State Department of Education Meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 9:00am - 5:30pm ET [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with a quorum and a welcome to attendees, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and housekeeping announcements. It recognized Black History Month and Career and Technology Education Month, emphasizing the importance of quality education and career pathways for Maryland students. The agenda included updates on protecting instructional time, statewide artificial intelligence (AI) guidance, and an annual teacher workforce update. The need for stable learning environments and safe schools was highlighted. Public comments featured support for the November 2025 Comprehensive Health Education Framework from Dr. Maria Trent and Dr. Kara Grant, who emphasized the importance of accurate health education. Student Luam Kiflom shared personal experiences advocating for health education standards. Other speakers addressed compensatory education, AI guidance concerns, and the collaborative development of the School Accountability Bill. The meeting discussed the significance of collaborative time in schools for mentoring and lesson planning. Trish Brennan-Gack from Maryland Reads reported on progress in improving reading proficiency and literacy coaching. Updates included the Maryland Education Leadership Program and the selection of NCS Pearson as the new assessment vendor for the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP). Dr. Miriam Rogers, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, provided an update on demographic shifts and improvements in student attendance and reading levels. She addressed challenges faced by multilingual learners and the importance of community schools and wraparound services. Board members expressed appreciation for progress and discussed best practices for supporting economically disadvantaged students. The meeting included updates on funding from the U.S. Department of Education, with Dr. Gunning confirming significant funds received. The Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) presented on their services and legislative advocacy, emphasizing the importance of ongoing communication among local boards. The meeting also focused on teacher workforce supply and demand, revealing a slight increase in the number of teachers and a gradual diversification of the workforce. Concerns about teacher attrition, particularly among Black teachers, were discussed, along with the need for better support systems and mentorship. Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives were highlighted, including registered apprenticeships and the Maryland Works Grant aimed at improving access for students. Anne Arundel County Public Schools presented their CTE alignment with strategic plans, emphasizing career coaching and the development of a Career Connected Learning planning tool. The meeting addressed the role of career counselors and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. Challenges in staffing and the integration of workforce development into school routines were discussed. Homework guidance was also reviewed, emphasizing meaningful assignments and equity considerations. An executive session followed to discuss appeals and legal advice regarding school calendars and a case involving a teacher accused of corporal punishment. The board ultimately voted on the disciplinary action against the teacher, leading to a recommendation for termination. Legislative updates included discussions on various bills, such as those protecting student privacy and improving educational accountability. The meeting concluded with a discussion on health education amendments, receiving broad community feedback, and a recommendation for adoption. The meeting wrapped up with discussions on COMAR regulations regarding the removal of county superintendents and updates on the career ladder policy. The session ended with a focus on AI guidance in education, emphasizing accountability, student privacy, and the need for ongoing collaboration and professional development for educators.