The Blueprint Quarterly
February 2024
Blueprint Reflections and Updates
Hello! My name is Dr. Sarah Sirgo and I am the Chief of Staff and Blueprint Implementation Coordinator for FCPS! Welcome to the 2nd issue of The Blueprint Quarterly--a communciation tool dedicated to providing our students, staff, families, and community members up to date information about the Frederick County Public Schools Blueprint implementation. We have been busy at work over the last quarter, and this issue takes a closer look at what we have been pursuing. Included is information on:
- The new Maryland College and Career Readiness (CCR) standards adopted in January 2024.
- The recent Joint Steering Committee meeting in January 2024 between FCPS and Frederick Community College (FCC) staff.
- Our first expert review team (ERT) site visit on January 24 and 25 at Lingaore High School.
- A presentation by the FCPS Recruitment team at the AIB Pillar 2 Subcomittee February 13th on our "Grow Your Own" efforts.
- Release of the Phase 2, Part 1 draft plan for public reactions and thoughts.
- Blueprint Unlocked Podcast- Four episodes focused on early childhood, accountability/governance, college and career readiness, and career and technical education.
Thank you for taking time to read on and hear more about the tremendous efforts of our team!
Phase 2 Implementation Plan Preview
On March 15, 2024, all school systems in Maryland will be required to submit their Phase 2 Blueprint Implementation Plans covering the next 3 years, 2024 through 2027. Part 1 of the Blueprint Phase 2 plan requires school systems to answer five (5) key questions on on systemwide Implementation:
■ How are the district’s vision, goals, and strategic plan aligned to the Blueprint?
■ How is the district communicating its goals and plans with those implementing the Blueprint in
the district?
■ How is the district making systemic changes to support ongoing Blueprint implementation?
■ What are the three greatest challenges to Blueprint implementation in the district?
■ How will progress be monitored when addressing those challenges?
Please click this link Draft Phase 2, Part 1 Blueprint Plan to review our draft Phase 2, Part 1 plan. Reactions and comments on the draft can be sent to BlueprintComments@fcpsmd.org
Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB)
The AIB's monthly meeting was held Thursday, February 15. The meeting notes are linked here, for your review. The Pillar 1 Advisory Committee and the Outcome Measures Workgroup provided updates of ongoing work.
The AIB is an independent unit of the Maryland State government created by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future law to ensure successful implementation of the Blueprint. The AIB is governed by a seven-member Board supported by an executive director and staff.
The AIB is charged with monitoring progress on the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, reporting annually on progress, and recommending any legislative changes that are needed to achieve the intended results. This involves:
- Collecting, compiling and analyzing numerous data, including disaggregated data on student performance and the diversity and quality of teachers both in schools and in the pipeline to become teachers.
- Disseminate information on best practices, programs, and resources
- Provide technical assistance and training
- Resolve implementation issues as they arise, and
- Promote interagency efforts.
- Review and monitor the use of funds allocated to State and local government agencies for Blueprint implementation
More information about the Blueprint AIB’s charge, responsibilities, and governance is available at www.aib.maryland.gov
AIB CTE Committee Visit
Career and Technology Center and Frederick High School Identified
The CTE Committee, from the AIB, has asked FCPS to be a pilot site for the expert review team to "practice" a CTE visit before they officially begin required site visits to other districts next year. Representatives from the AIB, CTE Committee, and other MSDE staff will visit our Career and Technology Center and Frederick High School to tour classrooms, meet CTE students and staff and participate in small group discussions. This is a unique opportunity for FCPS to set the bar high for other CTE programs in the state. We hope to have them join us in the near future!
FCPS Blueprint Steering Committee
Meeting Highlights
Our Blueprint Steering Committee has had three meetings so far this academic year--9/13/23, 11/7/23 and 2/7/24. Highlights from our recent meeting are noted below:
February 7, 2024
- Update on each pillars current work
- Phase 2, Part 1 Draft Plan Review
- Expert Review Team Site Visit Reflections
- Comprehensive Literacy Plan Submission
Outside of formal steering committee meetings, Dr. Sirgo provides regular updates to all members through email and each pillar holds regular meetings with their stakeholder group.
To see a comprehensive list of our steering committee and subcommitte members, please click FCPS Blueprint Steering Committee Member List
Expert Review Team (ERT) Site Visit
Linganore High School Hosts 1st Visit
The Expert Review Team program provides opportunities for educational experts to assist schools to improve the implementation of Blueprint initiatives with a focus on student outcomes and developing recommendations to enhance student success.
