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Spy Survey Summary on Learning for a Lifetime on the Mid-Shore

September 23, 2024 by The Spy

Every year, the Spy selects one nonprofit organization or school on the Mid-Shore that we admire, then we reach out to our 8,000 daily subscribers with a survey designed to inform all of us about a particular issue or initiative.

Recently, as a Spy reader, you were invited to participate in a survey about lifelong learning programs. Thanks to all of you who participated. The views you shared will help our partner in this, the Chesapeake Forum, as they develop their plans for the future.

A few thoughts should be of interest to all our readers and the community.

First, we recognize that this survey was completed by people who have an interest, indeed a passion, for lifelong learning.

Ninety-five percent of those who responded knew of one or more lifetime learning programs in their area. Only three percent did not.

Thus, we started with a well-informed group, and this was not a random survey.

With regard to actual involvement in lifelong learning, forty-five percent indicated they are currently involved in a program with an additional twenty-one percent indicating they have been involved withing the past two years, but not currently. An impressive thirty percent are not involved but are interested in learning more about lifelong learning.

When given alternatives, most people shared a preference for lifelong learning programs that are held in person with small groups of people. The least desired was online learning.

People were asked to indicate topics of greatest interest. Among the most frequently mentioned topics were: history, art, literature, gardening, music and cooking.

It was encouraging to see that after answering a number of questions about lifelong learning, ninety-one percent of the respondents indicated it was very (57%) or somewhat (34%) important to them.

The communities on the Eastern Shore are fortunate to have a number of options when it comes to lifelong learning programs.

While not a complete list, these organizations were mentioned most frequently on the survey in addition to Chesapeake Forum:

Academy Art Museum
Avalon
BAAM
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Chesapeake College
Talbot County Historical Society
Washington College

If you wish further information, the good folks at Chesapeake Forum, Academy for Lifelong Learning (WC-All) in Chestertown, and the Institute of Lifelong Learning.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County STEM Camp Completes Another Excellent Summer

September 4, 2024 by Henley Moore

Like many communities throughout the country, the summer can be an essential time for young students to catch up on critical cognitive skills and be on equal footing with their peers by the fall. That is certainly true on the Mid-Shore, where children take advantage of a unique STEM Camp for 1st through 5th-grade youngsters in Talbot County.

This camp might be more unique because the instructors are all area high school students. That might be part of the special sauce that makes this summer school fun and successful for some 30 students yearly.

These older students not only can relate well to their young wards while studying tough subjects like math and science, but they run every aspect of the camp.

From developing the curriculum to planning field trips or deciding on meals, a core group of 30 staff members comes together to make the four-day program one of the most memorable experiences for their younger peers. But another part of this magical formula is that those older kids are learning as well.

Given the responsibility (and the risks associated with it) of running a full-scale program from soup to nuts, these teens find within themselves core leadership skills that are just as impactful life lessons as those they provide to the smaller children.

The Spy sat down with three of those young leaders last week to talk about the program.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more information about STEM Camp in Talbot County please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

As School Year Begins, Education Reform Plan Faces a Reckoning

August 22, 2024 by Maryland Matters

When Maryland public schools welcome nearly 890,000 students back to classes in the coming days, it will also be the beginning of year three of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s sweeping education reform plan.

But the plan’s future is suddenly up in the air, as state and local lawmakers are raising new concerns about its costs in a time of budget uncertainty.

That was highlighted last weekend, when Gov. Wes Moore (D) told a gathering of county leaders the plan may need to be refined due to pending fiscal challenges. Moore said he supports the goals of the Blueprint but the challenge now is “to address our fiscal challenges … and right now, everything is on the table.”

But Paul Lemle hopes the state stays the course.

“It’s a once-in-a-generation investment in our students and our educators. So, it makes no sense that people would say it’s not a good thing, or blame it for some other problem,” said Lemle, a Howard County high school social studies teacher who began a three-year term this month as president of the Maryland State Education Association.

“The bad part of it is when you hear local elected officials saying, ‘Our budgets are tighter. We can’t afford it.’ That’s wrong,” Lemle said Monday, while in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. “It’s a really short-sighted perspective because the Blueprint is doing exactly what it is intended to do – improve educator salaries, put more people into the profession, hire more of them.”

The Blueprint law passed in 2020, but was vetoed by then-Gov. Larry Hogan (R). The General Assembly overrode his veto in 2021, but implementation was pushed back a year because of COVID-19 school closures.

The education plan is based on five priorities, or pillars: hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, early childhood education, providing additional resources for students in need, preparing students for college and technical careers, and governance and accountability.

Some aspects of the Blueprint have already been implemented, such as an increase in prekindergarten enrollment and more high school students able to take local college courses for free, a plan known as dual enrollment.

But local school officials for months have outlined challenges in implementing the Blueprint, such as funding, diversifying teacher workforce and the need for more flexibility from the state to continue implementing the 10-year plan.

And county government leaders joined in last week at the Maryland Association of Counties conference, where high costs and inflexibility of the plan were mentioned frequently.

