The Maryland State Board of Education convened on January 23, 2024, to discuss significant developments in community schools and their impact on student engagement and attendance. The meeting featured a presentation from a representative of Towson University, who highlighted ongoing efforts to support community schools across the state.

The speaker, who has led research initiatives at the Institute for Educational Leadership, emphasized the positive effects of community schools on student attendance and social capital. They noted that Towson University has been actively involved in this area for over a decade, providing undergraduate interns through an urban education seminar focused on community schools since 2013. This initiative has been supported by T. Rowe Price, which has helped supervise community school coordinators.

Despite technical difficulties that prevented the speaker from sharing their slides during the meeting, they assured the board that the materials would be sent later for review. The speaker also mentioned collaborative efforts, including presentations at national conferences and ongoing research projects, underscoring the university's commitment to enhancing community engagement in education.

The discussion around community schools is particularly timely as Maryland continues to scale up these programs statewide. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is expected to play a crucial role in supporting districts as they implement and expand community school initiatives.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of community schools in fostering student success and the collaborative efforts between educational institutions and community organizations to enhance educational outcomes across Maryland. Further updates and resources from Towson University are anticipated to support these initiatives moving forward.