MSDE and Counties Report Maryland LEADS Progress on Grow‑Your‑Own and Science of Reading

MSDE and representatives from Allegheny County and Prince George’s County Public Schools updated the State Board on Maryland LEADS implementation during the March 1 meeting, describing grant‑funded efforts aimed at growing the teacher pipeline and expanding evidence‑based reading instruction.

MSDE staff said Maryland LEADS funds—drawn from ESSER set‑aside dollars—support seven high‑leverage, evidence‑based strategies. The department told the board that 23 local education agencies have implemented "grow your own" initiatives with a combined investment of more than $47,000,000 (state funds plus local matches), while 22 jurisdictions have committed more than $53,000,000 toward Science of Reading training, materials and progress monitoring.

Allegheny County described a dual‑enrollment teacher education program with Allegheny College of Maryland and partnerships with Frostburg State to credential current staff in high‑need areas (special education, math, science, CTE). Kim Kobal, Allegheny’s chief academic officer, said the district had 34 teachers enrolled in coursework during fall/winter and had recruited juniors and seniors for a dual‑enrollment pathway.

Prince George’s County officials outlined a wraparound Grow Your Own program developed with Notre Dame of Maryland University that enrolled 40 staff members in an asynchronous certificate/bachelor pathway and emphasized supports—coaching, laptops, paid assessments—to help staff complete credentialing. The district also reported widespread Letters (Science of Reading) training; Dr. Judith White said Prince George’s has trained hundreds of educators and rolled out Lexia Core5 and DIBELS screening to track progress.

Board members asked about parent outreach, transferability of dual‑enrollment credits and long‑term sustainability beyond grant funding. County presenters said dual credits can transfer to out‑of‑state institutions, districts are planning sustainability through local budgeting and partnerships, and agencies will continue cohort training to embed practice.

MSDE asked the board to consider supporting the original statewide Educator Shortage Act concept (as introduced by the Governor) if legislative changes weaken provisions for an interstate compact and other pipeline elements; several board members signaled support for pressing lawmakers to retain stronger pipeline provisions.