“Between state revenues, between fund balances getting lower, it’s going to be more and more cataclysmic without course corrections on the way,” Dorchester County Councilman Michael Detmer (R) said during a Saturday session. He said he is skeptical the Blueprint’s supporters will readily agree to changes.

Del. Jefferson Ghrist (R-Upper Shore) moderates a panel Aug. 15 at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference in Ocean City. Photo by William J. Ford.

A Thursday session on the Blueprint’s early childhood pillar – which includes a requirement that school districts provide a mixed-delivery system to serve students in both public schools and private child care centers – brought a plea for flexibility.

“No matter what the issue is, one size never fits all and pre-k is a great example of that,” said Del. Jefferson Ghrist (R-Upper Shore), who moderated the discussion. Ghrist voted against the Blueprint three years ago, but said he does support the early childhood part of the plan.

Better collaboration

Erin Doolittle, a prekindergarten teacher at Hillcrest Elementary in Frederick County, agrees that one size doesn’t fit all. But she said that she likes what she’s seen of the Blueprint so far.

Doolittle said the Blueprint has provided additional support for her school, where she’s entering her 21st year teaching, like the requirement to have a coordinator in schools designated as community schools. For her school, the coordinator organized a weekly afternoon gathering with families this summer at a local park, where children read books, practiced the alphabet and did other activities. Doolittle said parents could also receive information about transit services in the county.

Hillcrest serves as a community school that partners with local organizations to help teachers as well as parents and students’ families. Last school year, Doolittle said at least 75% of her 20 students spoke English as a second language at home.

As Doolittle prepared her classroom Monday for classes that began Wednesday, there were colorful phrases in English and Spanish posted around the room, such as “Nadie es como tú y ese es tu poder” – or “No one is like you and that is your power” in English.

“I think with the community schools coordinator, we’re being intentional about how we’re integrating the community and helping the community, rather than just kind of throwing things out there and hoping something helps,” she said. “We’ve always served as a community school, but the Blueprint has improved collaboration tremendously.”

In Doolittle’s room, she has several stations for reading, art and a carpet for morning meetings next to a full-size touchscreen board. Besides recognizing letters and numbers, social skills are a key component in prekindergarten, like learning to ask for help, being able to work with others and showing patience while waiting for a teacher to acknowledge them.

Since children are 3 and 4 years old, they take daily naps, or rest time, for about an hour. The goal is to get that down to about 40 minutes near the end of the school year, Doolittle said, so students’ bodies and minds are able to handle kindergarten.

“I think pre-k is kind of this very nebulous thing. What we’re doing is very, very different,” Doolittle said. “They’re singing and dancing and learning. There’s a lot going on, but it’s fun.”

Doolittle’s advice for state lawmakers and other officials to improve the Blueprint: “Just come and visit the classroom. See what’s going on. Then you’ll see how it really works.”

‘Still learning the Blueprint’

Unlike Doolittle, Michelle Early, calls herself “a career changer.” She worked in nonprofit management, retail management and for one year at a bank before settling on teaching. She is beginning her fourth year this week as a business teacher at Frederick County’s Walkersville High School.

Michelle Early, a business teacher at Walkersville High School in Frederick County, talks about students who can write their names on the cabinets just before they graduate. Photo by William J. Ford.

“I’m still learning the Blueprint,” she said Tuesday in her classroom, where she was getting ready for the start of classes Wednesday.

But Early, who teaches students in grades nine through 12, said the Blueprint has given her students more opportunities for college and career readiness. For those who may not want to enroll in free community college courses, Early said the school offers field trips to visit local businesses. Students can also get certified in a particular industry and get a job prior or after high school graduation.

“I see the excitement level on those students faces,” Early said. “Some aren’t or don’t want to go to college, but having another option for them makes all the difference.”

One part of the law she appreciates is increasing teacher starting salaries to $60,000 by July 2026. Early said she’s fortunate to work down the street from her school, but knows of other teachers who work in the county and live in Washington County or even Pennsylvania, because they cannot afford to live in Frederick County.

“Our wages are not enough. We go beyond the 35-to-40-hour work week,” she said. “This is beneficial for educators.”

One aspect of the Blueprint she’s still trying to grasp encourages teachers to earn national board certification, which recognizes them as “accomplished,” or experts in a certain area.

Every school district in the state has at least one teacher with that designation. But the state Department of Education said in a teacher workforce report in May that slightly more than 1,200, or 74%, of Maryland teachers designated as National Board Certified were concentrated in Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

Wright: There must be ‘a conscious effort’ to grow, diversify Maryland’s teacher workforce

The report notes more than 3,000 teachers during the previous school year of 2023-24 registered to receive “fee support” to pursue the certification. Once certified, teachers are eligible for a $10,000 raise, with an additional $7,000 for those who teach at an “identified low-performing school.”

Early thinks educators who pursue continuing education should be rewarded just the same as those who seek national board certification.

“As a teacher, I can see the importance of national board certification. Michelle, the person, I don’t see that a national board certification should be more important than someone who works at [earning] a doctorate,” she said. “Shouldn’t we as educators compensate that person in an equitable manner for having achieved that doctoral status, just as we are compensating someone who’s doing national board certification?”

