The Weekly Update #4

Hello! I am Dr. Sarah Sirgo, Chief of Staff and Blueprint Implementation Coordinator for Frederick County Public Schools. Welcome to the July 2026 issue of The Blueprint Quarterly, our communication resource designed to keep students, staff, families, and community members informed about the latest updates and progress of Blueprint implementation across FCPS. Our 11th issue is full of great information.

As we conclude another semester of Blueprint implementation, Frederick County Public Schools continues to make meaningful progress toward the ambitious goals outlined in the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. This report highlights the work accomplished during the first half of 2026 across each of the five Blueprint pillars and reflects our ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for every student.

While implementation continues to evolve, our focus remains the same: investing in high-quality instruction, strengthening our workforce, expanding opportunities for students, and ensuring resources are directed where they have the greatest impact. Throughout this report, you'll find highlights of key accomplishments, current areas of focus, and the work on the horizon as we continue to translate the Blueprint into meaningful action for Frederick County students, families, and staff.

Thank you to the many educators, staff members, students, families, and community partners whose collaboration continues to make this work possible. Please review all of our milestone reports here

Frederick County Public Schools continues to advance implementation of Maryland's Career Ladder by preparing for the launch of a Level 4 pilot. During the 2026–2027 school year, FCPS will open the application process for educators interested in serving in Level 4 roles. Selected participants must have their NBC and have completed the teacher leadership pathway course. We are planning to launch lead teacher positions in a small number of schools during the 2027–28 school year.

The pilot will provide valuable opportunities to refine role expectations, support structures, and implementation processes while recognizing accomplished educators who expand their impact beyond their own classrooms. Lessons learned through the pilot will inform future expansion of the Career Ladder across FCPS as the system continues to implement the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

More information on the Career Ladder and Level 4 requirements may be found in our Career Ladder Booklet.

The Maryland Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) has announced the factors it will consider when determining the release of Fiscal Year 2027 Blueprint funding to local education agencies (LEAs).

Under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, 25% of each LEA’s annual increase in Blueprint formula funding is automatically withheld until the AIB determines that required implementation and performance expectations are being met. The AIB must notify LEAs by December 1 if funding may be withheld and make final funding decisions by February 1.

For FY 2027, the AIB will evaluate each LEA’s individual progress—not performance relative to other districts or state averages—on several key measures, including:

• Submission and approval of the required Career Counseling Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Submission of the Career Ladder Level 4 Declaration of Intent for the 2027–28 school year.
• Compliance with the Blueprint requirement for a minimum teacher salary of $60,000 by July 1, 2026.
• Progress in Grade 3 English Language Arts proficiency on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), including performance among student groups such as students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities.
• Progress in Grade 5 mathematics proficiency on MCAP for all students and key student groups.
• Progress in reducing chronic absenteeism across all grades and student groups.

LEAs that do not demonstrate sufficient progress toward these goals, including state-adopted Blueprint aligned metrics, could face accountability actions, including the withholding of automatically reserved Blueprint funds.

As part of the annual Blueprint Comprehensive Plan update process, the AIB is providing a 30-day public comment period to provide feedback on the changes the AIB will vote on at its July 30th meeting. The AIB welcomes feedback on the proposed changes to the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan for the AIB's consideration. Proposed changes are based on public feedback received by the AIB and can be viewed in slides from the June 18 AIB Board Meeting and in the 2026 Proposed Changes document.

Feedback on the proposed changes will be accepted through this form until 11:59pm on July 19th. Please be as specific as possible when providing feedback and select the applicable proposed change from the dropdown menu and only provide feedback on the change selected in the dropdown. You can submit up to three separate pieces of feedback on the form, and the form can be submitted multiple times if necessary.

More information on the 2026 BCP Update process is outlined in the slides from the June 18 AIB Board Meeting. Previous versions of the BCP, including the 2025 version, can be found on the AIB website.

If you have any questions or issues with the form, you can contact aib@maryland.gov.

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The Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) met on June 18, with discussions focused on several key Blueprint implementation priorities.