On January 24th and 25th, members of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Expert Review Team convened at Linganore High School to see how our Blueprint work has come to life in our classrooms. The visit included observing instruction and meeting with students, staff, and parents in focus groups to learn more about their experiences. Following the visit, the ERT staff, along with MSDE experts, will debrief the visit and provide FCPS with a report of their findings. The report will provide valuable insights into areas of success and consideration as we bring the Blueprint goals to life.
To learn more about Expert Review Teams and their role in the Blueprint, click the link below
FCPS Presents on Grow Your Own Efforts
Pillar 2 AIB Subcommittee
On February 13, 2024, Mrs. April Vierra, FCPS Recruitment Specialist and Mrs. Toya Piermarini, FCPS Recruiter, presented on the status of our "Grow Your Own" initiatives. A full list of the programs, approaches, and our return on investment may be found in the summary tabloid linked here.
Systemic Improvement Teams for Blueprint Implementation
The charge of the system improvement teams is to:
- Review each pillar’s implementation plan.
- Evaluate schedules, human resources, curriculum resources, and school structures and processes that best support Blueprint implementation recommendations.
- Consider adjustments to enhance the organizational culture of achievement in schools, upgrade the student and staff experience, maximize safety and well being, and align to Blueprint implementation.
To accomplish this work, there are three teams; elementary, middle, and high, meet quarterly to recommend strategies and actions to support the aforementioned charge.
Systemic School Improvement Team and School Staff Engagement Meeting #2
The second meeting of the Systemic Improvement Team was held on January 5, 2024.
Leveled teams will meet quarterly to recommend strategies and actions to support the charge. Teams will ensure schedules, staffing plans, and processes are strategically aligned to address Blueprint ideals and system goals. These groups will work to synthesize the work of each of the separate Blueprint Pillar teams. They will be charged with ensuring cohesion in systemic planning.
This second meeting focused on the notion of the 60/40 schedule, which is a component of the Blueprint that notes 60% of a teacher’s working time (duty day) is spent. Of the remaining 40% of a teacher’s time should be spent:
(i) Improving instruction;
(ii) Identifying, working with, and tutoring students who need additional help;
(iii) Working with the most challenging students;
(iv) Working with students living in concentrated poverty; and
(v) Leading or participating in professional learning
This meeting prioritized discussion and innovation as leveled groups worked to define timeline and expectations in the Blueprint for 60/40 and review and discuss FCPS options for meeting the 60/40 expectations in the Blueprint.
The next meeting will be at the time of this publication on February 29, 2024.
Committee Member Spotlight
Dr. Kristine Pearl, CTE Supervisor
The daughter of educators, Kristine Pearl found her calling in a circuitous way. As a Walkersville High School graduate, her parents encouraged her to follow her heart. So she earned a Bachelor's in Mass Communications/Public Relations from Towson in 1983 and a Masters in Business Administration from Frostburg in 1994. As a PTA President, and strong advocate for ensuring that all students have the educational resources needed to be successful, her children's principal asked her to consider earning teacher certification. As a mother of three sons, she realized that her heart had taken her in a different direction, so she went back to school to earn teaching certification in Business and Technology Education. Kristine started her career with FCPS at Walkersville Middle In 1999 as a Tech Ed teacher. Three years later she moved to Walkersville High School where she became Department Chair, earned National Board Certification and completed Hood's Ed Leadership Program earning Admin. 1 and 2. She was hired as a CTE Curriculum Specialist in 2009 and was named Supervisor of CTE in 2012. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Frostburg in 2016. Her dissertation used ex post facto data in a non-experimental co-relational research design to retrospectively examine placement at 12 and 24 months after graduation to determine which educational variables most significantly influenced placement in College, Career or both. Serving as a co-chair for Blueprint Pillar 3-B has allowed her to continue expanding career related opportunities to ensure that that all FCPS students have the skills needed to be successful after graduation. Kristine and her husband have been married for over 40 years and they share three adult sons and one spoiled granddaughter.
Career and Technology Fair
Re-branding Update
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) team is excited to share the re-branding of the Middle School Tech Fair as the “Career and Tech Fair.” Not only does this change better represent the vision and mission of MS CTE programming, it allows for greater partnerships to be highlighted. The 31st Annual MS Career and Tech Fair will continue to have competitions for MS students. MS teams are registered by their respective CTE Teacher for the appropriate competitions. This year, the Career and Tech Fair will be held at Frederick High School on March 19th (snow date of March 21st). This change in venue will allow for each high school CTE department to participate and show the programs and options available for students. Robotics Teams are invited to showcase their teams and recruit, as well. All Career Coaches will be participating to continue to market their services to students. CTE middle school teachers have been made aware of this event and their responsibilities for preparing students for the competitions, recruiting, and signing-up students. CTE high school Dept, Chairs have been made aware of this opportunity and they are working with their teams to determine how they would like to participate. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. and awards will conclude at approximately 7:30 p.m.
