Maryland State Board Meetings, MSDE, 2026–27 Calendars & School Help
The Maryland State Board of Education handles statewide education policy, standards, regulations and certain appeals from local boards, while the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administers statewide programs, educator licensure, accountability data, assessments, special education oversight and other State education functions.
This guide separates State-level tasks from services handled by Maryland’s 24 local public school systems. Use it to check 2026–27 calendars, State Board meetings and public comment, current Board members, local district contacts, Maryland Report Card data, teacher licensure, graduation requirements, MCAP, appeals, special education dispute resolution, discrimination complaints, the MSDE Ombudsman, COMAR regulations and public records.
Do not use the old May 2026 Maryland snapshot
2026–27 calendars
MSDE’s statewide comparison has rolled forward to the 2026–27 school year.
Next meeting
The next scheduled State Board meeting is currently August 25, 2026.
Student member
Lorena Wu is currently listed as the Student Member for 2026–27.
2026 Report Card
The official accountability portal is now the 2026 Maryland School Report Card.
Officer correction: the current State Board members page lists Joshua L. Michael, Ph.D. as President and Monica Goldson, Ed.D. as Vice President. Always verify live officer titles before publishing, addressing correspondence or giving testimony.
State Board, MSDE, local district or individual school?
| Organization | Best for | Usually not for |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland State Board | Statewide policy, regulations, State Board meetings, certain appeals, State Board opinions and resolutions. | Daily bus routes, enrollment, lunch balances or attendance notes. |
| MSDE | Educator licensure, MCAP, statewide data, special education oversight, MPIA, Blueprint and State programs. | Most ordinary school-level operational requests. |
| Local school system | Enrollment, boundaries, local calendars, transportation, local Board meetings, meals and district services. | Statewide certification or final State regulations. |
| Individual school | Teachers, attendance, pickup, student records, counseling, schedules and campus activities. | State Board appeals or statewide regulation. |
Maryland State Department of Education office
What the Maryland State Board actually handles
Policy & standards
Sets statewide educational policy and standards within its legal authority.
Regulations
Acts on education regulations under Maryland’s COMAR process.
Budget review
Reviews major education budgets before further State action.
Appeals & opinions
Decides certain appeals from local boards and publishes State Board legal opinions/orders.
State Superintendent
The State Board appoints Maryland’s State Superintendent.
Legislation & policy development
The Board also studies policy and legislative issues affecting Maryland education.
Maryland State Board members and officers
| Member | Current role / area | Term shown |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua L. Michael, Ph.D. | President • Baltimore City | 2026–2030 |
| Monica Goldson, Ed.D. | Vice President • Prince George’s County | 2023–2027 |
| Lorena Wu | Student Member • Montgomery County | 2026–2027 |
| James C. Bell Jr., Ed.D. | Talbot County | 2025–2029 |
| Dr. Peggy Carr | Montgomery County | 2026–2029 |
| Alverne “Chet” Chesterfield | Somerset County | 2024–2028 |
| Kenny Clash | Baltimore County | 2024–2028 |
| Nick Greer | Baltimore City | 2023–2027 |
| Dr. Irma E. Johnson | Baltimore City | 2023–2027 |
| Marcy Leonard | Howard County | 2026–2030 |
| Dr. Kim Lewis | Frederick County | 2024–2028 |
| Xiomara V. Medina, M.Ed. | Anne Arundel County | 2025–2029 |
| Nicole Murray-Lewis | Montgomery County | 2026–2030 |
| Samir Paul, Esq. | Montgomery County | 2023–2027 |
Membership changes: appointments, terms, student representation and officer roles can change. Verify the live member page immediately before advocacy, media use or formal correspondence.
Who supports State Board operations?
Board staff are appropriate for State Board administrative matters. Local enrollment, transportation, transcript and school-placement requests still belong to the local school system.
Remaining Maryland State Board meeting schedule
| Date | Current listing |
|---|---|
| August 25, 2026 | Next scheduled meeting as checked Aug. 17 |
| September 29, 2026 | Scheduled State Board meeting |
| October 29, 2026 | Scheduled State Board meeting |
| November 2026 | Board retreat — current date shown as TBD |
| December 8, 2026 | Scheduled State Board meeting |
Future date ≠ published agenda. A meeting can appear on the annual schedule before its full agenda, hours, presentations and livestream have been posted.
Public-comment registration, limits and deadlines
Register eight days before
For regular meetings, the registration form normally opens at 8:00 a.m. ET eight days before the meeting.
Do not miss the three-day cutoff
Registration normally closes at 11:59 p.m. ET three days before the regular meeting.
Choose a preferred session
The Board currently accepts up to 10 morning speakers and 5 afternoon speakers. A preferred time is not guaranteed.
Prepare for three minutes
Each speaker receives 3 minutes. Staff monitor the time.
August 25 meeting: under the normal regular-meeting rule, registration is scheduled to open August 17 at 8:00 a.m. ET and close August 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET, unless the Board adjusts the window.
Excluded topics: current guidelines say public-comment submissions may not concern personnel matters or matters pending in an appeal to a local board or the State Board.
