The Report Card • Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Welcome back to The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter. We're less than a week away from Blueprint Day 2023, and we hope you've already made plans to joins us. RSVP here.   ⏱️ LEGISLATIVE MINUTE This week, as part of our Black History Month-centered Legislator Spotlights, we're lifting up The Honorable Madam Speaker, Delegate Adrienne Jones. Speaker Jones represents District 10, which includes parts of Baltimore County. Speaker Jones is the first Black speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and also the first woman ..read more

The Report Card • Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Welcome back to The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter. Although it does not always feel like the moral arc of the universe is bending toward justice, on Monday, we celebrated the life, work, and struggles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If you didn't get a chance to see that post, you can read it here. Today we’re continuing that reflection on justice and highlighting some new leaders in the Maryland General Assembly; keeping you updated on what’s going on in Annapolis.   ⏱️ LEGISLATIVE MINUTE This week, we're shining o ..read more

The Tour for Maryland's Future returns this summer and we're coming to YOUR community to learn together about the issues that matter to the people in your district. We're going to be criss-crossing the state all summer to connect with parents, students, educators, and small business owners who want to see Maryland's public education leading the nation with World Class Schools in every community. There's still lots to be done to prepare for the Tour for Maryland's Future – and you can help. Click here to take our quick survey to let us know more about when you'll be able to participate with us ..read more

The Report Card • Tuesday, April 11, 2023 On Monday, the 2023 Legislative Session concluded with Sine Die, which, translated roughly from latin means "No New Laws" –– a sentiment which should not be confused for DJ Khaled and Drake's seminal 2014 hit "No New Friends," (in fact, you should keep making new friends, regardless of what rappers tell you to do). Today, we're finishing our rap-up wrap-up of the work that happened in 2023, and soon, we'll put a bow on that report and release it to you, the anxious public! Be sure to keep an eye on our facebook, instagram, and twitter feeds for our 202 ..read more

The Report Card • Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Welcome to Week 12 of The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter. The Budget Conference Committee of the General Assembly is finalizing the budget for Fiscal Year 2024. Maryland deserves the Best Budget for public schools – this includes matching or exceeding the House of Delegates' recommendation for $900 million in Public Education funding and supporting Governor Moore's phase out of the BOOST voucher program by not spending an additional $2 million in public dollars on private schools. Take action! Let lawmakers and Governo ..read more

Earlier this month, Shamoyia Gardiner won the 2023 Karabelle Pizzigati Spirit Award, presented at the annual Pizzigati Lecture. We are intensely proud to call Professor Brandi Slaughter a partner in the work to co-create World Class Schools for every student in Maryland. Learn more: https://spp.umd.edu/news/maryland-secretary-health-delivers-keynote-annual-karabelle-pizzigati-lecture-urging-enhanced?fbclid=IwAR0HzMMLMM1zP0ua_QCMFe-edkm25m6_-fVZCWsqStQtA0R_ljlrMSfMpxY ..read more

Download the full statement below ..read more

The Report Card • Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Welcome to Week 10 of The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter. Welcome to Week 10 of The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter. We made some updates to the 2023 Blueprint Reporting Progress Reports (you can see the updates here). Relatedly, your School District’s implementation plan was due this morning at midnight –– have the legislators from your delegation seen the report cards yet? Take action and tell your lawmakers to read them by going here.   ⏱️ LEGISLATIVE MINUTE This week, we're shining o ..read more

Strong Schools Maryland is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Shamoyia Gardiner, was recently announced as a 5th round awardee of the Black Voices for Black Justice Fund! The Black Voices for Black Justice (BVBJ) Fund was established to amplify clarion voices about racial justice; connect new and established Black leaders to one another; and support Black-led efforts to build meaningful economic and political power for their communities in the context of police brutality and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic along racial lines – including disparities in access to healthca ..read more

The Report Card • Wednesday, February 22, 2023 Welcome back to The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter. Session is really starting to heat up, and we're proud to already have victories for Maryland students as HB 359 received and unfavorable report from the Ways & Means Committee. Click here to read some of the media coverage of #BlueprintDay and ,click here to tweet about it. And, in case you missed it, here's a Washington Post report of Maryland's updated student poverty numbers –– which should serve as a sobering reminder of why it is so critical that we keep ..read more