Maryland education leaders present Blueprint strategic plan; students press for more career-pathway classes, apprenticeships

State education leaders presented the Maryland Department of Education’s strategic plan phases 1 and 2 at a virtual student roundtable and asked students for feedback on how to make the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future translate into classroom opportunities.

State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury framed the strategic plan as the department’s roadmap for using the Blueprint law’s funding over the next decade. "We're in something called the blueprint era," he told the roundtable, noting the state is "putting in 3 plus, almost $4,000,000,000 over the next 10 years" and that the plan will align mission, priorities and measures to make sure the money "lands in the right places." Choudhury said phases 1 and 2 are released (phase 1 in October 2022; phase 2 in February 2023) and that phase 3, which will contain final strategies and flagship programs, is scheduled for summer 2023.

Why it matters: the Blueprint law reorders funding and expectations statewide and MSDE says the strategic plan will set priorities, enablers and metrics so districts and the Accountability Implementation Board can be held to results. Choudhury highlighted core priorities—kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, on‑track high‑school progress toward a 10th‑grade college-and-career readiness standard, and graduating students who are college- and career-ready—and said enablers include a stronger teacher pipeline, mental‑health supports and family engagement.

Students who took part in the roundtable prioritized Priority 4—college and career readiness—and told officials they want concrete, earlier and better‑publicized opportunities to prepare for work and postsecondary education. "I think it should be required, not just an option," said one student who described a college-and-career readiness class that taught practical skills such as filling out applications, writing resumes and paying taxes. Other students described limited access to specialized programs in rural and lower‑wealth counties, worry about college debt and difficulty finding scholarships and internships.

Students and apprenticeship participants recommended expanding hands‑on opportunities and making existing options easier to find. "Apprenticeships and internships are a great way to prepare students to be successful," said a youth apprentice who described interview and training requirements that boosted readiness for work. Several students urged that career centers and exposure to registered apprenticeships begin earlier than 11th grade and that districts make apprenticeship and scholarship information more visible.

Officials gave specifics on proposed workforce supports in the plan: the Blueprint phases in a career ladder and aims to raise starting teacher pay to $60,000 (phased, targeted by 2026) and to provide added compensation for National Board certification and for teachers in low‑performing schools. MSDE reported engagement to date—more than 28 roundtables (now over 30), roughly 400 participants in engagement events and nearly 30,000 survey responses—with a department goal of 50,000 survey respondents before finalizing the plan.

What happens next: MSDE plans to hold charrettes—focused design sessions—to refine program choices for phase 3 and to publish further materials online. Participants were asked to complete MSDE’s strategic‑planning survey and MSDE said district blueprint plans submitted March 15 are under department review. The agency posted the draft materials and survey at strategicplan.marylandpublicschools.org.

The roundtable concluded with the department thanking students for their input and urging continued engagement as MSDE moves from planning to program design and implementation.