State board approves statewide literacy expert instructional support team
November 09, 2023 | Maryland Department of Education, School Boards, Maryland
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The Maryland State Board of Education on Tuesday approved a joint proposal from the Maryland State Department of Education and the Accountability and Implementation Board to launch a statewide literacy expert instructional support team.
Dr. Collins outlined the initiative as "a statewide literacy expert instructional support team model that will be comprised of literacy experts who will really assess structural plans and practices in early literacy," and said the teams will focus on classroom practice as well as district and school planning. She said the review is intended to be supportive rather than punitive: "it's not evaluative ... it is strictly some good feedback," she said.
The model calls for hiring approximately 10 literacy experts who will work in pairs to visit schools; MSDE staff said the teams will visit 50 schools in the initial year and aim to engage all 24 local education agencies over time. Funding for the work will be drawn from remaining Blueprint for Maryland's Future allocations identified by MSDE for this purpose.
Miss McCusker moved the motion to approve the joint proposal; Dr. Goldson seconded. The board took a voice vote with several members saying "Aye" and the chair announcing the motion carried. The transcript records the approval by voice but does not include a roll-call tally.
MSDE presenters said the initiative will assess implementation of the "science of reading" practices, provide direct assistance tailored to local needs, and inform development of a statewide literacy framework. Officials framed the effort as aligned with existing state literacy laws and programs and intended to help ensure students are on track for grade-level reading.
The board did not set a detailed timeline for every LEA visit beyond the first-year sampling of schools; MSDE said it will collaborate with local districts to determine specific school sites and provide follow-up as recommendations are implemented.
The board moved on to the next agenda item after approving the literacy support team, and asked staff to circulate materials and accept additional stakeholder input.
Next steps: MSDE will begin recruitment of the expert team and coordinate site selection with local districts; the board will receive updates on implementation as the initiative proceeds.
Dr. Collins outlined the initiative as "a statewide literacy expert instructional support team model that will be comprised of literacy experts who will really assess structural plans and practices in early literacy," and said the teams will focus on classroom practice as well as district and school planning. She said the review is intended to be supportive rather than punitive: "it's not evaluative ... it is strictly some good feedback," she said.
The model calls for hiring approximately 10 literacy experts who will work in pairs to visit schools; MSDE staff said the teams will visit 50 schools in the initial year and aim to engage all 24 local education agencies over time. Funding for the work will be drawn from remaining Blueprint for Maryland's Future allocations identified by MSDE for this purpose.
Miss McCusker moved the motion to approve the joint proposal; Dr. Goldson seconded. The board took a voice vote with several members saying "Aye" and the chair announcing the motion carried. The transcript records the approval by voice but does not include a roll-call tally.
MSDE presenters said the initiative will assess implementation of the "science of reading" practices, provide direct assistance tailored to local needs, and inform development of a statewide literacy framework. Officials framed the effort as aligned with existing state literacy laws and programs and intended to help ensure students are on track for grade-level reading.
The board did not set a detailed timeline for every LEA visit beyond the first-year sampling of schools; MSDE said it will collaborate with local districts to determine specific school sites and provide follow-up as recommendations are implemented.
The board moved on to the next agenda item after approving the literacy support team, and asked staff to circulate materials and accept additional stakeholder input.
Next steps: MSDE will begin recruitment of the expert team and coordinate site selection with local districts; the board will receive updates on implementation as the initiative proceeds.
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