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September 2, 2014
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| MSDE Home | Newsroom | MDReportcard.org | School Improvement | | |
Welcome back to school, educators and students. Some of us may be more excited than others about the prospect of the new school year, but we can all agree that it is important. * * * Maryland has the nation's best teachers, so choosing the seven finalists for 2014-2015 Maryland Teacher of the Year had to be a very difficult task. But what an outstanding group of educators!
* * * Somerset County Public Schools last week became the first public school system in the State to implement the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) district-wide in School Year 2014-15. I was excited to join Somerset Superintendent John Gaddis at Somerset Intermediate School in an event last week announcing this exciting program. For more information on CEP, contact Bruce Schenkel, Program Specialist in the Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs, at bruce.schenkel@maryland.gov or (410) 767-0225. * * * Connect with MSDE on Facebook!
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In the News Commentary: Back to School and Winning the Future Dr. Charlene Dukes Starts Third Term as Maryland State Board President Editorial: Failing Grades for Bus Safety Editorial: Setting Reasonable Goals for Students Having trouble viewing this email? Click here for a PDF version of the MSDE September 2, 2014 Education Bulletin. If you would prefer not to receive future Newsletters from us, simply click here, and insert in the subject line, Unsubscribe. |
MARYLAND SCHOOLS OPEN FOR THE 2014-15 ACADEMIC YEAR With the opening of the Worcester County Public Schools today, all 24 Maryland public school systems have reopened for the 2014-2015 school year.
More than 860,000 K-12 students are filling classrooms across the State and another 250,000 children are involved in some form of pre-kindergarten, Head Start, or licensed childcare program. “In Maryland, we've made the better choice to invest in our schools and in our children. Together, working with students, parents, teachers and school officials all over our great State, we've built one of the highest ranking public school systems in the nation,” said Gov. Martin O'Malley. “As students return to campus this fall, Maryland schools stand ready to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in our 21st century global economy." Schools are beginning the second full year of implementation of the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards. Also, this Spring will bring the first full administration of the new PARCC state assessments, which are online tests aligned to the State standards. “Maryland is committed to preparing world-class students with more rigorous standards, meaningful assessment and continuous support for educators,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery. “Our students are preparing to meet the needs of local employers and to compete in the global marketplace. They deserve an education that prepares them for college and career-training opportunities without the need for remediation.” Among the headlines for the new school year:
Enrollment in Maryland public schools has been on a steady rise for the past five years. After reaching a high point of 869,113 students in 2004, enrollment fell to 843,861 by 2009. Since then it has rebounded, reaching 866,169 students last school year – the State’s highest enrollment level since its record setting year of 2004. Maryland’s student population also has experienced major changes over the past decade. Maryland has educated a majority-minority student population for several years. White students represent nearly 41 percent of the student population, followed by African American students, who make up 35 percent of the student population. Both the White and African American student populations have been in decline as a percentage of the student body in recent years. Hispanic students represent 14 percent of the student body, while Asian students account for approximately six percent. Percentages of Hispanic and Asian students have been steadily rising. Also increasing is the percentage of students identifying themselves as two or more races. This accounts for nearly about 4 percent of Maryland students. Also increasing in the State’s schools is the percentage of students coming from circumstances of poverty. Last year, for example, 50.4 percent of Maryland elementary students were eligible for free- or reduced-price meals, the federal proxy for poverty. Ten years earlier that tally stood at 37.1 percent – a dramatic increase over the decade. More information on the opening of Maryland schools can be found here: http://marylandpublicschools.org/press/08_14_2014_a.html
Maryland schools have been at the forefront in the drive to strengthen safety for student athletes, and additional efforts are underway. The Medical Advisory Committee for the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), established in the past year, joined the Maryland State Board of Education last week to discuss its ongoing work to educate coaches, parents, and students. With more than 110,000 students participating in interscholastic athletics in the past year alone, education is an ongoing concern. Maryland in recent years has established new guidelines designed to reduce brain injuries and heat-related injuries, and has placed various limitations on practices. One area of concern continues to be how to best protect student athletes from injuries caused by overuse of muscles and joints. This is especially true for students choosing to play a single sport year around, according to Dr. Yvette Rooks, a sports medicine expert at the University of Maryland Medical Center and chair of the advisory committee. Board member James DeGraffenreidt said the issue goes well beyond the high school practices fields, as students are involved in club sports, AAU teams, and more. “You are asking the hard questions,” he told the panel. Board President Charlene Dukes said the work of the Medical Advisory Committee will become increasingly critical as Maryland continues to search for ways to keep children safe. “I know this dialog is not finished,” Dr. Dukes said. “We’ll be inviting you back.” |
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