College and Career Readiness (CCR)
Blueprint Pillar 3
The Maryland Board of Education has adopted a new College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standard that takes effect immediately. Students have two possible ways to become CCR:
- Students earn a proficient or better score on the English 10 AND Algebra I MCAP.
OR
- Students earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher AND earn a grade of A, B, or C in Algebra I.
We are waiting for clarification on whether or not the GPA is unweighted and whether or not it is first established at the end of 10th grade. We will follow up when we have this information, and we will be updating our different data dashboards and reports.
2023 Diversity and Hiring Report
On December 1, 2023, all school systems in Maryland were required to submit a Diversity and Hiring Report. This report reflects the time period of October 2022 through Occtober 2023 and aligns with the annual staffing report collected by the Maryland State Department of Education. The report provides an oveview and evaluation of hiring practices related to diversity, including plan for changes based upon findings of report and our Blueprint goals. To learn more about our work or review the report, click the link below.
Blueprint Unlocked Podcast
New Releases
There are now four episodes of the Blueprint Unlocked Podcast available on YouTube. Join Dr. Sarah Sirgo, Chief of Staff and Blueprint Coordinator, along with her panel of special guests, as they discuss FCPS' progress and development of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
In the coming weeks, we will publish the remaining Blueprint Unlocked podcast episodes for Pillars 4, and 2. Check these resources and all others at www.fcps.org/Blueprint and click on "Stakeholder Resources"
Legislative Updates
Items Currently Making Their Way Through the Maryland General Assembly
More than 1,100 bills have been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly during the current legislative session. We are sharing a few relevant links below to bills on the floor for discussion.
- SB0033 (HB0837) More Opportunities for Career-Focused Students Act of 2024
- SB0040 State Department of Education - Driver Education and Career and Technical Education - Funding (Driver Education and Career Education Act of 2024)
- SB0084 (HB0116) Teacher Degree Apprenticeship
- SB0112 County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use - Policy Required
- SB0127 Maryland Center for School Safety - Firearm Detection Platforms - Evaluation (Maryland Firearm Detection Platform Act)
- SB0143 Teachers' Retirement and Pension Systems - Reemployment
- SB0189 Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation
- SB0426 Education - Maryland STEM Program - Established
Recent Announcements
Maryland Matters
- Maryland higher ed officials focusing on collaboration, teacher training to boost Blueprint reform plan - An ad-hoc work group will be formed with staff from the commission and MSDE
- School systems to receive more time to develop next Blueprint plan submissions - Responses to the second submission of Blueprint plans decreased from 164 prompts and questions to 24.
- Commentary: Maryland's public school boards take the lead on climate action for a better future - While Maryland's school systems have been acting independently on energy efficiency for decades, more recently, public schools nationwide are taking collective action.
- Audit: $12.3 million went unused due to lack of training by state Dept. of Education - A state audit shows at least eight Maryland school systems didn't use $12.3 million designated for students in underserved communities.
Maryland State Department of Education
- MSDE Moves Forward with Next Steps in State Superintendent Search- Leadership Profile and stakeholder engagement phase completed; applications open through March 1.
- State Board Calls for the Adoption of Science of Reading Statewide- MSDE calls for the statewide adoption and implementation of literacy instruction based on the Science of Reading starting in the 24-25 academic year.
- MSDE Releases Annual Maryland School Report Card - state, district and school-level results for 2023 MD School Report Card.
Links and Report Resources
The following links, reports, and resources available for review if you would like to learn more about Marylands Blueprint legislation, research, and reports.
Feedback and Reflection Opportunity
We want to hear your thoughts on the FCPS implementation of the Blueprint. Please click on one or more of the links to share thoughts on the Blueprint pillar areas of focus. The responses to any of the following will be reported back to FCPS staff directly.
- Pillar 1: Early Childhood (Pre-K expansion, Kindergarten Readiness, Judy Centers) Pillar 1 Reflections
- Pillar 2: Elevating Educators (Career Ladder, Diversity Recruitment and Retention, Talent Pathways) Pillar 2 Reflections
- Pillar 3: North Star (College & Career Readiness, Post-CRR Pathways, Support Pathways, Career Coaching, High-Quality Curriculum) Pillar 3 Reflections
- Pillar 4: Student Supports (Behavioral and mental health, Special Education, English language learners, Students experiencing homelessness, Communities experiencing poverty, Community Schools) Pillar 4 Reflections
You are also welcome to email us directly at the link in the blue box below.