Education

I am a firm believer in public schools. Not only are they a place for children to be educated and to grow, but they are the center of a community. 

District 16 has wonderful schools. But we also have our challenges. MCPS is the largest school system in Maryland - the 14th largest in the country - and we are growing by 2,500 students a year. MCPS has a large number of FARMS (31.5%) and ESOL (14.2%) students, as well as 11.7%  of our students receiving special education services. Along with the rest of the D16 team, I will continue to support our public schools.

Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act  (HB 504)(2025) reforms the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (2021) education plan. 

* It preserves funding for community schools and students from low-wealth families, those in special education, and those in classes for non-English speakers 

* It makes targeted investments in teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development

County School Board Member Anti-Bias Training Act  (SB 293/HB 324) (Senator Feldman/Delegate Korman)(2025) expands anti-bias, including anti-Semitism, training requirements to county school board members

Youth-Centric Technology and Social Media Resource Guide (HB 1316/SB 8970(Delegate Wolek/Senator Love) (2025) would create a youth-centric electronic technology and social media product guide that parents and others can use to make better informed choices about children, pre-teens, and teen’s use of technology (This bill was vetoed by Governor Moore)

The Freedom to Read Act (SB 738/HB 785)(2024) states the policy of the State of Maryland with respect to library materials, and sets up a process by which school systems must review challenged books

Blueprint 2.0 (HB 1372)(2021). After a year of distance-learning due to COVID-19 school closures, a growing number of students fell further behind. The Blueprint Revision bill: provided more support to address learning loss; expanded behavioral and mental health resources; closed the digital divide with more access to broadband and devices; and required better reporting and data tracking for more accountability.

Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) - Funding (HB 1) (2021). While the State has increased operating and capital funding to the HBCUs over the past decade, additional investment was needed to increase the availability of new and distinct programming to attract more students to HBCUs. HB 1 provided $577M to settle a decade-long lawsuit and level the playing field for all students – regardless of their background, race, or the college they attend.

Support Special Education Schools (SB 958/HB 1365) (Senator Zucker/Delegate Korman)(2021) increases funding for Nonpublic Special Education Schools – schools that provide special education for public-school-funded children who cannot receive an appropriate education in public school. 

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future (HB 1300) (2020). The Blueprint is a transformational education plan based on five pillars:

·  Expanding full-day early education for low-income 3 and 4 year olds.

·  Hiring and keeping high-quality, diverse teachers by paying teachers a salary comparable to other fields, providing more rigorous teacher preparation programs and implementing career ladders.

·  Raising the standards for college and career readiness so students can compete with their international peers.

·  Providing more resources for the students who need them most.

·  Implementing an accountability board to monitor progress and ensure tax-payer funds are being used effectively.

The Built to Learn Act of 2020 (HB 1) is the largest one-time school construction investment in Maryland history.