State officials lay out new college-and-career readiness standard and plan to expand dual-enrollment pathways

Maryland education officials presented the state’s revised college-and-career readiness (CCR) standard and dual-enrollment trends at the State Board meeting. The CCR standard adopted in 2024 provides two options: (1) a GPA threshold (3.0) combined with math mastery (A/B/C in Algebra I or Algebra I proficiency), or (2) proficiency on grade 10 ELA and Algebra I MCAP. MSDE explained that a GPA option increases the number of students who meet CCR relative to assessment-only routes.

To broaden the ways students can demonstrate readiness, MSDE is adding alternative assessment pathways and career/college pathway demonstrations. The expanded model includes: assessment-based equivalencies (SAT/PSAT/ACT/alternative assessments), a one‑year GPA recovery path coupled with a high‑school math pass, CTE credentials and registered apprenticeship completions, dual‑enrollment college course success (transcripted credit), and AP/IB success. MSDE projects it will collect baseline data on these expanded measures through 2026–28 and return with reporting on completers and subgroup outcomes.

On dual enrollment, MSDE reported participation among high‑school completers increased from 23.1% in 2022 to 28.3% in 2025. However, subgroup rates lag: students with disabilities (~7.4%), multilingual learners (~6.3%), and economically disadvantaged students (~19.7%) have lower participation. Board members asked for LEA‑level breakdowns and recommended MSDE track which models (concurrent enrollment, transcripted credit, early college) drive greater equity. MSDE’s Dual Enrollment Working Group — led by MSDE, the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Accountability and Implementation Board — will prioritize logistics, course alignment, quality/ access, transfer/credit recognition, and state data alignment.

What’s next: MSDE will return to the board with LEA‑level breakdowns, timeline proposals for periodic review, and additional reporting as the new CCR measures and dual-enrollment data mature.