The 2019 Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan is authorized by the following:

• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and
• Section 5-401, Comprehensive Master Plans, Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Background

​In 2002, the Maryland General Assembly enacted the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act.  This legislation provides a powerful framework for all 24 local school systems (LSSs) to increase student achievement for all students and to close the achievement gap.  The Bridge to Excellence legislation significantly increased State Aid to public education and required each LSS to develop a comprehensive master plan to be updated annually.  In 2019, the Maryland Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education updated current education funding formulas and made policy recommendations in the areas applicable to LSSs, including early childhood education, high-quality teachers and leaders, college and career readiness pathways (including career and technical education), and more resources to ensure all students are successful.

In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was reauthorized. This Act provides a long-term, stable federal policy that provides additional flexibility and encourages states, LSSs, and schools to innovate while maintaining accountability for results. ESSA, in conjunction with the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland §5-401, Annotated Code of Maryland §7-203.3, requires LSSs to develop and submit a 2019 Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan to the Department for review. Each LSS must submit its consolidated plan to the Department by October 15 each year.  

In 2019, LSSs transitioned to the new Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan for accountability, reporting, and school improvement.  School systems are required to submit a plan to improve outcomes for all students. The plan should include goals, objectives, and strategies/evidence-based interventions to promote academic excellence among all students to address areas of focus based on the analysis of state standardized data. Reported strategies should address any disparities in achievement for students requiring special education services, as defined in §5-209 of the Education Article, and students with limited English proficiency, as defined in §5-208 of the Education Article. The Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan is based on 2017-2018 data.

Additionally, each plan should include detailed summaries of the alignment between the LSS’s current year approved budget, prior year actual budget, and the Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan and objectives.