AACPS presents magnet and CTE audit; board presses on access, lottery, transportation and funding

Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Feb. 17 presented findings from an independent audit of the district’s magnet and CTE programs and sketched five‑year plans to expand career pathways and improve admissions, communications and program fidelity.

Christina Catalano, chief academic officer, and Kevin Hamlin, assistant superintendent for college and career readiness, told the Board of Education that the audit — produced in partnership with Magnet Schools of America (MSA) after a Maryland State Department of Education grant — reviewed 18 magnet and CTE host schools through site visits, student focus groups, classroom observations and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. "We were awarded approximately $100,000 in funding to expand our access to selective admissions programming in AACPS," Catalano said while summarizing the grant and audit process.

The audit found strengths and recognitions across the district but identified gaps on equity and access, program consistency, staffing and facilities. Hamlin said the review produced 65 detailed recommendations and that the district has already pulled several short‑term actions together, including advisory committee restructuring and initial five‑year CTE and magnet plans. "Magnet Schools of America provided 65 detailed recommendations," Hamlin said.

Why it matters: Board members stressed that praise for award‑winning schools does not resolve…