The Maryland State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards by unanimous vote in June 2010. Schools across the State in 2013-14 have implemented Maryland’s College and Career-Ready Standards.Maryland’s College and Career-Ready Standards form the foundation for Maryland’s new State curriculum framework. It guides decisions at the district level on curriculum and assessment. Classroom educators, instructional leaders, administrators, and higher education representatives continue to assist State officials in developing the new Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards Framework to support the implementation of these new standards.The standards can be accessed at:http://mdk12.org/instruction/commoncore/index.html.

The Maryland State Department of Education coordinates and has provided professional development around literacy through Educator Effectiveness Academies, College and Career-Readiness Conferences, webinars, district meetings, as well as online resources on our Blackboard website which can be accessed at:https://msde.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp.

The state of Maryland’s Higher Education Commission sets policies, regulations, and plans for higher education.The 2013-2017 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education has been widely disseminated.There was a press release, and it was sent to Universities and all Institutions of Higher Education. The plan, which was developed by the Higher Education Commission, can be accessed on the MHEC website at:http://www.mhec.state.md.us/higherEd/2004Plan/2004StatePlan.asp.

The Maryland State Department of Education recently updated its State-Recommended Curricula for Early Childhood Programs, which can be accessed at:http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/preschool_curriculum/.