The Board of Education continues to examine how the district is working to improve student achievement, particularly in literacy. This week, the Board discussed the ways we support diverse learners in our schools. The Board also received an update on how the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being put into action and approved policy amendments.
Enhancing Literacy for All: Supporting Diverse Learners in Our Schools
Strong reading and writing skills are crucial for success in all subjects. Emergent Multilingual Learners and students who receive special education services have unique learning needs. It is important to support these students to ensure fairness and improve their academic outcomes. Recent data on literacy performance highlights the need for targeted strategies to help close opportunity gaps among these groups.
Professional Learning Supports Student Success
Why: District-level professional learning equips general education teachers and leaders with skills and knowledge necessary to meet the diverse needs of these students. When we invest in teacher development, our students benefit from improved learning experiences.
How: MCPS is training teachers in key areas like personalized learning, culturally responsive teaching, and inclusive practices. Educators apply this learning in ways that meet the specific needs of Emergent Multilingual Learners and students receiving special education services.
Strategies to Support Diverse Learners
Why: By providing essential resources and support, we can help students in special groups improve their language skills, reading comprehension, and overall academic performance.
How: MCPS educators use various teaching strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners. These strategies include suggestions for partner or small group activities, extra practice for those who need it, and methods to check understanding based on each student’s level of English proficiency.
Continuous Improvement is a Process
Why: Students’ learning needs, teacher skills, and effective teaching methods are always evolving.
How: MCPS regularly checks on progress and keeps families informed. This ongoing process helps us respond to students’ needs and improve our methods, ensuring that all learners can achieve academic success.
This conversation supports the Board’s promise to hold MCPS accountable for improving student achievement, especially in literacy. It also highlights the Board’s focus on ongoing improvement, which involves regularly checking progress, assessing results, and making thoughtful changes as needed.
We encourage you to watch the presentation to learn more about how we are supporting diverse learners in our schools.
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District On Track for Blueprint Implementation
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is designed to make big improvements in education throughout the state. MCPS staff updated the Board, saying that the district is on track or doing better than expected with the changes.
Key milestones achieved in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, include:
- 260 new full-day prekindergarten seats added in 2023-24
- 268 high school students graduated with both a high school diploma and an associate degree from Montgomery College
- $62,588 starting salary for teachers as of the 2024-25 school year
- 19 community schools added in 2024-25, bringing the total number to 53
The Board believes in the goals outlined in the Blueprint and supports the district’s efforts to fully put it into action. There are real challenges to making this happen, such as funding, infrastructure, and capacity issues. To help the district move forward, the Board identified some of these challenges in its 2025 Legislative Platform.
Learn more about how the Blueprint is taking shape in MCPS by watching the presentation.
Approved Policy Amendments Provide Clarity and Specificity
The Board approved the Policy Committee’s recommended amendments to Policy ACF, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment of Students. Technical amendments were needed to comply with federal law. The changes update terms, reflect organizational changes, and provide clarity and specificity.
Review the amendments in this document (pdf) and watch the discussion for more information.
Upcoming Meetings
- October 22, Tuesday – Business Meeting
Visit our webpage to view agendas, meeting materials, and watch live or recordings.
Opportunities for Engagement
The public is encouraged to engage with the Board. Learn about the ways to participate on our website.