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MSDE outlines wide literacy rollout: coaching, SUNY/AIM coursework and a literacy media campaign
Summary
MSDE reported a multi‑pronged literacy strategy that pairs statewide professional learning (science of reading coursework via SUNY and AIM Institute), LEA coaching and a proposed USDOE literacy grant to support district‑based literacy coaching and implementation supports.
Maryland State Department of Education officials provided the boards with an update on literacy implementation and supports intended to accompany the newly adopted statewide targets. Diane Collins, MSDE assistant superintendent, and Dr. Smith (MSDE executive director for literacy initiatives) described five priority 'buckets' of work for 2024‑25: aligning standards and policy, family resources, professional learning tied to the science of reading, literacy coaching and implementation science for high‑quality instructional materials (HQIM).
MSDE said it has contracted initial licenses for two curated professional learning pathways: a SUNY‑developed science‑of‑reading course and AIM Institute pathways. The department plans a staggered rollout (internal pilot licenses in July, 1,000 LEA licenses later in the summer and broader access in the fall), coaches to transfer practices to classrooms, and a media campaign with a vendor (Whiteboard Advisors) to communicate resources and expectations to families, educators and stakeholders.
Dr. Smith said MSDE submitted a Comprehensive State Literacy Development grant to the U.S. Department of Education and, if funded, those dollars would expand district literacy coaching. The department also reported work with higher education partners and offered initial secondary‑level supports and a secondary literacy lab this year; AIM pathways include a secondary track to help content teachers apply structured literacy in their classrooms.
Board members asked how MSDE will align curricula selection, prepare teacher preparation programs and extend professional learning to paraprofessionals and building leaders; MSDE said HQIM alignment, coaching, and partnerships with institutions of higher education are part of the plan and that pilot phases will be used to work out operational details. Collins said MSDE will track rollout, gather midterm reports (for example, Maryland Tutoring Corps report due in September) and continue local engagement through LEA visits and principal collaboratives.
MSDE emphasized that high‑quality professional learning is essential to meeting the adopted targets, and the department said it will provide resources and norming for LEAs to adopt professional learning that maps to the Learning Forward standards shown to improve teaching and student outcomes.
