Maryland Projects Year 6
2010-2011
Professional Teaching Standards and Teacher Evaluation System
In Year 6, MACC continued to provide the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) assistance to develop a new, statewide comprehensive teacher evaluation and professional development system. Until recently, each district had its own evaluation system. The new system evaluated teachers based on observable behaviors, knowledge and skills, and their effectiveness as determined by student growth measures.
Migrant Education Program's Service Delivery Plan
Continuing work from Years 4 and 5, in Year 6 MACC assisted MSDE in implementing its service delivery plan for its Migrant Education Program (MEP). MACC helped build MSDE’s capacity to identify and develop resources for their local education agencies charged with improving migrant student and family outcomes.
Refinement of State Assessment Policies for Accommodating English Language Learners (ELLs)
MACC assisted MSDE in increasing its capacity to address English language learners (ELL) students’ unique learning needs. This project addressd state assessment policies for accommodating ELLs and provides SEAs with guidance about policy design, appropriate accommodations, and monitoring protocols. MACC also helped to improve MSDE's ability to collaborate across program offices and provide SEA staff from the Assessment, Title I, and Title III offices with opportunities to collaborate. With MACC’s support, MSDE has improved its capacity to develop and deliver training to LEAs around the state assessment policy for accommodating ELLs.
Breakthrough Center in Coordination with SSOS Services
MACC supported MSDE's implementation of its new Breakthrough Center (BTC) activities. The BTC coordinated services provided by the state and external organizations for districts and schools. The BTC managed, guided, aligned and brokered the statewide system of support (SSOS) services among districts and schools. MACC is contributing to the BTC activities by synthesizing and presenting current research about best practices in school reform, assisting in the crafting and refinement of technical assistance policies, and making critical connections between the BTC activities and other MSDE initiatives.