MSDE headquarters budget increases as lawmakers press for details on teacher retention, literacy policy and school safety funds

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) headquarters budget for fiscal 2026 increases by $14.9 million, or roughly 4%, to $388.1 million, the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee heard during a departmental budget briefing.

The Department of Legislative Services analyst, Laura Hyde, said the general fund allowance for MSDE falls by $5.0 million from fiscal 2025 but is offset by increases of $8.7 million in special funds and $11.7 million in federal funds. Hyde told the committee the Maryland LEADS federal set-aside comprises multiple programs and that $173.9 million has been designated for those learning-loss programs.

Why it matters: The spending changes tie to major state priorities — teacher recruitment and retention, literacy implementation, school safety and the Maryland School Leadership Academy — and lawmakers asked MSDE officials for more detail on how funds will be used and what outcomes the department expects.

MSDE response and program highlights

State Superintendent Carrie Wright told the subcommittee MSDE has focused on implementing Blueprint for Maryland’s Future policies and highlighted partnerships and assessment work. "The Maryland State Board of Education adopted a resolution to have Maryland among the top 10 in the nation in reading and math in the National Assessment of Educational Progress by 2027," Wright said, summarizing recent priorities and partnerships to expand professional…