Maryland races to boost FAFSA completion

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released strategies to assist local school districts with helping more students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used to apply for about $130 million in state scholarships and grants. According to recent estimates, the Maryland completion rate is about 23% lower than last year. To […]

NOW YOU KNOW: School Choice Will Help Students, Families, and Teachers

The following is an education update from Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki. With the 2023-2024 school year coming to a close, it’s essential to talk about the education crisis in Maryland and how to address it. The Blueprint for Maryland Schools was passed several years ago in Annapolis to address declining student achievement in science, math, and literacy skills. […]

Maryland State Board of Education appoints Dr. Carey Wright as next State Superintendent of Schools

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Board of Education voted unanimously on April 24 to appoint Dr. Carey Wright as the State Superintendent of Schools for the next four years. Wright was selected from a field of candidates that was narrowed down following a nationwide search process. “Our search yielded a candidate who brings decades of service as a teacher and systems […]

Two BCPS high school students named semifinalists in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Department of Education has named two Baltimore County Public Schools high school students as semifinalists in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts, or in career and technical education. Up to 161 students are selected annually, and […]

Maryland graduation rates show slight decrease from previous year

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education on Tuesday released new graduation rates for students graduating from public schools this year, showing a slight decrease from the previous year. According to the data, the 2023 cohort graduation rate was 85.8%, down from 86.3% in 2022. The graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students rose slightly from 75.7% in 2021-2022 to 80.8% […]

Baltimore County educator among finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education on Monday named six finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for elementary school students, and an educator from Baltimore County is among them. The awards, established in 1983, honor teachers in grades K-12 who demonstrate deep content knowledge and the ability to motivate and enable students to […]

Purple Star awarded to 8 Maryland schools for supporting military families

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education has announced that eight schools in the state are recipients of the first Purple Star designation. This recognition is given to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to students from military families. The Purple Star designation program was created in 2023, and schools are eligible if they have a demonstrated commitment to supporting […]