Lemle, the teacher’s union president, said national board certification for a teacher improves the quality of instruction in the classroom by providing teachers with “incentives to stay in the classroom instead of … becoming administrators or leaving a classroom for other positions.”

“That’s why it’s money so well spent for our kids because we’re improving teacher quality and keeping them [teachers] in the classroom,” he said.

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected]. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and X.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County Library Hosts Youth STEAM Program

August 19, 2024 by Matt LaMotte

This summer, the Easton branch of Talbot County Free Library hosted two week-long sessions of ‘STEAM’ camp for elementary and middle school students. Designed and conducted by three area high school students and funded by a grant from the Council of Friends of the Talbot County Library, the STEAM camp sessions were offered free of charge to area elementary and middle school students.

STEAM programs integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to foster a more holistic approach to education. The interdisciplinary approach encourages creativity and critical thinking, enabling students to engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving.

“In the Easton library’s STEAM camp, volunteer youth leaders Vivi Morris, Van Tran and Mia Mazzeo, who created the program, blended artistic expression with analytical skills to make learning fun,” said Easton Library Youth Coordinator Laura Powell. “The children who participated learned to collaborate across various disciplines, nurturing both their logical reasoning and creative potential.”

Starting with a traditional STEAM approach, Morris, Tran and Mazzeo adapted and designed the program to best suit the youngsters who were attending each week of camp. The first session hosted 20 six- to eight-year-olds and the second had 20 nine- to twelve-year-old attendees. Both sessions were at capacity.

Over the course of each week, the camper groups tackled a number of projects that required individual effort as well as cooperation within each camper team. Each day brought a new menu of activities – everything from tie-dyeing shirts and print-making tote bags to pass and paint or creating fruit art.

“The strategy of our STEAM program was to break the campers up into small groups so they could learn to both interact effectively with each other and apply the skills each camper had,” stated Alanna Peerman, library staff assistant. “Each table of five campers had at least one volunteer High School assisting the campers.

“The campers particularly enjoyed making slime, as well as piecing together a Hex bug maze and racing the Hex bugs, said Mia Mazzeo. Two “cooking through chemistry” exercises were the highlights of each week. “To watch each camper make ice cream by hand and cook s’mores using the sun was so much fun for all of us!” commented Van Tran.

Vivi Morris agreed. “The collaboration and teamwork was so ‘chill’,” she said. “By the end of each week, we saw a community of learners, helping each other, enjoying each other’s company, and being so excited as each group completed their activities and projects.”

Two STEAM participants, Charlotte and Emmett McGrogan, of St Michaels, loved every minute of their camp experience. Emmett, 9, attended the second session and especially enjoyed making slime. “Doing crafting stuff was my most favorite activity”, said Emmett. “I can’t wait to come back to STEAM Camp next summer!”

The McGrogans’ mom, Katie Willis, also gave the program rave reviews. “As with many full-time working parents, my kids have been in a variety of summer programs – STEAM camp, which was free of charge, was hands down one of the very best,” Willis said. “The structure of STEAM camp each week was age-appropriate, well organized, and kept my kids engaged and busy the whole time. They want to go again next year, most definitely!”

Matt LaMotte, a native of the Eastern Shore, has a diverse background. He grew up in Baltimore but spent much time in Easton and Chestertown. After college, he returned to the Mid Shore and worked in insurance and finance while raising his two sons. He then pursued a teaching and coaching career in independent schools across different states. In 2018, he chaired the History Department at Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Easton before retiring in 2021. Matt is now focused on conservation, outdoor education, and staying engaged with local and global affairs.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Bay Climate Adaptation: The TNC Guide in Finding the Money for Major Infrastructure Change

August 12, 2024 by Henley Moore

A few months ago, The Nature Conservancy released a report that could solve one of the major obstacles facing climate adaptation: finding the money to do things.

Many towns, particularly on the Eastern Shore, are facing an increasingly long list of infrastructure projects, but funding those expensive undertakings has become harder. That’s where TNC’s report, SEAFARE, could make a huge difference to those municipalities.

Through workshops with various stakeholders, including local residents, environmental justice leaders, and government officials, the report identifies barriers like complicated funding processes. It provides a toolkit to help decision-makers improve access to those dollars.

The Spy’s Dave Wheelan spoke to Human Sharif, TNC’s climate adaptation manager, to understand more.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about this report please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Maryland’s pre-K expansion plan proves to be unpopular with child care providers

August 1, 2024 by Maryland Matters

Maryland is counting on private child care providers to take part as the state expands its pre-K program — but many providers don’t plan on becoming involved.

In a survey of the state’s childcare providers conducted this spring by the Local News Network, only 12.9% of respondents said they plan to or were already involved in the pre-K program created under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s expansive education reform plan.

More than a third of the 256 respondents said they were unsure whether they will participate in the pre-K expansion — and nearly 40% said they would not participate.

