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A new bill in Maryland could revolutionize school safety by requiring every school to have an airway-clearance device, ensuring no child is left at risk in emergencies.

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#MD #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #DisabilityInclusion #HealthAccess
Supporters urge schools to carry airway‑clearance devices after choking deaths; bill would require one per school
HB 117 would require each Maryland school to have at least one airway‑clearance device and authorized staff; disability advocates and manufacturers said devices are a low‑cost, noninvasive backup when the Heimlich fails, while delegates asked about training, device lifespan and legal protections.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 8:13 AM
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Maryland's House Bill 14 aims to standardize the reporting of hate-bias incidents in schools, ensuring transparency and targeted support for affected communities.

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#MD #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal #EducationTransparency #CommunityAccountability #HateBiasData
Bill would require school systems to post disaggregated hate‑bias incident counts online
HB 14 would require Maryland school systems to publish raw counts of hate/bias incidents by targeted victim groups on their websites; sponsors and organizations including ADL and Jewish community councils said disaggregation helps direct resources, while delegates asked for uniform reporting standards and privacy protections.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 8:12 AM
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A new bill in Maryland aims to close a dangerous legal loophole that has allowed school resource officers to evade prosecution for inappropriate conduct with students, even if they are over 18.

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#MD #EducationReform #PublicSafety #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal
Panel supports bill closing loophole to prosecute school resource officers who abuse students
Senate Bill 81 would make clear that school resource officers (SROs) who engage in sexual conduct with students enrolled at their assigned school can be criminally prosecuted even if the student is 18. Prosecutors, law‑enforcement and survivor advocates described a recent local case that exposed the statutory gap and asked the committee to advance the measure.
citizenportal.ai
January 31, 2026 at 5:03 PM
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Maryland's school facilities are deteriorating at an alarming rate, with construction costs soaring and a staggering $73 billion needed for replacements.

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#MD #ConstructionCosts #EducationFunding #DecarbonizationInitiatives #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal
IAC tells Appropriations Committee Maryland schools face widening funding shortfall as construction costs surge
IAC officials told the Appropriations Committee that Maryland’s school facilities are aging and that construction costs have far outpaced funding, leaving a multi‑hundred‑million dollar gap. The IAC urged more capital investment, better preventive maintenance, and said decarbonization and pre‑K needs will raise long‑term costs.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 5:54 PM
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So true, Dr. Moats! Teachers are doing such complicated, important work! We are grateful!

#Literacy #Education #ScienceOfReading #MarylandSchools #LiteracyMatters
Quote: "Informed teachers are our best insurance against reading failure." from Dr. Louisa Moats
January 29, 2026 at 11:17 PM
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A dedicated speech-language services supervisor is crucial for protecting the communication needs of over 12,000 students—removing this role could jeopardize their legally mandated support.

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#MD #EducationReform #HealthServices #PublicSafety #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal
Speech-language pathologists warn MCPS reorganization would weaken legally mandated services
An MCPS speech-language pathologist told the board that eliminating the stand-alone speech and language services supervisor would undermine clinical leadership and jeopardize services for more than 12,000 students who receive speech-language services.
citizenportal.ai
January 17, 2026 at 5:57 AM
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PGCPS is making strides in sustainability and health with solar panels and school-based clinics, all while gearing up for exciting construction milestones ahead!

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#MD #CommunityEngagement #ClimateAction #PublicHealth #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal
PGCPS updates P3 school construction, solar projects and on-campus clinics
OAIPD reported progress on P3-built schools: solar panels are being installed on six phase-1 campuses, school-based clinics will be operated by Children's National, and phase-2 construction is advancing with several schools on track for major milestones in early 2026; OAIPD said a requested ownership consent will be considered by the steering committee in January.
citizenportal.ai
January 17, 2026 at 1:04 AM
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The school board is set to reshape the future of social media use and cell-phone access in classrooms—could these changes enhance student focus and interaction?

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#MD #CommunityEngagement #EducationReform #MarylandSchools #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal
Board begins review of social‑media policy update and discusses cell‑phone restrictions
At first read the board posted revised social‑media policy language for public comment and discussed pursuing a community survey and possible pilot to limit student cell‑phone access during school hours, including options such as phased middle‑school implementation or secure carts.
citizenportal.ai
January 15, 2026 at 11:09 PM
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Queen Anne's County Schools received important notice letters from the state's Accountability and Implementation Board, but they're not in danger of losing funding for FY26!

