established 9th grade tracker system to measure each student’s progress toward graduating on-time and credit accumulation
- Added Certified Nursing Assistant pathway to CTE program
- Currently offering 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses to provide academically challenging content in a supportive environment
- Continuing to grow apprenticeship program with community partners
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Completer program provides real-life healthcare experience and assessments to gain CNA certification upon graduation.
TCPS Class of 2022 Spotlight
- 54% completed at least
one AP course - 23% earned credit for at least one Dual Enrollment course
- 39% fulfilled requirements for at least one CTE Completer – 10% (9) of these students completed more than one pathway
Pillar Four
More Resources for Supporting Students
OVERVIEW
With its emphasis on equity and closing deeply entrenched achievement gaps, the Blueprint stresses availability and access to resources to ensure that all students are successful. Embedded within the Blueprint for this area are increases in funding for special education and English Language Learners, as well as before- and after-school academic and school-based health services.
Current TCPS Accomplishments
- Implemented high-dosage tutoring (in-depth and individualized) to support student success
- Hired a Community School Program Manager for Easton Elementary School
- Hired additional Special Education and English as a Second Language (ESOL) teachers
- Hired additional instructional coaches for reading and special education
Providing Support to Those Who Need it Most
- Additional support for English learners, including family liaisons and workgroups to analyze student data and review instructional methods
- Revised state funding formulas to increase funding for English Language Learners, Special Education students, and those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals
- Implement annual training for school staff to focus on trauma, behavioral, and social-emotional learning supports
- Provide individual and small group instructional support for students below-norm in reading at grade level by third grade, and for secondary students who are not proficient in Mathematics
- More equitable distribution of resources to ensure staff capacity and experience are appropriately distributed with priority given to high-needs schools
- Increased partnerships to coordinate needed services including, but not limited to, before and after care, social services, behavioral health support, tutoring, etc.
Pillar Five
Governance and Accountability
OVERVIEW
The Blueprint emphasizes the work needed to ensure the successful implementation and evaluation of the legislation’s programs and initiatives. The Kirwan Commission established the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), a seven-member board charged with overseeing the comprehensive implementation of the Blueprint through FY32.
Annual reporting will be used to evaluate and make necessary changes based on whether:
- implementation plans are achieving expected outcomes;
- legislative changes are recommended during session;
- state and local funds provided are consistent with initial calculations;
- local agencies are complying with Blueprint Comprehensive Plan.
- Expert Review Teams to visit districts statewide to provide support for improving instruction
- Advisory Committees for each policy area comprised of educators, community leaders, and students from each region
- AIB Planning Sessions virtually and in-person for public review
- LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY
- Added Blueprint Coordinator position responsible for the implementation of the Blueprint by all respective parties within Talbot County
- Completed all mandated reports required by Maryland State Department of Education and AIB
- Establishing committees comprised of educators and community stakeholders to evaluate data relating to each policy area and assist with TCPS Implementation Plan
- Utilizing research-based models for training and coaching school staff
- Monthly updates to stakeholders at each Board of Education meeting
