2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 5 - Financing › Subtitle 4 - Accountability and Implementation Board › Section 5-404 - Comprehensive Implementation Plan of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future -- Guidelines for Adopting Entities -- Submission of Implementation Plans -- Board Review -- Public Website -- Implementation Coordinator

(a)    (1)    The Board shall develop a Comprehensive Implementation Plan to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, considering any input provided by interested stakeholders in the State.
(2)    The Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall include a timeline for implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future with key milestones to be achieved by each State or local government unit required to implement an element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future for each year of the implementation period.
(3)    The Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall include the intended outcomes that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will achieve.
(4)    (i)    The Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall be adopted by the Board no later than December 1, 2022.
(ii)    Any changes to the Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall be adopted by the Board no later than August 1 of each year.
(b)    (1)    The Board shall adopt guidelines for entities required to submit and carry out implementation plans under this section that include establishing a maximum page length, including appendices, for implementation plans.
(2)    State and local government units responsible for implementing an element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future shall develop implementation plans consistent with the Comprehensive Implementation Plan that describe the goals, objectives, and strategies that will be used to improve student achievement and meet the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future recommendations for each segment of the student population.
(3)    (i)    On or before September 1, 2022, the Department shall develop criteria to be used to recommend approval or disapproval of local school system implementation plans and release of funds under this subtitle.
(ii)    The criteria shall be submitted for approval to the Board.
(c)    (1)    (i)    1.    Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, each unit responsible for developing an implementation plan under this section shall submit the plan to the Board for approval on or before March 15, 2023.
2.    The Juvenile Services Education Program Superintendent shall submit the plan to the Board for approval on or before June 15, 2023.
(ii)    Each local school system shall submit a copy of its plan to the Department for review and a recommendation of approval or disapproval.
(2)    Governmental units shall submit implementation plans on elements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future under this subsection, including:
(i)    Plans from each local school system to implement each element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including how to:
1.    Adapt curriculum, instruction, and the organization of the school day to enable more students to achieve college and career readiness by the end of 10th grade, to provide students with needed services including community–partnered behavioral health services if appropriate, and to identify students who are falling behind and develop a plan to get them back on track;
2.    Close student achievement gaps listed under § 5–408(a)(2)(i) of this subtitle within the local school system;
3.    Avoid the disproportionate placement of students with particular racial, ethnic, linguistic, economic, or disability status characteristics with novice teachers or teachers providing instruction in fields in which they lack expertise; and
4.    Use additional funds for teacher collaborative time in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article prioritized based on availability of a sufficient number of high–quality teachers;
(ii)    The joint plan of the Department and the Maryland Higher Education Commission for teacher preparation and training that meets the requirements under Title 6 of this article;
(iii)    A plan from the Department for the expansion and coordination of Judy Centers under § 5–230 of this title and a plan for the expansion of community–based family support centers under Title 9.5, Subtitle 10 of this article;
(iv)    The Department’s plan for selection, assembly, and deployment of expert review teams under § 5–411 of this subtitle;
(v)    The Department’s plan for implementing the teacher career ladder and training Maryland teachers, school leaders, and administrators under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article;
(vi)    The Career and Technical Education Committee plan for developing rigorous CTE pathways under § 21–207 of this article;
(vii)    Plans from each local school system on proposed memoranda of understanding for prekindergarten in accordance with § 7–1A–05 of this article;
(viii)    A plan from the Juvenile Services Education Program Superintendent on the proposed education of juveniles under Title 9, Subtitle 6 of the Human Services Article; and
(ix)    Any other implementation plans the Board determines are necessary.
(3)    An implementation plan submitted to the Board for approval under this section shall be:
(i)    Consistent with the developed guidelines and, if applicable, the approved criteria under subsection (b) of this section; and
(ii)    Concise and focused on the measures taken and the measures to be taken to implement and achieve the Blueprint’s goals.
(4)    A responsible government unit shall amend the implementation plan until it is approved by the Board.
(d)    The Board shall:
(1)    Review and approve implementation plans submitted under subsection (c) of this section;
(2)    Monitor the implementation of approved plans and work in partnership with the relevant agencies to:
(i)    Disseminate information on best practices, programs, and resources;
(ii)    Provide technical assistance and training;
(iii)    Resolve implementation issues as they arise; and
(iv)    Promote interagency efforts to:
1.    Achieve the purposes of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; and
2.    Reduce the effects of societal and economic isolation on student achievement and opportunity by promoting socioeconomic diversity in communities and schools;
(3)    Receive periodic updates, in accordance with the Board’s guidelines, on progress responsible entities are making towards reaching the implementation plan goals; and
(4)    Request any information the Board determines is necessary to carry out its obligations from an entity responsible for carrying out the implementation plans under this section.
(e)    A governmental unit responsible for developing and carrying out an implementation plan shall provide:
(1)    Periodic updates, when requested by the Board, on its progress towards meeting the implementation plan goals; and
(2)    Any information the Board requests.
(f)    The Board shall maintain a public website on which is published:
(1)    The Comprehensive Implementation Plan;
(2)    The Department’s criteria, developed under subsection (b)(3) of this section;
(3)    Proposed implementation plans, submitted under subsection (c) of this section; and
(4)    Implementation plans approved by the Board under subsection (d) of this section.
(g)    A unit of State government required to implement an element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future shall, before adopting regulations relating to the Blueprint, consult with the Board.
(h)    For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, the governing body of a county and the local school system jointly shall appoint a single implementation coordinator responsible for the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future by all government units operating in the county.