Waitlist: the State Board may maintain a waitlist when available comment slots are full, but waitlisted speakers are not guaranteed an opportunity to speak.
Accessibility and interpretation: request disability accommodations or language interpretation through the official State Board instructions at least 24 hours in advance.
Maryland does not have one statewide first day
Local school system leaders develop their calendars under Maryland law. MSDE publishes a statewide comparison, but the exact district calendar controls student planning.
Minimum instructional year: Maryland generally requires public schools to provide 180 days and at least 1,080 hours of pupil attendance during a ten-month period; public high schools have a minimum of 1,170 hours.
| School system | First day 2026 | Current listed last day 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Allegany County | Aug. 25 | June 8 |
| Anne Arundel County | Aug. 24 | June 11 |
| Baltimore City | Aug. 24 | June 11 |
| Baltimore County | Aug. 31 | June 17 |
| Calvert County | Aug. 25 | June 10 |
| Caroline County | Aug. 26 | June 11 |
| Carroll County | Aug. 31 | June 11 |
| Cecil County | Aug. 31 | June 11 |
| Charles County | Aug. 24 | June 9 |
| Dorchester County | Aug. 24 | June 4 |
| Frederick County | Aug. 19 | June 4 |
| Garrett County | Aug. 31 | June 4 |
| Harford County | Aug. 31 | June 17 |
| Howard County | Aug. 24 | June 8 |
| Kent County | Aug. 31 | June 11 |
| Montgomery County | Aug. 25 | June 16 |
| Prince George’s County | Aug. 25 | June 15 |
| Queen Anne’s County | Aug. 24 | June 9 |
| St. Mary’s County | Aug. 26 | June 16 |
| Somerset County | Aug. 31 | June 16 |
| Talbot County | Aug. 24 | June 14 |
| Washington County | Aug. 25 | June 8 |
| Wicomico County | Sept. 1 | June 11 |
| Worcester County | Aug. 31 | June 11 |
Weather can change the ending date. Local systems can seek calendar adjustments/waivers when attendance is prevented by qualifying severe weather or other covered circumstances.
Use your county or Baltimore City system for daily school services
Enrollment
Registration, residency, transfers and school placement usually begin locally.
Transportation
Bus eligibility, stops, routes and transportation complaints belong to the local system.
Transcripts
Student records normally begin with the current/former school or local district.
Exact calendar
District calendars provide operational dates, early dismissals and school-specific closures.
Local Board
County/Baltimore City Board meetings are separate from Maryland State Board meetings.
Meals & attendance
Meal accounts, school attendance and daily student operations usually begin locally.
2026 Maryland School Report Card
The Maryland Report Card lets families, educators and researchers view official State, district and individual-school information.
State data
Review statewide accountability and achievement information.
District data
Compare Maryland’s local public school systems.
School data
Search an individual school by name or official school ID.
Available measures can include achievement, progress, graduation, English-language proficiency, school quality/student success and readiness indicators. Use multiple measures instead of reducing a school to a single score.
Do not send every education problem to the same office
| Problem | Better starting route |
|---|---|
| Classroom / school concern | Teacher or school administrator → local district escalation. |
| Unresolved general district concern | Principal/office supervisor → local superintendent → MSDE Ombudsman. |
| Final local-board decision | Determine whether the Maryland State Board appeal process applies; normal filing period is 30 calendar days. |
| Education discrimination | Local civil-rights/fair-practices process and/or the applicable MSDE nondiscrimination procedure. |
| IDEA / special education dispute | School/LEA → informal family support, State Complaint, Mediation or Due Process as appropriate. |
| Need existing MSDE public records | Maryland Public Information Act / MSDE Public Records Center. |
When to contact the MSDE Ombudsman
Start with the school principal or responsible office
Report the concern to the administrator or office that can directly address it.
Escalate to the local superintendent’s office
If the concern remains unresolved, use your local education agency’s district-level process.
Then contact the State Ombudsman
MSDE says its Ombudsman works with Maryland’s 24 local education agencies to gather information and help resolve educational concerns.
Ombudsman ≠ formal appeal. Using Ombudsman help does not automatically replace a legal appeal, IDEA dispute procedure, discrimination complaint or another process with its own filing deadline.
Appealing a local Board decision
30-day rule: current Maryland State Board guidance says appeals from local-board decisions/orders generally must be filed within 30 calendar days.
Identify the actual local-board decision
A disagreement with a teacher or principal is not automatically ready for State Board review.
Find the controlling date
Use the date written on the local-board decision/order or the relevant vote date where the decision was rendered at the meeting.
Count calendar days
If day 30 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Maryland State legal holiday, current instructions permit filing on the next business day.
Use the current filing guide
The official Appeals page links the June 2026 revised filing instructions and COMAR 13A.01.05.
Deadline-sensitive: do not delay simply because you are also writing letters, seeking Ombudsman assistance or discussing the matter locally. Determine whether a formal filing deadline applies.
Maryland nondiscrimination complaint route
MSDE maintains a separate State procedure for qualifying discrimination allegations involving current or prospective students.
MSDE also encourages individuals considering a civil-rights complaint involving a local education agency to use the local agency’s Fair Practices/Civil Rights office where appropriate.
