Engagement-Report-Final-Spread - Flipbook - Page 34
WHAT WE
LEARNED SO FAR
Marylanders across our state have conveyed a strong commitment and enduring support for public education. When asked
how important the quality of Maryland’s public schools are to the success of the state, an overwhelming majority have said
that it is extremely important. A strong majority have a positive view of Maryland public schools’ performance. At the same
time, a diverse array of stakeholders have stressed key areas for improvement, the unmet challenges exacerbated by the
COVID-19 pandemic, and urgency about the need to transform educational experiences for all students at scale, especially
those who have been historically underserved.
Ensuring high-quality reading and writing learning experiences in the early grades was a top priority among all stakeholder
groups who completed the strategic planning survey. This reflects the critical importance that all Maryland students are
proficient in reading by the end of third grade, and those who are not have the necessary supports to become proficient.
Additionally, stakeholder groups, including teachers and school leaders, prioritized developing excellent teachers and
recognizing and rewarding the best teachers among their top five priorities.
Furthermore, in addition to survey responses, in-depth dialogues fostered by round tables highlighted meaningful nuances
in the views and aspirations of Marylanders across our state. Black/African American respondents emphasized resources
such as access to advanced course work and pathways, and high-quality teachers for underserved communities in their most
frequently cited priorities. Participants in our educator round tables stressed the urgency of addressing representation gaps
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ENGAGEMENT REPORT - PHASE 1