MSDE Education Bulletin, July 11, 2016

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     July 11, 2016                | MSDE Home | Newsroom | MDReportcard.org | School Improvement |

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES BALTIMORE P-TECH SCHOOLS

Governor Larry Hogan, joined by State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon and other dignitaries, last month announced that Carver-Vocational Technical High School and Dunbar High School have been chosen as sites for new Pathways in Technology Early College high schools, more commonly known as P-TECH schools, in Baltimore City. Both sites are scheduled to be open for the 2016-2017 school year.

Governor Hogan and Dr. Salmon discussed the importance of P-TECH at last month’s announcement at Carver.

Also on hand were Stanley Litow, president of the IBM International Foundation; Baltimore City Schools Acting CEO Tammy Turner; Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels; and University of Maryland, Baltimore President Dr. Jay Perman.


"Our administration is committed to thinking outside the box, and advocating for innovative solutions to ensure that every single child has the opportunity to get a world-class education, regardless of what neighborhood they happen to grow up in," said Governor Hogan. "With the announcement of Maryland's first two P-TECH sites, students in Baltimore City will have the chance to gain in-demand skills that employers need for the 21st-century workforce, and employers here in Maryland will gain a steady pipeline to skilled professionals."

The P-TECH education model, co-developed by IBM, is an innovative, nationally recognized approach that blends high school, college, and work experience into one educational program. In six years or less, students graduate with a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree in a STEM career field at no additional cost. These students will also benefit from career experience and mentorship in the workplace and will be first in line for skilled jobs upon graduation through partnerships with private sector participants. Each P-TECH school works with industry partners and a local community college to provide a curriculum that is academically rigorous and economically relevant.

P-TECH Carver and P-TECH Dunbar are set to open for the 2016-2017 school year through a collaboration with the Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Community College, and industry leaders. IBM will partner with P-TECH Carver (with a degree focus in cybersecurity and information technology [IT]), while Johns Hopkins University, Kaiser Permanente, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore will serve as the industry partners for P-TECH Dunbar (with a degree focus in health IT). Both sites were chosen by the Baltimore City school system, and each will receive $100,000 in grant funding from the state.

"The P-TECH program embodies the goal of Maryland education: to graduate students prepared for both additional education and the job market," said Dr. Salmon. "Baltimore P-TECH graduates will have cutting-edge opportunities in the 21st-century workplace, or have the option to move on to a college or university. P-TECH provides students with great choices."

In addition to P-TECH Carver and P-TECH Dunbar, four P-TECH planning grants have been awarded to launch additional schools in other parts of the state.

For more information about P-TECH schools, please visit www.ptech.org. For more information on Maryland’s Career and Technology Education programs, please visit www.mdcteprograms.org.


MARYLAND LEADS NATION IN ‘FARM TO SUMMER’

More Maryland school districts purchase local foods for summer nutrition programs than any other state in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that’s great news for local children.

The USDA’s recently released Farm to School Census has placed a spotlight on Maryland’s success.  Nationally, 22 percent of districts participating in Farm to School purchase local foods for their summer programs.  Maryland is at the head of the class, with 59 percent of participating school districts buying local food during the summer.

Maryland summers produce rich agricultural abundance and school districts take advantage of the fresh, local offerings by serving them in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).  The SFSP is a USDA program that combats childhood hunger by reimbursing agencies for meals served to children during the summer.

“Summer can be a difficult time for children who rely on school meals.  Without access to nutritious food, many of our students experience hunger and the subsequent negative health and learning effects,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “Incorporating local foods into the summer nutrition programs not only supports Maryland agriculture, but also enhances the healthfulness of the meals children receive.”

Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder shared his appreciation for Maryland schools: "I commend the school systems for buying Maryland-grown products throughout the school year,” he said. “The Summer Food Service Program offers an additional opportunity for schools and other providers to incorporate products grown by Maryland farmers into summer meals. Children who otherwise may not have the opportunity to experience biting into a fresh local juicy peach or eating a slice of local watermelon can now have a chance if they participate in the Program."

In addition to offering local foods, some SFSP agencies have begun serving summer meals at farmers’ markets across the State.  Anne Arundel County Public Schools, for example, has partnered with the County Health Department and Shlagel Farms to operate a pop-up market at one of their existing SFSP sites, Brooklyn Park Middle School.

The SFSP is open to children and teens age 18 and under and to individuals over 18 who are mentally or physically disabled. To locate a summer meals site, visit www.mdsummermeals.org.  To learn more about Maryland’s Farm to School Program, visit http://mda.maryland.gov/farm_to_school/Pages/farm_to_school.aspx


A Few Words from State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen B. Salmon

Acting State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen B. Salmon

 

State Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Karen B. Salmon


Local public school system superintendents serve as the backbone of public education in our State.  Maryland is fortunate to have a wonderful set of leaders serving as superintendents, and it was my great pleasure to join the Maryland State Board of Education last month in honoring one of the best: Allegany County’s Dr. David Cox, recently named Maryland Superintendent of the Year for 2016.

Dr. Cox has served as Allegany County’s superintendent since 2009, having been appointed to a second term in 2013.  He’s led the system through many changes, including the design, planning, and construction of the new Allegany High School, which is set to open its doors in 2018.  Throughout his tenure, he has emphasized student achievement.  Last year, Allegany County’s graduation rate rose to a record 92 percent.

Dr. Cox came to Maryland from Virginia, where he’d previously served as Superintendent of the Culpeper County Public Schools and the Pulaski County Public Schools.  We’re pleased he made the move to Maryland!

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Summer is well underway, but the learning doesn’t end.  One terrific program offered to students for the past 49 years is the Maryland Summer Centers Program for Gifted and Talented Students.  The program provides summer educational opportunities for Maryland’s gifted and talented students. The program, coordinated through the Maryland State Department of Education, in partnership with public and nonpublic agencies, provides Maryland’s diverse gifted and talented student population with advanced, rigorous, experiential learning opportunities that nurture these students’ talents and abilities within unique learning environments.

This year’s Summer Centers program began earlier this month and continues through mid-August.  Centers on the performing arts, creative writing, engineering, space science, environmental science, and world languages are scheduled.

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Video Highlights


Mathematics: Early Childhood, Kent County

Mathematics: Early Childhood, Kent County

Mathematical Practices Today! Spotlight on Early Childhood in Kent County, Maryland


Maryland Artistry in Teaching Institute

Maryland Artistry in Teaching Institute

Art teachers, and educators across the state gather in summer sessions to renew their commitment; refresh their creativity. Here's one such session of the Maryland Artistry in Teaching Institute, from Hagerstown.


Calendar

July 26 - Maryland State Board of Education Meeting, Baltimore

August 5-6 - Maryland PTA Convention, Silver Spring

August 17-20 - Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference, Ocean City


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