Under the 10-year Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the pre-K expansion plan aims to expand pre-K enrollment to all 4-year-olds and all lower-income 3-year-olds through a “mixed delivery system” involving both public schools and private child care operations.

However, many childcare providers who responded to the survey said they are reluctant to take part in the program. Some said they would have trouble finding staff for a pre-K operation. Others said they didn’t want to get the additional education required to qualify for the program. Still, others said they didn’t want the Maryland State Department of Education to be more involved in their businesses than it already is.

Patti Smith, the director of Greenway Learning Center in Greenbelt, said she’s concerned that developmental differences between 3- and 4-year-olds would make managing a pre-K program difficult.

Asked if she would take part in the pre-K expansion, Smith said: “It’s more ‘no’ than ‘maybe,’ just for the first year because I want to see what other providers do. And I don’t have faith in MSDE. You know, I don’t think they have all the answers — so I’m not ready to be that guinea pig.”

The mixed delivery system

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which the General Assembly passed in 2021, calls for widespread changes throughout the state’s public schools.

A widespread reluctance

On top of a statewide shortage of child care providers, education officials face another significant challenge in creating that mixed delivery system. The Local News Network survey this spring found many of the remaining child care providers are either reluctant to participate in the pre-K expansion or are refusing to take part.

Several child care providers said joining the pre-K program would make a hard job even more difficult.

Blueprint blues: Local leaders cite school reform plan’s progress, problems

“I’m overwhelmed with the day-to-day operational issues,” such as staff turnover and increased operating costs, said Dana Miller of Little Smiling Faces Childcare in Mitchellville. “Having to find a qualified (pre-K) teacher would just add more issues.”

Under the Blueprint, by the 2025-26 school year, pre-K teachers will have to be state-certified in early childhood education or have a bachelor’s degree and be taking part in an alternative educators training program. Pre-K teaching assistants will be required to have an associate’s degree, whereas now they only need a high school diploma.

Those requirements automatically block some child care providers from offering pre-K.

“It’s my understanding that you have to have a bachelor’s to participate, and I do not,” said Danielle Zulauf, owner of Tiny Trailblazers Daycare in Preston.

Michele Stritch, owner and operator of Michele Stritch Family Child Care in Dundalk, said in response to the survey that she is reluctant to participate in the pre-K because she doesn’t know what it entails. She also noted her center faces financial challenges and concerns about state regulations.

“I am inclined to not participate because I do not want the state being even more involved in how I run my business,” Stritch said.

On top of all those issues, state education planners face one more challenge: The LNN survey showed the percentage of child care providers who want to take part in the pre-K program — 12.9% — is exactly the same as the percentage of those who had never heard of it.

“I would love to participate but have never heard of the program,” said Charnetta Bailey, owner and operator of Children Learning Wonders in Ellicott City.

A publicity push?

Told about the survey results, Maryland Department of Education spokesperson Raven Hill indicated better publicity is the key to making sure more child care providers decide to offer pre-K.

“MSDE continues to invite private providers to participate in Push to Pre-K webinars to increase awareness of publicly funded Pre-K and provide accurate information and support regarding Pre-K grant opportunities and requirements,” Hill said in a written response to questions.

“MSDE will continue to encourage local education agencies to engage private providers in their areas about pre-K opportunities and the pre-K grant program benefits to children and families,” she said.

In addition, the state is tweaking its grant awards program to make more child care facilities eligible for pre-K funding, Hill said.

Tiffany Jones, owner of Precious Moments Family Childcare in Rockville, said she plans on participating in the expansion program. But she said it’s difficult for many child care providers to understand the state’s pre-K effort.

“The requirements to participate in pre-K expansion are very challenging for the average family child care provider,” she said. “So while pre-K is a wonderful program, they need the spaces in family child care for the system to really work — but there are a ton of requirements for providers (that are) very difficult.”

Even so, some child care providers said they plan on taking part in the pre-K expansion because doing so is important for the survival of their business. After all, if they lose 3- and 4-year-olds to either public schools offering pre-K or to other providers, that means fewer enrollees and lower revenue.

“I feel the school is taking all of the 4-year-olds and some of the 3-year-olds,” said Laurie Arnold, owner of Laurie Arnold Home Daycare in Frederick, who plans to take part in the pre-K program. “In order to keep my numbers up, I have to adjust.”

In time, despite the fact that she said she doesn’t want to be a “guinea pig,” Patti Smith of the Greenway Learning Center may end up adjusting, too.

She said she’s taking a wait-and-see attitude toward joining the pre-K expansion and may join it eventually. But she said she’s afraid those providers who decided to take part starting this year may have a difficult confrontation with reality when the next school year starts.

“Come September, they’re going to go: ‘Oh, we don’t have enough room. We don’t have enough teachers,’” Smith said. “I do think they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.”

– Local News Network director Jerry Zremski contributed to this report.

by Capital News Service, Maryland Matters
July 31, 2024

By Audrey Keefe and Mira Beinart

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The CBMM PATRIOT’s Dynamic Duo: A Chat with Joyce and Matt Gauthier

July 19, 2024 by The Spy

For PATRIOT Capitan Matt Gauthier and his partner and wife, Joyce, the transition from a private boat service to one under the umbrella of a nonprofit museum was surprisingly effortless. While the decision was made after two years of running the sightseeing vessel under private management, both Matt and Joyce realized that under the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s management, nothing really would change since the whole point of the PATRIOT was to get people out on the water and enjoy the wonders of the Miles River.

