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MCPS proposes FY26 program evaluation agenda, emphasizing equity and measurable outcomes
Summary
At the Sept. 4 work session MCPS staff presented the proposed fiscal 2026 program-evaluation agenda, tying studies to the district strategic plan and prioritizing equity-focused evaluations including extracurricular achievement programs, early childhood, and CTE pathways for students with disabilities.
District staff presented a proposed fiscal-year 2026 program-evaluation agenda to the board on Sept. 4, explaining how evaluation studies will inform funding and program decisions.
Dr. Keisha Addison, who leads program evaluation and applied research for MCPS, described a framework the department uses to rate programs (continue, probation/yellow, discontinue) and said evaluations are intended to answer "what is working, for whom, and under what conditions." The proposed FY26 agenda includes studies of achievement-focused extracurricular programs, year-two implementation of the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) curriculum, early childhood programming (including full-day proposals), Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway support for students with IEPs, Saturday school, and primary talent development.
Addison told the board the evaluation office balances ongoing and new studies, and noted capacity constraints: its core team is relatively small and specialists commonly juggle two projects. Staff said completed FY24 studies include literacy and math curriculum reviews and a restorative-justice specialist evaluation; some FY25 studies remain in progress. Board members asked for clearer timelines and a documented due date for each proposed study and for fiscal cost estimates tied to programs under review.
District staff said some proposed studies from earlier years were canceled because requested programs were not implemented or priorities shifted; they also emphasized a need to balance requests with evaluation capacity and recommended that the board prioritize topics if it wanted to reorder or add studies. The item will be an action item at a forthcoming business meeting; the superintendent and staff said they will provide more detail—including target completion dates and budget implications—before the board takes a formal vote.
