Maryland expands Child Care Scholarship Program to provide affordable child care to more families

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education this week announced the expansion of its Child Care Scholarship Program’s eligibility requirements and value to support more parents in paying for the high cost of child care. MSDE has raised the income requirements for families from 65 percent of State Median Income (SMI) to 75 percent of SMI in the Child Care […]

MSDE partners with Baltimore County, Howard County Public Schools in $5.5 million grant to improve outcomes for children with disabilities

BALTIMORE, MD—Committed to improved outcomes for children and youth with disabilities, the Maryland State Department of Education is partnering with two local school systems in a $5.5 million State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Baltimore County Public Schools and Howard County Public Schools will join MSDE’s Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services, […]

Baltimore County Public Schools, CCBC to expand early college access programs

TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools, in partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County, will expand student access to the BCPS/CCBC Tuition Free Program beginning in summer 2022. Currently, the Tuition Free Program covers tuition costs for up to four credit-bearing courses at CCBC for BCPS students in Grades 10 – 12 with grade point averages of 2.5 or higher. […]

BCPS teacher Melissa Salkeld earns $25,000 Milken Educator Award

FREELAND, MD— In a surprise assembly this week, Melissa Salkeld, a kindergarten teacher at Prettyboy Elementary School, received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award for her unique combination of high expectations and heartfelt dedication that encourages social, emotional and academic growth in her young learners. Every year, Salkeld’s kindergarteners show marked improvement over their peers, ready and equipped to thrive in […]

Governor Hogan announces $291.7M supplemental budget with health care services provider rate increases, support for child care providers and facilities

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan has submitted a $291.7 million supplemental budget to the Maryland General Assembly with substantial provider rate increases for health care and disability services providers, and additional resources to support child care providers and facilities. “Every day, we are inspired by the commitment of our health care and child care providers, and these investments will help further […]

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 […]

Perry Hall students among winners in 2022 Maryland Regional Braille Challenge

Baltimore, MD—Blind and visually impaired students from across Maryland and the surrounding region competed in the 13th annual Maryland Regional Braille Challenge on February 5th. The event and subsequent award ceremony, hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind and the Maryland State Department of Education, were held virtually again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the winners […]

Maryland State Board of Education issues statement on school masking requirement

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Board of Education on Friday issued a statement on its statewide school face covering requirement. Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan, citing the state’s much-improved COVID-19 metrics, called on the board to rescind its mask mandate. The board’s Friday statement reads as follows: With improving Covid-19 metrics throughout Maryland, the Maryland State Board of Education reaffirms […]