In fact, with CBMM as its owner, the PATRIOT now sees its mission as expanding. Beyond its daily tours at 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM for its traditional historic cruises of this unique part of the Chesapeake Bay, Matt and Joyce note in their recent interview with the Spy that their new partnership with the museum’s curatorial staff and educators has significantly expanded programming as well as chartering out the PATRIOT for special events, weddings and almost any other kind of celebration.

We asked Joyce and Matt to stop by the Spy studio a few weeks ago to hear more.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. Photography by Focus Photography. For more information about the PATRIOT and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Dr. Susan Morgan Resigns from Dorchester Board of Education

June 15, 2024 by The Spy

Dr. Susan Morgan wrote to her supporters yesterday to inform them that she has resigned from the Dorchester Board of Education. This is her email:

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter.

After much thought and consultation, I have decided that I am not seeking re-election to the Board of Education. After the debacle that was on display last night at the Board of Education meeting, I don’t feel that my continued tenure on the Board would be fruitful or productive, and I will tender my resignation forthwith.

I will not engage in name calling and derogatory comments as Mr. Wheedleton, one of the (unelected members of the Board (appointed by the County Council), did last night. I encourage you to watch his statements last night on Town Hall Streams, beginning at approximately 1.42.45 into the meeting. (https://townhallstreams.com/stream.php?location_id=121&id=60877)

I wish the system well.

Susan Morgan

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Blueprint Blues: Mid-Shore and State School Leaders Cite School Reform Plan’s Progress and Problems

June 3, 2024 by Maryland Matters

Maryland public school students are approaching their summer vacations, but some school officials won’t get the same break, as they continue plugging away on the state’s huge education reform plan.

School officials from the state’s 24 districts filed updated documents last month detailing their progress on, and problems with, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

The latest filings are a follow-up to brief March reports, of a dozen pages or fewer, in which school officials responded to at least five questions and prompts from the state on the top challenges they are facing implementing the Blueprint. Those documents and the ones filed last month are on the website of the Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB).

School officials in the latest reports cited progress, but they also said they still face challenges that range from funding, to meeting diversity goals and implementing full-day prekindergarten, among others.

Many were like Harford County Superintendent Sean Bulson, a Blueprint supporter who acknowledges challenges.

In a recent interview, Bulson said the Blueprint has helped his district in several areas such as higher pre-K enrollment, youth apprenticeships and high school students taking courses at a community college, a program called dual enrollment.

But while schools receive state funding and additional resources as part of the Blueprint, Bulson and other school and county leaders have expressed concerns over a need for funding and a lack of flexibility in implementation of the plan.

For instance, Bulson said certain funding requirements could cause cuts to specialty programs and elective courses such as art and physical education.

He said one bright spot, however, has been collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), particularly Superintendent Carey Wright.

“In the last few months, we’ve seen that begin for the first time. I’m very encouraged by Dr. Wright’s work,” Bulson said. “But they [state officials] have to stay on track with that because we can do great things with this Blueprint.”

Wright said in a recent interview that she held a four-day meeting to review all 24 school district Blueprint documents, along with state education officials, local school leaders and officials with the AIB, the independent unit that oversees and approves all Blueprint plans.

The reports from each school district are based on the Blueprint’s five priorities: early childhood education, hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, preparing students for college and technical careers, providing additional resources for students in need and governance and accountability.

Wright said her staff will compile data and other information into one document including some of the challenges cited by local schools and present that report to the state Board of Education. In addition, she said state officials will provide feedback to school officials.

“It informs us if is there something else we could be doing to help facilitate that implementation. That gives us a better idea of what’s happening across the state,” Wright said.

“I think that everybody is invested in the Blueprint. I think that everybody’s trying to do the very, very best that they can to help children learn,” she said.

The Mid-Shore

Caroline

“CCPS (Caroline County Public Schools) has 7 out of 22 instructional assistant positions that meet the Blueprint requirement based on their associate degree or higher. There are 6 out of 22 instructional assistants enrolled in the CDA (Child Development Associate) cohort. These assistants should earn the endorsement by the end of the 23-24 school year. Overall, CCPS continues to face the barrier of finding certified staff or current staff that are willing and want to pursue a higher degree or CDA credential. CCPS mitigates challenges by attending more recruitment events at institutes of higher education including additional states.”

Dorchester

“We did see an increase of 3.04% in our minority professional staff. We increased our recruitment fairs to include areas as far as Mississippi. Our strategy to include a more diverse group of recruiters has paid off as we have been able to offer on-the-spot interviews and contracts for the first time. Our number of conditional teachers has decreased from 60 to 46. This is due to an aggressive approach towards meeting twice a year with these staff to monitor their efforts’ progress towards certification and/or licensure. As we acquire certified teachers, these conditional positions will be replaced, especially ones that are not making progress towards their certification.”

