The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is taking significant steps to enhance special education services following the latest meeting of the Blueprint Special Education Workgroup on November 1, 2023. The meeting focused on integrating recommendations from various stakeholders to improve monitoring processes and support systems for students with special needs.

Carmen Brown, the branch chief for Interagency Collaboration, highlighted the importance of collaboration between different departments, particularly in implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and response to intervention (RTI). She noted that workgroups are actively engaging with local education agencies to tailor their approaches based on their current implementation stages. This ongoing effort aims to ensure that all students receive the necessary support to thrive academically.

A key discussion point was the need for clarity in how recommendations from workgroup meetings are presented. Some members expressed concerns that the summaries provided did not accurately reflect the full range of recommendations made by the group. It was emphasized that the staff's role is to facilitate and refine these recommendations rather than dictate them. This distinction is crucial for maintaining transparency and ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard.

To address these concerns, the group agreed to improve documentation of recommendations, ensuring that future presentations clearly differentiate between the workgroup's input and staff summaries. This will help foster a more collaborative environment and ensure that all contributions are acknowledged.

Looking ahead, the workgroup plans to continue its discussions on integrating general and special education more effectively. Buzzy Hettleman, an independent advocate and author, will provide insights on this topic in the next meeting, emphasizing the need for built-in supports within general education to reduce the number of referrals for special education services.

The MSDE remains committed to enhancing special education services and is actively seeking input from all stakeholders to create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for students with diverse needs. As these discussions progress, the focus will remain on actionable outcomes that directly benefit students and their families.