Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education

Since Fall 2016, the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education has convened a series of meetings to reimagine the Maryland public education system. Comprised of elected officials, educators, and academics from across the state, the Kirwan Commission released an interim report in January 2019. Immediate legislative recommendations were outlined in the interim report and were later adopted into the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education package passed during the 2019 General Assembly Session.

The Blueprint goals:

Set instruction and skills to international standards to enable Maryland students to compete in the global 21st century economy;
Establish high quality early childhood educational opportunities to enable student success through college and career; and
Eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps so every Maryland child can fulfil their academic potential.

This $850 million dollar Blueprint package calls for sustained support and coordination across fivetopics the Kirwan Commission considered in-depth:

Full Day Pre-Kindergarten for 3 and 4 year olds and supports for families;
Increased teacher training rigor, staff diversity and compensation competitiveness;
College and Career Readiness (CCR) standards set to guarantee success in the first year of a community college program or open enrollment four-year institutions as well as Career and Technology Education pathways that lead to an industry recognized credential;
Additional resources and supports fo schools with high concentrations of poverty, students with disabilities and English language learners to meet the CCR standards; and
Accountability measures to ensure that all school systems are able to implement the Blueprint.

Concentration of Poverty Grants

In FY 2020, the Blueprint creates concentration of poverty grants for schools to employ a heath care practioner and community schools coordinator. Elibible schools have at least 80 percent of their student population receiving free/reduced school meals.

Updating State School Funding Formula

In fall 2019, the Kirwan Commission will recommend school funding formulas based on committee work throughout the summer.

Stephanie supports:

a finalized funding formula that uses a racial and economic equity lens to ensure high need systems like Baltimore City are properly funded.

Authority

Friends of Stephanie Smith | Authority: Raymond Card, Treasurer