Maryland State Board of Education appoints new Executive Director

BALTIMORE, MD—Following a thorough recruitment and hiring process, the Maryland State Board of Education on Tuesday announced the selection of Zachary Hands as the State Board’s Executive Director.  Hands will begin in his new role on December 14, 2022. The Executive Director supports the independent functioning of the State Board. Hands also serves as the de facto Chief Operating Officer […]

Baltimore City teacher Berol Dewdney named 2022-23 Maryland Teacher of the Year

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education has announced the 2022-23 Maryland Teacher of the Year: Berol Dewdney, a pre-kindergarten teacher at The Commodore John Rodgers School in the Baltimore City Public Schools system. The 2022-23 Maryland Teacher of the year program was co-hosted by Brianna Ross, 2022 Maryland Teacher of the year, and Denise Koch of WJZ-13 on MPT2 […]

BCPS educator among finalists for 2022-2023 Maryland Teacher of the Year

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education has named seven teachers as finalists for 2022-23 Maryland Teacher of the Year. The finalists are: Charles Whittaker of Anne Arundel County Public Schools; Berol Dewdney of Baltimore City Public Schools; Alicia Amaral Freeman of Baltimore County Public Schools; Jonathan Kurtz of Frederick County Public Schools; Ashley Gereli of Harford County Public Schools; […]

Governor Hogan asks state Board of Education to advance investigation of grade-changing practices in Baltimore City Public Schools

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan this week announced that he has asked the Maryland State Board of Education to advance the Inspector General for Education’s recommendation for a full independent investigation of widespread grade changing practices in Baltimore City Public Schools. “Marylanders are demanding better outcomes and more accountability for the taxpayer dollars entrusted to the local school systems charged with […]

Maryland high school graduation rate shows slight increase in 2020-21 school year

BALTIMORE, MD—This week, the Maryland State Department of Education released data for the 2020-21 school year showing that more Maryland high school students are staying in school and receiving a high school diploma in four years. The four-year cohort graduation rate remained consistent and demonstrates a slight increase compared to the 2019-20 graduation rate. The dropout rate also decreased. Last […]

Baltimore County Public Schools officials provide update on when masking requirement might be dropped

UPDATE: Masks will become optional at Baltimore County Public Schools on March 1st. Original story below… ——— TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools officials on Wednesday provided an update on when school masking requirements might be eliminated. On February 10, 2022, Baltimore County’s COVID-19 case rate dropped below 100 cases per 100,000 residents, moving the county out of the CDC’s high […]

Maryland Board of Education votes to lift school mask mandate

UPDATE: The AELR has voted to lift the mask mandate. Original story below… —— BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Board of Education on Tuesday voted to lift the statewide school mask mandate. The board voted 12-2 in favor of lifting the requirement. The measure will now need to receive final approval from the state’s Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) committee, […]

Governor Hogan announces end of mask requirement in state buildings

ANNAPOLIS, MD—With the state’s health metrics continuing to substantially decline, Governor Larry Hogan on Monday announced that the requirement for masks and face coverings to be worn in state buildings will end next week. In addition, the governor has called on the State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, and encourages parents who want to weigh in […]