Blueprint For Maryland's Future Final Report Released

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — County officials and educational leaders updated the community about their progress made toward implementing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and released their final report generated by Howard County's Blueprint Resources Planning Workgroup.

"Since the passage of the Blueprint, Howard County Public School’s total budget has grown from $862 million in fiscal year 2020 to approximately $1.15 billion in fiscal year 2025. In the two preceding years alone, we have been able to exceed maintenance of effort levels by more than $116 million. Through this important work, we continue to dismantle silos, improve collaboration among educational entities and establish a coordinated strategy to successfully achieve the Blueprint goals," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2020. The legislation was the result of a five-year commission, the Kirwan Commission, with the goal of increasing investments and transforming education in the state into a "superior education system," leaders said.

The Blueprint focuses on five Pillars to elevate and enhance the quality of public education in Maryland.

Pillar 1 of the Blueprint outlines needed expansions to early childhood education in Maryland.

Pillar 2 of the Blueprint sets goals for teacher recruitment and retention.

Pillar 3 of the Blueprint promotes college and career readiness for students to prepare them for the workforce after they graduate.

Pillar 4 directs additional resources to ensure that all students are successful in our schools, especially student populations who need support the most.

Pillar 5 establishes oversight measures for the State Accountability & Implementation Board and Maryland State Department of Education, as well as reporting requirements for HCPSS.

"I am tremendously grateful to County Executive Calvin Ball and our several school system partners to identify strategies to find and implement the critical components contained in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. To realize the success our students deserve, implementing a reform of this magnitude requires focus, stakeholder engagement, a commitment to collaborative problem solving and a lot of creativity and hard work. There is a lot we have already collectively accomplished and much more we will do as we consider and fulfill the unique needs of each Howard County student and staff member," said Howard County Public School System Superintendent Bill Barnes.