Plans submitted by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff for implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future were recently approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), a group formed by the state legislature to oversee education reform plans for Maryland school systems.

“The submission of the system’s Blueprint plan is a culmination of work between various departments and agencies,” Chris Miller, coordinator of district innovation for CCPS, said. “Reform work requires the collaboration of many people.”

In November, CCPS was among the 15 local education agencies (LEA) with plans approved. Other plans approved by the AIB included those submitted by public school systems in Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Approval of the submissions allows the AIB to release fiscal year 2025 Blueprint funds to the LEAs who have cleared the process.

The Blueprint tackles five policy areas — early childhood education, high quality and diverse teachers and leaders, college and career readiness, providing more resources to ensure all students are successful, and governance and accountability.

The Maryland Department of Education and the AIB — along with their staffs — have spent 2024 reviewing plans sent in by LEAs. Each system’s plan includes a goal to raise academic achievement by providing support to students in English language arts and math, as well as salary increases for teachers. Incentives for teachers to earn National Board Certification, an increase in college and career pathway access for students and the expansion of prekindergarten programs are among the areas covered by the Blueprint and the path forward set by LEAs.

“The Blueprint is a chance for Maryland districts to transform education by focusing on equity and access,” Miller said. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021. It increases state funding for education over the next 10 years.

Implementation plans submitted by Garrett County Public Schools and St. Mary’s County Public Schools were approved in October following a review of the 24 public school systems in the state. Plans from public school systems in Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Talbot counties have not been approved by the AIB as of Dec. 4. 

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).