Kent

“KCPS (Kent County Public Schools) is committed not only to minimizing the disparity between students and teachers of diverse backgrounds but also to ensuring that school leaders represent the diversity of the student body. The MSDE data file demonstrates that over the last three years, the percentage of Black school administrators increased by 9.7% while the percentage of Hispanic school administrators decreased by 12.5%. The percentage of white school administrators has remained fairly constant, increasing by 2.8% over the past three years. Through its partnership with BSU (Bowie State University), 14 KCPS staff members are pursuing their doctorate degree in Educational Leadership through the BSU doctoral cohort.”

Queen Anne’s

“QACPS (Queen Anne’s County Public Schools) offers opportunities for the private partner to participate in all professional development offered by the district. However, attending the professional development is challenging for private providers as they do not have extra staff available to cover the care of children while they attend. The strategies to be continued in School Year 2024-2025 in order to increase the number of private partners to reach the Blueprint expectation include private providers will be invited to observe a pre-k classroom(s) to view how instruction is delivered and how the classrooms are physically arranged to support the Accreditation Standards.”

Talbot

“For FY 2025, the most significant challenge we face in implementing the necessary pay increase is a small per-pupil increase coupled with declining enrollment, which will reduce our FY 2025 Foundation Aid funding by $11,981. Thus, we do not project having additional Blueprint funding to pay for the mandated Blueprint salary increases. This coincides with the fiscal cliff (loss of COVID relief funding) which has supported many needs, including technology and coaching/mental health positions, that are now competing for resources in our FY 2025 budget along with the unfunded salary increase.”

Maryland

Allegany

“The latest New Permanent Staff Data shows no progression in diversifying leadership roles, with 98% of new staff members for the 2023-2024 school year being white, marking an increase compared to the previous two years. ACPS (Allegany County Public Schools) intends to reverse this trend by increasing marketing efforts, collaborating with organizations such as DIVERSITY in Ed, and maintaining strong partnerships with institutions of higher education such as Frostburg State University. Despite having the aforementioned strategies in place, ACPS must also consider the potential impact and resulting challenges that the Career Ladder could pose on the system’s ability to recruit and retain aspiring leaders.”

Anne Arundel

“We have seen an increase in the total number of applicants applying to positions in our county from 12,206 in the 2022-2023 hiring season to 13,744 in 2023-2024. AACPS (Anne Arundel County Public Schools) continues to use numerous strategies to recruit educators that reflect the diversity of our student population. AACPS recruiters completed 70 recruitment trips this hiring session, 20% of which were diversity-focused events at:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs);
Hispanic Serving Institutions;
community events; and
two hiring events in Puerto Rico focusing on recruiting bilingual educators to support our growing English Learner (EL) population.”

Baltimore City

“Providing specialized services and supports to students with disabilities is an area where historic inequities and underfunding have acutely impacted City Schools. While the Blueprint is bringing much needed increases in dedicated funding for special education, we will not reach full funding until 2033, and costs will continue to far exceed dedicated revenue for many years. Projected special education costs for FY25 (fiscal year) to provide City Schools’ students with disabilities with all the services to which they are entitled and deserve are around $300 million, while dedicated funding is expected to be only about $125 million.”

Baltimore County

“Teacher certifications at the elementary level do not typically require training in mathematics. This creates significant challenges for teachers (particularly in the intermediate Grades 3–5) as they plan for and execute mathematically sound lessons grounded in the rigor of the content and practice standards. To address, BCPS (Baltimore County Public Schools) plans to include a focus around Common Core domain specific capacity building of school-based math teams through intentional Professional Learning Communities; implementation of an ongoing strand of professional learning around content development for targeted standards, the Major Work of the Grade & Required Fluency standards for Grades 3, 4, and 5.”

Calvert

“As the Career Ladder is finalized and we define the characteristics (e.g., roles, responsibilities, and key attributes) of leaders across the system (including teachers), current and to-be-developed professional learning opportunities will support professionals to move through the teacher and leadership levels. Leadership development begins with hiring and recruitment (as described in the question); however, our focus is on building leaders within our system – to build an internal pipeline of leaders – rather than relying on recruitment of leaders from outside. Our strategies … include partnering with IHEs (Institutes of Higher Education), professional learning through a Next Level Leadership Academy, mentoring and leadership development, and leveraging the career ladder leadership tracks.”

Carroll

“While there has been growth in the percentage of CCPS (Carroll County Public Schools) minority teachers since 2018, a drop from October 2022 to October 2023 (4.9% to 3.4%) was reported in the October 2023 MSDE Professional Staff by Assignment, Race/Ethnicity and Gender report. The hiring of minority teachers continues to be extremely competitive due to the shortage of certificated applicants in Maryland and across the United States. All applicants for CCPS teaching positions must first and foremost provide documentation that they are eligible for Maryland teacher certification to move forward in the hiring process.”

