The Maryland Department of Education convened the Blueprint Special Education Workgroup on August 23, 2023, to discuss strategies for improving educational outcomes for students with special needs and other underserved populations. The meeting highlighted the importance of addressing achievement gaps that persist despite overall improvements in education.

A key speaker emphasized the lessons learned from Massachusetts' Education Reform Act of 1993, which significantly increased funding and established rigorous standards. While these efforts led to overall improvements, they did not adequately support the bottom 20% of students, particularly those with special needs, minority students, low-income students, and English language learners. The speaker, who has extensive experience as a school superintendent, noted that even in high-performing districts, disparities remain for these vulnerable groups.

The discussion underscored the need for targeted interventions to close achievement gaps. The speaker shared successful strategies implemented in Lexington, Massachusetts, where significant progress was made in improving outcomes for subpopulations. However, he expressed frustration that many superintendents were reluctant to adopt similar approaches, limiting the potential for broader change.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for Maryland's education leaders to prioritize the unique challenges faced by special education students and to implement systemic changes that foster higher achievement levels for all students. The speaker highlighted that with the right focus and resources, it is possible to achieve substantial improvements in educational outcomes for these populations. The workgroup aims to explore these strategies further in future meetings, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and commitment to equity in education.