The Maryland State Board of Education is proposing a new policy to strengthen math instruction in public schools following a significant decline in student proficiency. The policy is designed to improve access to advanced math courses, standardize instruction across districts, and provide educators with better training and resources. It is part of a broader effort to align education reforms with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed a sharp drop in math proficiency among Maryland students. In 2011, the state ranked fifth nationally in fourth-grade math proficiency at 48 percent, but by 2022, that number had fallen to 31 percent. Eighth-grade math proficiency also declined, dropping from 40 percent in 2011 to 25 percent in 2022, placing Maryland 43rd in the nation.
During a recent meeting, board member Joshua Michael acknowledged that while literacy scores have shown some recovery, math proficiency remains well below pre-pandemic levels. Fellow board member Crawford stressed the importance of focusing on performance outcomes, warning that past failures to address learning declines led to severe setbacks. He called for greater transparency in tracking student performance and suggested that school websites provide easily accessible data for the public.
The proposed policy would shift the traditional algebra-geometry-algebra 2 sequence to an integrated algebra pathway. It also seeks to expand professional development opportunities for teachers and implement new accountability measures to track student progress.
While the state has allocated a record $9.2 billion for K-12 education in 2025, some districts are still struggling with financial constraints. In March 2024, 15 of the state’s 24 school districts expressed concerns about the funding and resources needed to comply with Blueprint for Maryland’s Future mandates. In Howard County, officials faced criticism from parents and educators after proposing cuts to elementary gifted and talented programs to offset budget shortfalls.
If adopted, the policy will be implemented gradually over a five-year period. The first phase would finalize and release the new math standards, followed by teacher training, a shift to integrated algebra coursework, and a full assessment of the policy’s effectiveness.
The State Board of Education is seeking public feedback before finalizing the proposal. Officials hope the reforms will help Maryland students regain lost ground and improve their overall math performance.