Cecil

“Funding is a concern as we have only one elementary coach for our 17 schools and zero secondary coaches or specialists to facilitate PD (professional development). Overall, there is still no formal way for CCPS (Cecil County Public Schools) to assess a teacher’s training needs. In the 2024-2025 school year, CCPS will implement a new platform to capture professional learning opportunities. One solution for the 2024-2025 school year is to repurpose our current ‘lead teachers’ to provide PD once per month at the secondary level. The PD will be on techniques for analyzing student work in a manner that leads to better use of real-time formative data to guide instruction.”

Charles

“With the Southern Maryland Summit: Teacher Preparation Pipeline held less than a week prior to the deadline of the May 2024 Blueprint submission, CCPS (Charles County Public Schools) has already started its planning to help address the teacher shortage in the district. CCPS is also looking into pathways for educators to become licensed through new pathways established by MSDE including approved alternative programs and in-district training. CCPS is also working with Calvert and St. Mary’s to create these programs together, recognizing that the collective work of the three districts could result in sustainable change and supports leading to less workforce shortages.”

Frederick

“Another ongoing challenge is refining eligibility for accessing the DE (dual enrollment) pathway, as there is currently an incongruence in what FCC (Frederick Community College) requires and the state CCR (college and career readiness) standard. As it currently stands, some students can be eligible for credit-bearing courses at FCC without having met the CCR standard (e.g., course grades in English or math). While FCPS intends to continue allowing access to as many students as possible, funding restraints require a closer examination of when students are able to take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities.”

Garrett

“GCPS (Garrett County Public Schools) places high value on ensuring a quality administrative workforce. To meet the minimum teaching salary of $60,000 on July 1, 2026, GCPS has committed to providing a 15% increase in salary for teachers over the next three years. The GCPS Board of Education made this same commitment for the administrator unit. This is a substantial local investment that elevates the importance of quality administrators. GCPS feels that this investment will allow GCPS to remain competitive locally and ensure quality candidate pools for administrative positions.”

Harford

“HCPS (Harford County Public Schools) has a two-year plan to transition all half-day Pre-K programs to full day by 2025-2026. The Early Childhood Office worked with Facilities to assess space in each elementary school. Five of eleven half-day programs have already become full day without reducing student numbers, doubling classroom spaces. Three more programs will expand in 2024-2025, and the final three by 2025-2026. Initial funding comes from the FY 2024 local Capital Improvement Programs (CIP). Projects include adding bathrooms, modifying playgrounds, and using temporary learning cottages (portable classrooms). Schools facing space challenges are evaluating adjacent sites for expansion.”

Howard

“HCPSS (Howard County Public School System) Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) educators are in the process of being trained to implement Child Development Associate (CDA) course offerings. HCPSS has added CDA as an alternate pathway within the TAM Program of Study and it will be offered starting with SY24-25. This pathway increases the early education pipeline for future educators who may wish to work as paraprofessionals in public and private Pre-K programs. Current HCPSS paraprofessionals who wish to pursue an AA (Associate in Arts) are eligible for reimbursement of up to 24 credits at higher education institutions, including Howard Community College.”

Montgomery

“Some challenges MCPS (Montgomery County Public Schools) continues to face in serving children with disabilities include:

Lack of highly qualified staff;
Specialized transportation needs; and
Availability of classroom space throughout the county.

MCPS is committed to providing professional learning and job-embedded coaching to support staff in serving our students receiving special education services. Two curriculum coaches use a support model that provides group and individual coaching for new teachers. In addition, MCPS convenes a new special educator professional learning community, quarterly, to provide additional professional learning on topics related to implementation of specially designed instruction.”

Prince George’s

“An insufficient pool of qualified teachers, specifically Hispanic/Latino teacher candidates, continues to be a challenge for PGCPS (Prince George’s County Public Schools). Based on the PGCPS Blueprint Implementation Plan submission in March 2023, below are adjustments made to a few of the district’s current strategies to mitigate challenges and to ensure continued progress:

Transition from virtual to in-person college recruitment fairs, which host Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to identify and recruit a potential untapped pool of Hispanic/Latino student teachers.
Change of subscription from National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) in order to reach a larger candidate pool.”

St. Mary’s

“One of the major challenges SMCPS (St. Mary’s County Public Schools) has faced is the change of guidance provided by MSDE regarding the requirements of the comprehensive literacy plan. Two committee meetings were canceled as SMCPS waited for MSDE to provide feedback and share the rubric that would be used to evaluate our district’s plan. While the guidance has helped us clarify our mission and goals in writing the comprehensive literacy plan, the delay/timing of the new requirements caused frustration amongst committee members and district staff. It also increased the scope of the project and will require more time than originally planned. To mitigate this challenge, our timeline for completing the comprehensive plan has been adjusted.”

