MSDE-2024-2025-AnnualReport-FA-SPRD - Flipbook - Page 24
PILLAR 4
More Resources for all
Students to be Successful
Strengthening wraparound services and targeted
support for historically underserved students
Pillar 4 focuses on closing deeply entrenched opportunity and achievement gaps to ensure that
all students, from advanced learners to those who are struggling and have been historically
underserved, receive the necessary support to reach their full potential. This Pillar calls for
increases in funding for student groups such as multilingual learner students and for students in
schools with concentrated poverty, expansion of community schools and wraparound services, and
improving education for students with disabilities.
Community schools provide wraparound services for students and families based on speci昀椀c needs. Maryland
has emerged as a national leader in supporting community schools, adding 103 in fall 2023 and another 167 the
following year. There are now 617 community schools in 23 school systems where at least 55% of students come
from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In FY26, MSDE projects there will be over 700 community
schools - over 50% of all schools in the state.
Over the past 18 months, the Blueprint Special Education Workgroup has convened 15 times to thoroughly
evaluate the services, instruction, and funding allocated for students with disabilities. This diverse workgroup
comprises public school educators and administrators, higher education faculty, legislators, advocates, parents,
and special education experts. A comprehensive 昀椀nal report detailing recommendations, activities, and
implementation is scheduled for release in May 2025.
22
Continuing the Work of the Blueprint