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#MD #FundingTransparency #StudentAchievement #EducationAccountability #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal
Queen Anne's County Schools get AIB notice letters after small MCAP declines; district not at risk for FY26 funding
Superintendent Dr. Kibler told the board the Accountability and Implementation Board will issue three notice letters — one about FY25 school‑funding accounting and two about MCAP score trends — but the district received no funding warning for FY26.
citizenportal.ai
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 PM
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Parents and students are demanding a complete overhaul of Southern High School, calling $65 million in renovations a mere "Band Aid" for serious safety and health concerns!

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#MD #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety #MarylandSchools #CommunityHealth
Parents, staff and students urge board to replace aging Southern High School, not just renovate
Multiple speakers at the Anne Arundel County Board of Education public hearing urged the board to pursue a full replacement of Southern High School rather than incremental renovations, citing structural age, mold and inadequate facilities and pointing to a proposed $7.5 million FY27 renovation line and '50 plus million' needed thereafter.
citizenportal.ai
January 14, 2026 at 8:44 PM
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Montgomery County Public Schools is revolutionizing summer learning in 2026 with expanded in-person classes and the launch of the innovative Ignite Middle School Academy to boost student success!

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#MD #EducationReform #SummerLearning #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal
MCPS expands in‑person summer school, launches 'Ignite' middle‑school academy and seeks board approval of tuition plan
MCPS proposed a larger in‑person summer program for 2026 — six regional high‑school sites, limited virtual options for three courses, and a new Ignite Middle School Academy — emphasizing stronger in‑person outcomes, transportation and meals, and sliding fee waivers.
citizenportal.ai
January 9, 2026 at 3:07 AM
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Prince George's County Public Schools reports impressive early literacy gains with a 98% participation rate in DIBELS testing and a notable increase in reading and math benchmarks!

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#MD #TutoringInitiatives #EducationReform #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal #LiteracyGains
PGCPS reports early literacy gains, expands Amplify tutoring and adopts automated scoring for benchmarks
At a Dec. 15 Academic Achievement Committee meeting, Prince George's County Public Schools officials reported a 98% DIBELS participation rate and preliminary Benchmark 1 gains (≈+5 points in reading and math), outlined Amplify virtual tutoring in 30 schools, and said Pearson automated scoring was used for reading constructed responses.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 12:06 PM
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Montgomery County Public Schools is tackling math proficiency with ambitious goals and targeted interventions, but are they on the right track?

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#MD #EducationReform #StudentSupports #MarylandSchools #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation
MCPS strategic planning committee presses for realistic math targets, expands interventions
Montgomery County Public Schools staff outlined baseline math proficiency and quarter 1 trends and proposed phased, equity-centered target setting. Board members pressed for evidence, student counts, an intervention RFP, and broader family supports including IXL; no vote was taken.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 11:50 PM
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Prince George’s County Public Schools is revolutionizing education by expanding dual-enrollment opportunities, allowing high school students to earn college credits tuition-free!

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#MD #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #TuitionAccess #MarylandSchools #EducationReform
PGCPS expands dual enrollment in high schools; district highlights participation and teacher vetting
Prince George’s County Public Schools said Nov. 13 it is expanding dual-enrollment courses into additional high schools, aiming to offer 'dual in the school' at at least nine campuses this school year.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 10:19 AM
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Concerns are mounting at Tuscarora High as community members demand better curriculum engagement, sustainability for student groups, and urgent safety measures for hazardous drop-off conditions.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #CurriculumReform #MediaLiteracy #MarylandSchools #StudentSafety
Committee hears student-group sustainability, curriculum and safety concerns at community corner
Members urged stronger curriculum-review participation, proposed making SOCA/Soka an extracurricular for sustainability, proposed media-literacy/AI curriculum, and raised safety concerns about student drop-off at Tuscarora High; staff said some issues had been raised with law enforcement and school administration.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 9:21 AM
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Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Dyson reveals how Frederick County Public Schools is tackling staffing challenges and equity initiatives while navigating tight budget constraints.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #BudgetSustainability #StaffingStrategies #EducationEquity #MarylandSchools
Superintendent Dyson tells committee FCPS is prioritizing staffing and equity amid funding uncertainty
Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Dyson told the committee FCPS retains about 94% of staff, is pursuing 'grow-your-own' pipelines, and is budgeting toward a $60,000 starting salary by July 1, 2026, while warning potential cuts to Title grants could force difficult tradeoffs for multilingual learners and other programs.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 6:55 AM
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Prince George’s County Public Schools faces a staggering $157 million decline in their fund balance, leaving them dangerously below the recommended financial reserve threshold.

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#MD #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #FinancialResilience #EducationFunding #MarylandSchools
PGCPS fund balance fell $157 million in FY25 to $216.7 million; district below GFOA two-month reserve standard
CFO Lisa Howe and budget director Javonne Smith told the committee that FY25 ended with a $157 million decline in fund balance (from about $373 million to $216.7 million), leaving the district with less than one month of operating reserves versus the GFOA recommendation of two months.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 6:39 AM
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Maryland schools are set to welcome more therapists as new regulations pave the way for those with interstate licenses to join the workforce!

