State board accepts $6.85 million literacy partnership; approves $350,000 from partnership fund to administer training
May 21, 2024 | Maryland Department of Education, School Boards, Maryland
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The Maryland State Board of Education on Monday heard details of a philanthropic literacy partnership and approved a related administrative allocation. State Superintendent Dr. Mohammed Chérif Wright announced a $6,850,000 multi‑year partnership with the nonprofit IBIS Group to give Maryland educators access to a Science of Reading micro‑credential developed with SUNY New Paltz and the AIM Institute.
"Through this grant, we are able to provide access to a science of reading micro credential to over 30,000 Maryland educators, administrators, and paraprofessionals free of charge starting July 1," Dr. Wright said, adding that Johns Hopkins University would lead an impact study to evaluate outcomes.
Dr. Jeanette Smith, executive director for literacy programs, described the micro‑credential as roughly 35 hours of instruction that teachers may complete over several months and said MSDE will also provide leadership pathways through the AIM Institute for administrators and secondary literacy coursework aimed at adolescent literacy.
Board members pressed for details on participant selection, research methodology and supports for paraprofessionals. MSDE said it would coordinate with local education agencies (LEAs) to prioritize teachers most in need and align the offering with local professional learning and induction efforts.
Before the department can commit departmental staff time and administrative support, Dr. Wright requested approval to use $350,000 credited to the Public Education Partnership Fund for program administration. The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the use of the $350,000 unanimously.
Christian Tallure, MSDE fiscal staff, explained that the Public Education Partnership Fund receives gifts and donations to MSDE and requires board appropriation for spending; the department said signatures on final grant paperwork were in the final stages.
MSDE officials said the partnership is meant to be curriculum‑agnostic and noted continuing work with LEAs to ensure the training is integrated into district professional learning so educators can access it during contracted time where possible.
"Through this grant, we are able to provide access to a science of reading micro credential to over 30,000 Maryland educators, administrators, and paraprofessionals free of charge starting July 1," Dr. Wright said, adding that Johns Hopkins University would lead an impact study to evaluate outcomes.
Dr. Jeanette Smith, executive director for literacy programs, described the micro‑credential as roughly 35 hours of instruction that teachers may complete over several months and said MSDE will also provide leadership pathways through the AIM Institute for administrators and secondary literacy coursework aimed at adolescent literacy.
Board members pressed for details on participant selection, research methodology and supports for paraprofessionals. MSDE said it would coordinate with local education agencies (LEAs) to prioritize teachers most in need and align the offering with local professional learning and induction efforts.
Before the department can commit departmental staff time and administrative support, Dr. Wright requested approval to use $350,000 credited to the Public Education Partnership Fund for program administration. The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the use of the $350,000 unanimously.
Christian Tallure, MSDE fiscal staff, explained that the Public Education Partnership Fund receives gifts and donations to MSDE and requires board appropriation for spending; the department said signatures on final grant paperwork were in the final stages.
MSDE officials said the partnership is meant to be curriculum‑agnostic and noted continuing work with LEAs to ensure the training is integrated into district professional learning so educators can access it during contracted time where possible.
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