The Board highlighted statewide progress in expanding full-day prekindergarten through presentations from Garrett and Howard County Public Schools, showcasing strategies to increase access and strengthen early childhood programming.

Staff also presented recommended updates to local Blueprint Comprehensive Plans. These recommendations are intended to improve implementation planning and will inform future revisions submitted by local school systems.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on the Career Ladder. The AIB reviewed requirements for School Year 2027–28 Level 4 participation and approved optional Level 4 pilot applications for School Year 2026–27. These discussions continue to shape the statewide rollout of Maryland's career ladder framework.

The Board also reviewed considerations for the FY 2027 release of Blueprint funds and received updates from the Executive Director on upcoming implementation work.

The next AIB meeting is scheduled for July 30, 2026.

Korbin Shoemaker recently assumed the role of Supervisor for Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Frederick County Public Schools.

In this role, Korbin leads a team dedicated to supporting schools in providing high-quality learning experiences that equip students with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and industry connections needed for future career success. The CTE team supports the many components of comprehensive CTE programming, including curriculum and instruction, career exploration, Career and Technical Student Organizations, work-based learning, industry partnerships, and career-connected learning opportunities.

In alignment with Pillar Three of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, Korbin works strategically to expand student access to CTE programs, Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs), and Registered Apprenticeships. As one of Maryland’s three Postsecondary College and Career Readiness (Post-CCR) pathways, CTE plays a critical role in preparing students for success beyond high school. Additionally, the Blueprint established a goal that, by 2030–31, 45% of high school graduates will earn an IRC or participate in a Registered Apprenticeship. Over the past three years, Korbin and his team have expanded credential opportunities by establishing more than a dozen new IRCs and have implemented annual growth targets to help FCPS meet and exceed Blueprint expectations. In partnership with the Department of Labor, Frederick County Workforce Services, and industry stakeholders, the team continues to expand apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities that connect students to high-demand careers. CTE is also heavily engrained in the work of FCPS’s Career Coaching program, leveraging this program to ensure students are aware of the opportunities within CTE to support career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation.

Korbin’s commitment to strengthening CTE is reflected in his professional journey with FCPS. He began his career with the district as a middle school CTE teacher before joining the central office as the Teacher Specialist for Instructional Technology for CTE. He later served as Teacher Specialist for CTE and Coordinator for CTE before being appointed Supervisor. Throughout his career, Korbin has focused on building staff capacity, aligning programs to industry standards, developing strategic internal and external partnerships, and creating sustainable systems that support the complex work behind high-quality CTE programming.

Outside of FCPS, Korbin’s passion for CTE extends into his personal life through hands-on projects and learning experiences, especially those shared with his wife and two young daughters. He remains committed to ensuring every student has access to meaningful opportunities that equip them for success after graduation.

State board approves additional metrics to improve student achievement - Two state education boards approved additional student achievement metrics focused on kindergarten and 10th-grade students as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan

Youth is served: Youth charging, early childhood education bills among those signed into law - Tuesday brought major wins for youth in Annapolis as new laws restrict charging juveniles as adults, boost childcare scholarships, and establish a commission to study the past treatment of Black youth at a former reform school.

Applicants sought to fill upcoming vacancies on Blueprint board - The body that oversees the state's multibillion-dollar education reform plan is accepting applications until Friday for candidates to fill two board seats set to come open July 1.

Work to begin on new school rating system to replace current 'star' system - Work will begin immediately on a new school rating system to replace the current one- to four-star system that officials said does not adequately reflect the quality of a school and shortchanges schools with high numbers of low-income students.

154 Maryland public schools earn Green School honors - they join a network of 643 public Maryland Green Schools demonstrating student-driven environmental leadership and schoolwide commitments to sustainable practices.

MSDE launches statewide digital teacher recruitment platform - Partnering with TEACH.org, a national leader in digital teacher recruitment, the new TEACH Maryland platform supports aspiring educators at every stage—from high school students to career changers—by making it easier to explore teaching and find a path that fits their goals.

State Superintendent announces hiring campaign for teacher coaching program - More than 60 new positions will expand literacy and math coaching statewide.

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.

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