The Blueprint Quarterly
September 2025
Hello! I am Dr. Sarah Sirgo, the Chief of Staff and Blueprint Implementation Coordinator for Frederick County Public Schools! Welcome to the latest issue of The Blueprint Quarterly - a communication tool dedicated to providing our students, staff, families, and community members, up-to-date information about the Blueprint implementation in FCPS.
This month the Blueprint Quarterly provides updates on the following:
- Spotlight on Laura Brown, who leads our Career Coaches
- Expert Review Team (ERT) School Visits
- Blueprint in Action Video for Action Area 4 (Resource Allocation)
- Updates from the AIB
In addition, our steering committee is preparing for our first in person Blueprint Implementation Conference on October 8, 2025. This meeting is an opportuity for FCPS to talk directly with the AIB about our progess, success, and challenges across all areas of our Phase 2 plan. We look forward to highlighting this tremendous work!
Laura Brown, Career Coach Coordinator
Laura is the FCPS Coordinator for the Career Coach Program, leading a team of 22 Career Coaches who serve all secondary students. She provides hands-on leadership, from day-to-day support to professional learning opportunities, ensuring the team is equipped to help students explore careers, sharpen their soft skills, and get ready for what comes next. Career Coaches connect curriculum to careers in and out of the classroom. They provide students with the opportunity to take career and interest assessment, tour local businesses, hear from professionals in a variety of fields, and develop resume and interview skills.
Laura's work is all about collaboration. In her role developing partnerships means more opportunities for students. She works collaboratively with school administrators, student services, CTE teachers, WBL Coordinators, central office staff, local businesses, and program partners Frederick County Workforce Services and Frederick Community College to ensure the Career Coach Program is both successful and equitable.
The Career Coach program, aligned with The Blueprint for Maryland's Future, provides a critical foundation for students to navigate their future career options. Instead of rushing students to answer, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", Career Coaches give students the knowledge, guidance, and experiences they need to make informed decisions and forge their own path to success for the labor market of tomorrow.
As a product of FCPS and lifelong Frederick resident, she is passionate about pouring in the future of Frederick…our students. With a decade of experience in youth workforce and career development programs, she brings a fresh perspective to this work. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMBC, she also holds certifications as a Professional Resume Writer, Global Career Development Facilitator, Certified Career Services Professional, and Dependable Strengths Facilitator. Outside of FCPS, Laura is active in her community, serving on the board of East Frederick Rising, and is a member of the 2026 class of Leadership Frederick County.
MSDE is continuing the deployment of Expert Review Teams (ERT), as required by the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, with a focus on elementary and middle schools for the 2025 - 2026 school year. To that end, eight FCPS schools have been identified for ERT visits. School site reviews will focus on improving literacy/ELA and mathematics instruction across districts, recognizing the critical role of literacy/ELA in education and as a foundation for other academic disciplines. There is also a signaled commitment and focus on mathematics instruction across Maryland, including the adoption of a Math Mastery component within the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards and the PreK-12 Mathematics Policy.
For this school year, each site review visit will focus on either literacy/ELA and/or mathematics, depending on the criterion that identified the school for a visit. The criteria for selection for ERT visits includes schools with high and low achievement status and high and low two-year changes in achievement for ELA and math separately. Of the 8 schools selected in FCPS, 6 were identified due to high achievement! School visits will begin in mid-to-late October, with information sessions for Blueprint coordinators and principals being held in early September.
This year, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) are partnering with each local school system to host Blueprint Implementation Monitoring Conferences. These sessions, scheduled for late summer through early fall 2025, are an important step in supporting school districts as they carry out the goals of the
Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
The conferences are designed to be collaborative and supportive opportunities—not compliance exercises. Each local education agency (LEA) will meet with state leaders to:
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Review progress on its Phase 1 Blueprint Implementation Plan (Fiscal Years 2022–2027).