Somerset

“For the past two years we have been unsuccessful in hiring an intervention teacher at one of the high schools and at the middle school. Beyond financial and scheduling difficulties, the underlying issue is the lack of teachers with the mathematical and pedagogical knowledge to teach math. Without someone skilled and knowledgeable in mathematics, the student can become even more confused. This has been a challenge in providing intervention for students who are struggling. This year at the high school, which does not have an intervention teacher, teachers in 8th grade, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 have been trying to incorporate intervention within their courses, which has not been very successful …”

Talbot

Washington

“WCPS (Washington County Public Schools) and Hagerstown Community College (HCC) have developed a robust partnership focused on enhancing dual enrollment opportunities for students. Challenges within the partnership include addressing the needs of students who are not CCR, inconsistent messaging, and lack of established protocols. For example, systems lack guidelines on integrating students who do not meet the MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) or 3.0 GPA criteria into the dual enrollment program. To tackle these issues, WCPS has instituted an MTSS (multi-tiered system of support) support plan for students who are not CCR. To improve timely communication between stakeholders, WCPS and HCC are creating parent/student handbooks and adding additional information to both websites to ensure clarity and accessibility.”

Wicomico

“The expansion of transportation options represents a significant step forward in enhancing student access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, particularly those not available at all comprehensive high schools. Notably, efforts will focus on facilitating access to programs like Interactive Media Production, currently offered at only one school site. However, amidst this progress, a notable obstacle arises: the need to develop systems to support students who are not currently enrolled in CTE programs in accessing apprenticeship opportunities. This challenge will be addressed through collaboration with school-based career coaches, who play a pivotal role in guiding students towards career pathways.”

Worcester

“WCPS (Worcester County Public Schools) still faces challenges in forming a highly collaborative relationship with local childcare providers, due to low participation in professional development programs. Although WCPS has positive two-way communication practices in place, professional development opportunities offered by the public school are still not within reach for childcare partners. WCPS continues to offer training related to shared curriculum on weekends, evenings, and even independently paced, but lack high participation levels from childcare providers. To address this challenge, the Early Childhood Coordinator (ECC) is designing a survey to identify barriers to attendance, with results intended to inform future training opportunities. This survey will be distributed by the end of FY24, and the data obtained will be used to plan FY25 opportunities.”

BY: WILLIAM J. FORD

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Washington College Receives $15 Million for New School Focusing on Interdisciplinary Approach to Global Business

May 13, 2024 by Washington College News Service

Washington College announces largest individual donation in the College’s 242-year history.

Washington College announced today the largest individual donation in the College’s 242-year history: a $15 million gift from Elizabeth (Beth) Warehime which will enable the launch of The Warehime School of Global Business, Economics, and Social Impact — a new school aimed at fostering a unique interdisciplinary approach to business education. With the goal of transforming business education by focusing on interdisciplinary partnerships, the liberal arts, the global nature of business, and social impact, the school will foster and utilize collaborations between Washington College’s business management, economics, world languages and cultures, and international studies programs.

“This generous gift from Beth Warehime showcases the lasting impact Washington College has on its graduates. We are so thrilled to have the continued support, investment, and valued insights that Beth continues to bestow upon us,” said President Michael (Mike) Sosulski. “This new school will serve our students well as they embark on a true liberal arts education that encourages a global approach to business. I’m hopeful and excited for the great work that will certainly come from the Warehime School of Global Business, Economics, and Social Impact.”

Planning for the new school will move forward within the coming year. The idea for the school, which will focus on ethics and social responsibility, critical thinking, and real-world applications, has been in the works for some time now, however.

“The support of Beth Warehime and her family has transformed our vision for business education at Washington College,” said Caddie Putnam Rankin, business management department chair. “Her continued support allows us to envision a future where we will activate the liberal arts to transform business education through interdisciplinary partnerships and global contexts. Together we seek to inspire students to create lasting social impacts in our world.”

“I am so excited to bring this idea to life for the college; after hearing the thoughts and plans from Caddie and Micheal, I knew this absolutely had to happen,” said Warehime of her generous gift. “This business school will give Washington College a ‘big school’ offering while maintaining the interdisciplinary theme and experience that comes with a small liberal arts institution. My own experience at Washington College was incredibly interdisciplinary, and I can’t wait for others to have an even better experience within the Warehime School.”

As a 2013 graduate of Washington College, Warehime has a long history of support and innovation with her alma mater. In 2019, Warehime directed a $1 million grant to Washington College from the JHC Foundation, a Warehime family foundation. The gift established the Warehime Fund for Student Excellence in Business, which provides the department with $50,000 a year to support student research, entrepreneurship, professional networking, and other initiatives. That support includes funding student participation in professional conferences and other experiential learning activities; start-up funds for student entrepreneurial projects; and a Warehime Fellows program. Warehime became a member of the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors in 2020.

To learn more about the business management program and other degrees available through Washington College visit washcoll.edu.

About Washington College

Washington College, Maryland’s premier small college, enrolls approximately 1,000 undergraduates from more than 39 states and territories and 23 nations. Washington is known for outstanding academics in more than 50 academic programs. With an emphasis on experiential learning opportunities across the disciplines, ranging from internships and research to international study and civic engagement, Washington prepares students for successful careers and lives after graduation. The College is home to nationally recognized centers of excellence in the environment, history, and writing as well as the 5,000-acre river and field campus which provides unique research opportunities for students and faculty. Learn more at www.washcoll.edu.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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