Louis Smith appointed to Board of Directors of The Maryland School for the Blind

BALTIMORE, MD—Louis Smith has been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Maryland School for the Blind as of December 1, 2022. Smith, a 1975 graduate of The Maryland School for the Blind, currently serves as President of the school’s Alumni Association. He received a BA in Music Education from Towson University in 1981 and a Master’s in Psychology/Rehabilitation […]

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 […]

Maryland School for the Blind specialist appointed to National Board of Education Sciences

BALTIMORE, MD—The White House has announced that Maria de la Concepcion Hernandez Legorreta (Conchita) has been appointed to the National Board of Education Sciences. Members of the Board are appointed by the President and are highly qualified to appraise education research, statistics, evaluations, or development. “MSB is delighted about Conchita’s appointment but not at all surprised. She has already established […]

MSDE: Maryland’s declining National Assessment of Educational Progress scores reflect nationwide learning loss trends

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland State Department of Education officials say state student scores followed a national declining trend on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), continuing a downward trajectory that began in 2013 and worsened during the pandemic. Maryland participates in the NAEP, a biennial assessment of fourth and eighth graders in reading and math. The assessment measures achievement at […]

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 […]

Governor Hogan proclaims Walktober 2022, encourages Marylanders to walk for health, recreation, transportation

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Noting the benefits to health and well-being that come from walking—Maryland’s official state exercise—Governor Larry Hogan this week issued a proclamation recognizing the third annual statewide celebration of Walktober, including a month-long schedule of events and webinars. The governor also noted that this Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, is annual Walk Maryland Day and encouraged residents to walk for health, […]

MSDE announces Maryland Elevates Grants Program to narrow achievement gaps for students in special education programs

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education this week announced the launch of the Maryland Elevates Grants Program, designed to enhance and sharpen the State’s efforts to narrow gaps for infants and toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families in a comprehensive system of early intervention and special education services, birth through age 21. With heightened emphasis on […]

Maryland State Department of Education launches Medicaid pilot project

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education is increasing access to free and reduced-price school meals for economically-disadvantaged students this school year through the United States Department of Agriculture Direct Certification Medicaid (DCM) pilot project. Maryland is one of seven states newly approved by the USDA to participate in the Medicaid matching pilot demonstration, which expands the Maryland Direct Certification […]