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Highlight successes and challenges in key Blueprint areas such as early childhood education, the teacher career ladder, college and career readiness pathways, student supports, and governance/finance.
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Refine and adjust strategies based on lessons learned so far.
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Prepare for the future, including the submission of Phase 2 plans in 2027, which will guide implementation for Fiscal Years 2028–2032.
By creating space for reflection, dialogue, and shared problem-solving, these conferences ensure that every district has the guidance and support needed to translate Blueprint priorities into meaningful results for students, staff, and families.
Behind every great school system is a comprehensive and strategic budgeting process! The Fiscal Services department of FCPS ensures that every dollar is allocated where it matters most; improving student success, supporting educators, and strenthening our schools. Please watch our latest video, Blueprint Action Area 4, that breaks down our strategic resource allocation and shares valuable knowledge about student spending.
Our entire stakeholder series can be found on our FCPSMaryland - YouTube channel by typing Blueprint, in the search area. Or, watch any one of our featured video shorts below!
Action Area 1 - Career Technology Education
During the July 24 meeting, the board discussed and/or took action on the following items:
- Blueprint Comprehensive Plan Update: The AIB reviewed and voted on the recommended changes to the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan, which is an annual requirement to complete by August 1. The AIB approved the recomended changes and will review recommendations that need legislative changes in the fall.
- State Agency Implementation Plan Updates: The AIB approved the CTE Committee 2024 Implementation Plan as well as the Juvenile Services Education Program (JSEP) 2024 Implementation Plan, which includes a Literacy Plan that was reviewed by MSDE.
- MSDE ERT Deployment Methodology: The AIB voted to approve the MSDE ERT Deployment Methodology for SY25-26. The ERT will continue to focus on literacy and math instruction during these visits, expand the visits from elementary to include middle schools, and plan to visit all 9 JSEP schools by the end of the school year.
- Career Ladder Update: AIB staff provided an update on July 1, 2025 Career Ladder submissions. As LEAs submit fully executed documents, they will be posted on the AIB website. AIB staff is reviewing the submissions and will be recommending approval to the AIB throughout the fall.
- NORC Evaluation Plan: NORC shared the Interim Evaluation Plan recently submitted to the AIB. This plan describes the interim evaluation design, conceptual frameworks that inform the approach, as well as activities that NORC has or will be undertaking throughout the evaluation process. The AIB has approved the Interim Evaluation Plan.
Maryland State Department of Education
MSDE Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program - The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has awarded more than $4.5 million in federal funds to 196 elementary schools statewide to encourage lifelong healthy eating habits.
Maryland Matters
Three appointed to fill open seats on AIB - Appointed by Gov. Moore
New teachers, policies as school starts in Maryland - A new year for 890,000 students in Maryland with new math policy and concern with federal government funding.
DEI ban in K-12 schools rulled 'unlawful' by MD federal judge - USDE's requested practices struck down.
State education leaders to LEAs: Follow state law - State Superintendent Carey Wright and state Board of Education Presidnet Joshua Michael make statements at news conference.
Feedback and Reflection Opportunity
We want to hear your thoughts on the FCPS implementation of the Blueprint. Please click on one or more of the links to share thoughts on the Blueprint pillar areas of focus. The responses to any of the following will be reported back to FCPS staff directly.
- Pillar 1: Early Childhood (Pre-K expansion, Kindergarten Readiness, Judy Centers) Pillar 1 Reflections
- Pillar 2: Elevating Educators (Career Ladder, Diversity Recruitment and Retention, Talent Pathways) Pillar 2 Reflections
- Pillar 3: North Star (College & Career Readiness, Post-CRR Pathways, Support Pathways, Career Coaching, High-Quality Curriculum) Pillar 3 Reflections
- Pillar 4: Student Supports (Behavioral and mental health, Special Education, English language learners, Students experiencing homelessness, Communities experiencing poverty, Community Schools) Pillar 4 Reflections
You are also welcome to email us directly at the link in the box below.
