On August 23, 2023, the Maryland Department of Education convened the Blueprint Special Education Workgroup to address critical issues surrounding special education in the state. The meeting highlighted significant disparities in educational outcomes for special education students, particularly among African American and low-income populations.

A key presentation during the meeting focused on the demographic shifts and educational challenges faced by various school districts, including Lexington. The speaker emphasized that despite being perceived as a wealthy community, Lexington grapples with serious issues in special education, mirroring challenges seen across Maryland. The data revealed that in 2007, 17% of students were classified as needing special education, with alarming rates of 49% among African American students. This statistic prompted a deep dive into the reasons behind such disparities.

The speaker shared a successful turnaround strategy implemented in Lexington, which resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of students in special education—from 17% in 2007 to 11% in 2015. Notably, the percentage of African American students in special education dropped from 49% to approximately 30% during the same period. This improvement was attributed to targeted interventions and a commitment to addressing the root causes of underperformance.

The meeting also showcased impressive academic gains for African American students in Lexington. Between 2007 and 2014, the percentage of these students achieving proficient or advanced scores in English Language Arts rose from 68% to 96%. Similarly, their performance in mathematics saw a substantial increase, with proficiency rates climbing from 64% to 92%. These results underscore the potential for systemic change when focused efforts are made to support marginalized student populations.

In addition to academic performance, the meeting addressed the importance of SAT scores as a measure of student readiness for post-secondary education. Over an eight-year period, the SAT scores for African American students in Lexington increased by 294 points, while the overall student population saw a rise of 55 points. This data highlights the positive impact of educational reforms on student outcomes.

The discussions at the Blueprint Special Education Workgroup meeting reflect a growing recognition of the need for equitable educational practices across Maryland. As the workgroup continues its efforts, the focus will remain on identifying effective strategies to support special education students and ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education. The next steps will involve further analysis of the data presented and the development of actionable plans to address the ongoing challenges in special education across the state.