Maryland Begins New School Year with Focus on Teacher Support and Student Attendance

Maryland is launching the 2026-2027 school year with new initiatives aimed at enhancing educational quality across the state, according to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). This year introduces a statewide teacher coaching program and an attendance awareness campaign designed to bolster student success from the outset. Frederick County Public Schools was the first to welcome students on August 19, with the majority of other school systems following suit throughout the subsequent week. Wicomico County Public Schools is scheduled to have the final first day of school on September 1.

A significant new program rolling out this academic year is Maryland’s statewide literacy and mathematics teacher coaching program. The MSDE has employed 51 dedicated teacher coaches who will serve 13 districts. Specifically, 63 schools will receive literacy coaches, while a pilot program for mathematics teacher coaching will be implemented in 14 schools across Charles, Harford, Kent, and St. Mary’s school systems. This investment in professional development is intended to strengthen instructional quality and provide educators with enhanced support.

In addition to teacher support, the state is also adopting a new testing program. The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), which completed its final full administration last school year, will be succeeded by the Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) for students in third through eighth grades. This new assessment, set to be implemented next spring, is designed to offer shorter tests, quicker result reporting, and improved score accuracy. Last year’s MCAP results indicated a five-year high for student performance. Furthermore, a new statewide campaign titled “Maryland Shows Up” will be launched to encourage regular school attendance among students, families, and community partners. The state has seen progress in reducing chronic absenteeism, with rates falling to 25 percent in the 2024-25 school year, a decrease of 6 percentage points from the 2021-22 baseline. Preliminary data for the 2025-26 school year suggests continued improvement in attendance rates.

The phased start dates for Maryland’s school systems for the 2026-2027 academic year began on Wednesday, August 19, with Frederick County. Most other districts, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Charles, Dorchester, Howard, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot, will welcome students on Monday, August 24. Allegany, Calvert, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington counties will commence classes on Tuesday, August 25. Caroline and St. Mary’s counties started on Wednesday, August 26. The majority of remaining districts, such as Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Somerset, and Worcester, begin their school year on Monday, August 31. Wicomico County Public Schools will be the last to start, with the first day of school on Tuesday, September 1.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland State Department of Education.

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