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#MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #MarylandSchools #EducationReform
Board OKs permission to publish COMAR change allowing some interstate therapist licenses in schools
The Professional Standards for Teacher Education Board voted to permit publication of COMAR 13.08.12.04.10, allowing certain therapists to work in Maryland schools if they hold a Maryland license or a compact/reciprocity-based privilege. The vote was unanimous with no abstentions recorded.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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A new policy on immigration enforcement in Maryland schools aims to protect student privacy while ensuring minimal disruption to learning.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #StudentPrivacy #EducationPolicy #MarylandSchools #ImmigrationEnforcement
Board reviews draft immigration-enforcement policy following new state law
Staff presented a draft JIHA policy to comply with new state law requiring local boards to adopt immigration-enforcement procedures; the policy would mirror existing police-on-campus protocols and was sent out for public comment ahead of a December action item.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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A concerned parent is pushing for policies to protect students after a local sports article led to online harassment of a minor who missed a penalty kick.

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#MD #MediaEthics #PublicAwareness #MarylandSchools #StudentProtection #LocalGovAI
Parent urges FCPS to press local media after student singled out in sports story
A parent told the policy committee that a Frederick News-Post sports story that singled out a student who missed a penalty kick led to online harassment and a persistent search-result association for the student. The parent asked whether the district could require conditions for media access to school events or use an MOU to protect minors; staff
citizenportal.ai
November 7, 2025 at 8:47 PM
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CCPS is ramping up efforts to boost early literacy and math proficiency with $2.8M in targeted interventions, but can recent first-graders catch up?

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#MD #CitizenPortal #LiteracyInterventions #MarylandSchools #MathProfiency #EducationReform
CCPS outlines I‑Ready trends, Title I tutoring and pre‑K expansion; community schools braid $2.8M for interventions
Chief of Teaching & Learning Kevin Lowndes and Title I/community‑schools staff reported I‑Ready results showing cohort gains across grades and described targeted interventions: about $1.3M allocated to Title I staff and ~30 degreed tutors, 95 small‑group math interventions and community‑schools investments of roughly $1.4M for staff and wraparound,
citizenportal.ai
November 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM
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Frederick County Public Schools is set to revise its gender-identity policy, encouraging staff to respect students' preferred pronouns while addressing potential harassment from repeated misgendering.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #GenderIdentity #BullyingPrevention #MarylandSchools
FCPS committee refines gender-identity policy ahead of board first reading
The Frederick County Public Schools policy committee said it will present revisions to Policy 443 at the board's first reading that encourage — but do not compel — staff to use students' preferred pronouns and explicitly tie repeated misgendering to the district's bullying and harassment rules. Members cited recent court decisions and noted the U.S
citizenportal.ai
November 7, 2025 at 6:54 AM
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The State Board's new proposed rules could reshape how local school boards conduct official business, mandating in-person meetings and clearer public comment policies.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #EducationPolicy #MarylandSchools #TransparencyInGovernance
State proposes COMAR rules requiring local boards to hold in‑person regular meetings and publish public‑comment procedures
After recent controversy about remote or closed sessions, the State Board voted to publish amendments to COMAR requiring local boards to hold in‑person regular meetings (with limited exceptions), permit hybrid participation by members when a quorum is in person, and adopt published policies for public comment; Maryland Association of Boards of Ed.(
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 8:59 AM
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The latest Maryland Report Card reveals a rise in star ratings for schools, yet deep disparities persist for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #AccountabilityReform #EducationEquity #MarylandSchools #DiversityInEducation
Maryland report card: more schools earn 4–5 stars; gaps remain for multilingual learners and students with disabilities
MSDE released the 2024–25 Maryland report card showing 43% of schools earned four or five stars (up from 41%); middle schools showed the greatest gains. MSDE cautioned that disparities persist for multilingual learners, economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 8:57 AM
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PGCPS is charging ahead with solar power, with five middle schools set to go live in just a few months—could this be the start of a greener future for education?

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#MD #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityInitiatives #ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy #MarylandSchools
PGCPS: six Phase 1 P3 school solar installs near energization; district plans RFP after market RFI
Program manager Sheila Stevens reported photo and schedule updates for five of six Phase 1 P3 middle-school solar installations, with multiple schools expecting energization between December and February. The district also extended a public RFI to Oct. 20 to capture market changes and will use responses to draft a formal RFP and an on-call vendor"
citizenportal.ai
November 1, 2025 at 11:36 PM