Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Every Student Succeeds Act: Mathematics Assessment Request

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is requesting a waiver from specific statutory and regulatory requirements established under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). Specifically, Maryland is requesting a waiver from the following federal statutory and regulatory requirements that: “the assessments...be the same academic assessments used to measure the achievement of all public elementary and secondary school students in the State”; and "that the assessment be the same assessment used to measure the achievement of all students.” This waiver, if granted, would allow each Maryland middle school student, regardless of grade-level, who is enrolled in an advanced mathematics course (Algebra I, Algebra II, or Geometry) to take the end of course assessment commensurate with their course of study instead of a grade specific mathematics assessment. For federal accountability purposes, the State will use the results of the advanced, high school level mathematics assessment in the year in which the assessment is administered and will administer one or more additional advanced, high level, mathematics assessments to such students in high school, consistent with the State’s mathematics content standards, and use the results in high school accountability.

This communication serves as notice of MSDE’s intent to submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) of the statutory requirements related to the mathematics assessment of ESSA section 1111(b)(2)(B)(i)(I) and the corresponding regulatory requirements. It is also an invitation for the public to provide feedback on the proposed waiver request. Please submit your comments by December 4, 2024, via email to doss.msde@maryland.gov. Copies of all public comments received will be included as part of the waiver request submission to USDE. More information is included in the link below.

• Mathematics Assessment Waiver Request
  

Every Student Succeeds Act: Request to Amend Maryland’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan - Select Portions Related to Title I, Part A and Title I, Part B

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is requesting permission to amend Maryland’s Consolidated State Plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). Specifically, Maryland requests permission to make the following changes:

• Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) Methodology - MSDE has revised its TSI identification methodology to include all required indicators.

• Establishment of Long-Term Goals - The four-year and five-year cohort graduation rates in Maryland’s Consolidated State Plan were first established and approved by the State Board of Education in 2011. These graduation rates have since expired and a new set of long-term and annual measurements of interim progress was determined in accountability year 2021-2022. The revised long-term goals timeline extends to 2031-2032.

• Annual Meaningful Differentiation - Maryland’s accountability system does not presently include schools that have no grades assessed (e.g., preschool – grade 2 schools). The State has updated its system of annual meaningful differentiation to include these schools by pairing each with a school within the same local education agency (LEA) that does have grades assessed.

This communication serves as notice of MSDE’s intent to submit a request to the United States Department of Education to amend Maryland’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan to bring the plan into compliance with the law as it relates to Title I, Part A and Title I, Part B. It is also an invitation for the public to provide feedback on the proposed waiver request. Please submit your comments by December 4, 2024, via email to doss.msde@maryland.gov. Copies of all public comments received will be included as part of the amendment request submission to USDE. More information is included in the link below.

• Request to Amend Maryland’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan
  

Waiver Request for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 Federal Programs

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is submitting a request to the United States Department of Education for a Tydings waiver for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022 for the following federal programs: Title I, Part A Basic Grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs), 1003(a) School Improvement, Title I, Part C Migrant Education, Title I, Part D Neglected and Delinquent Programs, Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction, Title IV Part A Student Support and Academic Achievement, and Title IV Part B, Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs. If the waiver is approved, FFY 2022 funding for the grant programs will be extended from September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

Prior to submitting a waiver request for any program authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act, the State must provide the public and local education agencies (LEAs) with notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment and provide input on a proposed waiver request. Copies of all public comments received will be included as part of the waiver request submission.

• Title I Part A Posting

• Title II Part A Posting

• Title IV Part A Posting

• Title IV Part B Posting

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law on December 10, 2015. The U.S. Department of Education approved Maryland's ESSA plan on January 16, 2018. The plan sets into place improvement targets for schools and systems, and outlines assistance programs for schools not meeting the grade. Maryland developed its ESSA plan after unprecedented outreach to citizens across the State.

Request for Tydings waivers for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020:

Title IV, Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant (SSAE)

Title IV, Part B Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Grant Program

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan Final

Maryland revised its Consolidated State Plan to amend the Annual Measurable Objectives based on 2016-2017 performance data. The amendment was approved on August 30, 2018.

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan
(Revised to amend the exit criteria for English Language Learners; the amendment was approved on May 23, 2018

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan
(Revised January 10, 2018)

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan
(Revised December 27, 2017)

Maryland Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan
(Submitted September 18, 2017)

U.S. Department of Education's Site
for Maryland's ESSA Plan

Contact:

Mary L. Gable
Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Student Support and Federal Programs
Office: (410) 767-0472
mary.gable@maryland.gov