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The Maryland General Assembly’s Legislative Session is in full swing, and key decisions are being made that impact arts education across the state. Join AEMS for a 45-minute information session where we’ll break down the latest legislative priorities and how you can take action to support arts educators, students, and programs.

 

This session is designed for arts educators, teaching artists, and arts ed administrators who want to stay informed and advocate for policies that strengthen arts education in Maryland.

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Your voice is essential—hope to see you there!

2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The 2025 General Assembly Session began on January 8 and convenes through April 7 with hundreds of bills being introduced during this time. Despite the significant challenges posed by a tight budget we at AEMS are working to identify and take action on the bills that will impact arts education. 

PRIORITY #1

Renewed $30,000 funding for the 

Maryland Arts Education Data Project

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PRIORITY #2

Renewed $5,000,000 funding for the

Maggie McIntosh School Arts Centers

PRIORITY #3

Eliminate language in the Blueprint that sunsets funding in FY27

COALITION PRIORITIES

AEMS, along with its collaborators and coalition partners, is focused on these critical priorities for broader educational initiatives in Maryland that impact arts education.

BLUEPRINT COALITION

Maintain investment in education funding and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future’s promises.

  • Funding Adequacy and Full Funding: progressive revenue (Fair Share), protect Blueprint dedicated funds from reallocation, new adequacy study

  • Equity and Inclusivity: Address the needs of students with disabilities, Black, Brown, and newcomer families, as well as promote cultural competency and inclusivity in education and within the Blueprint.

  • Transparent and Accountable Implementation: transparent decision- making with the public regarding newly implemented policies that seemingly compete with existing priorities; monitor AIB/MGA for holding state institutions accountable for their role in implementation; transparency from the AIB on its use of funding

  • Student Success and Outcomes: Advocate for interventions necessary to ensure all students are on a College & Career track by 10th grade, including the development of career pathways for students

MARYLAND EDUCATION COALITION

Fair funding.

  • Full funding, aligned with fair share

  • Adequacy analysis

  • Cost of special education study

  • Eliminate the Sunset of State Education Statute §5–226. governing “Struggling Learners” and the “Transitional Supplemental Instruction” program and funding

  • Recruit, retain, and increase the number of school student service professionals (school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and juvenile service staff) to meet each national standards for student-to-staff ratios.

MARYLAND CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS

Support full funding and the Arts Stabilization Act

  • Oppose the proposed elimination of the funding formula for the Maryland State Arts Council found in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act

  • Support fully funding MSAC at the mandated level of $31 million

  • Support fully funding the Arts and Culture Capital Grant Program at $3 million

MARYLAND STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Support  teacher recruitment and retention.

  • Continuing to implement and improve the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and ensuring there is enough revenue to fund it

  • Enhancing wages for education support professionals (ESPs) and empowering them on decision-making bodies

  • Attracting and retaining educators to reduce staffing shortages

  • Establishing a holistic accountability system to measure school success

  • Improving school safety

  • TAKE ACTION NOW

MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS/
MARYLAND ASSOCATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Get a working principal placed on the State Board of Education. State level decisions need to be made with input from a working principal, someone who can share how MSDE’s choices impact students, communities, and schools.

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© 2024 by Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance - AEMS

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