Maryland teacher license, TEACH and credential verification
Verify a license
MSDE provides a public search for Maryland educator license holders.
Apply through TEACH
Applications use the Educator Application and Credentialing Hub.
8-week processing
MSDE says a complete application with required documents is processed within eight weeks.
$10 issuance fee
The current FAQ says the fee is charged when an approved license is issued.
Already employed? If you are under contract with a Maryland public school system, State-operated school or nonpublic special-education facility, MSDE directs you to contact your employer regarding your licensure needs.
Military families: current licensure guidance provides expedited processing/portability information for qualifying service members, veterans and spouses.
Do not pay an unofficial certification site. Start with MSDE Educator Licensure and TEACH before submitting credentials, transcripts or payment.
Graduation requirements for students entering grade 9 in 2021–22 or later
Current Maryland regulations require at least 22 credits, plus assessment, service-learning and applicable local school-system requirements.
| Subject | Current State credit requirement |
|---|---|
| English | 4 credits |
| Mathematics | 4 credits, including algebra-related and geometry content requirements |
| Science | 3 credits: life science, physical science and Earth/space science requirements |
| Social Studies | 3 credits: U.S. History, World History and Government |
| Fine Arts | 1 credit |
| Health Education | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 0.5 credit |
| Computer science / engineering / technology education | 1 credit |
| Pathway | 2 credits of the same world language, including qualifying ASL, OR successful completion of a State-approved CTE program |
Math every year: Maryland regulation also requires students to enroll in mathematics during each year of high-school attendance, up to the applicable four-year rule unless additional attendance requires math for graduation.
Environmental literacy: students also complete the locally designed environmental-literacy program approved under Maryland requirements.
Local requirements can be additional. Students and families should use the local high-school graduation guide/counselor along with State requirements.
75 hours—but ordinary volunteering does not automatically count
Maryland requires public-school students earning the Maryland diploma to complete at least 75 hours of service-learning.
Academic preparation
Qualifying service-learning connects the activity to preparation and learning.
Service activity
The experience involves approved direct, indirect or advocacy service.
Reflection
Structured reflection is part of Maryland’s service-learning model.
Do not assume volunteer hours qualify. Local public agencies decide whether an independent project meets Maryland’s service-learning requirements and local implementation plan.
Moving between Maryland districts? Service-learning hours already documented on Maryland report cards/transcripts remain with the student, who continues under the receiving system’s implementation plan.
Moving into Maryland during high school?
Ask the receiving school early. Credit transfer, assessment exemptions, local waivers and graduation scheduling are individualized record-review issues.
MCAP and the high-school End-of-Course exams
| Assessment | Current statewide framework |
|---|---|
| ELA | State testing includes grades 3–8 and high-school English assessment requirements. |
| Mathematics | State assessments include grades 3–8 plus high-school mathematics course assessments. |
| Science | MISA/MCAP science includes elementary, middle and high-school assessment components. |
| Government | High-school American Government includes an End-of-Course assessment. |
20% EOC rule: for first-time ninth graders beginning in the 2023–24 school year, the American Government and Life Science EOC exams count for 20% of the final grade in the corresponding courses.
The remaining 80% of those course grades is based on locally created teacher-designed course content under the current EOC model.
Special education: support, State Complaint, Mediation or Due Process?
Informal family support
FSDR helps families navigate Maryland’s early-intervention and special-education systems and connect with local resources.
State Complaint
MSDE investigates qualifying allegations involving State/federal IDEA requirements.
Mediation
Families and public agencies can use the formal mediation process when appropriate.
Due Process
Maryland provides a formal Due Process Complaint route and publishes hearing-decision information.
Language access: current State Complaint and family dispute-resolution materials are available in multiple languages.
Transparency: MSDE currently publishes FY2026 State Complaint findings and FY2026 due-process/hearing and mediation reports.
Protect student privacy: send IEPs, evaluations, medical documentation, behavior plans and other education records only through the official school, LEA or MSDE process that requires them.
These four State Board resources are not interchangeable
| Resource | What it means |
|---|---|
| State Board policy | A Board policy/resolution organized in the State Board policy library. |
| COMAR regulation | Administrative regulation; Maryland education regulations primarily fall under Title 13A. |
| Proposed regulation | A rule still in the publication/comment/adoption process. Check the Maryland Register and current comment deadline. |
| State Board legal opinion/order | A decision issued through the Board’s adjudicatory/appeal role and published in the opinion/order index. |
Agenda language matters: “Permission to Publish,” “Permission to Republish” and “Permission to Adopt” represent different points in the regulatory process. Do not treat every proposed agenda item as a final effective regulation.
COMAR moved: Maryland’s Division of State Documents announced a new official online home for COMAR in March 2026. Older State regulation pages may still resolve, but verify the current text before relying on it.
How to request MSDE public records
Confirm MSDE holds the record
A local transcript, IEP, bus record or county Board record may belong to the local education agency instead.
Describe the existing record precisely
Give useful project names, dates, record types or other identifiers. MPIA does not require an agency to create a new record to answer your question.
Use the Public Records Center
MSDE recommends submitting new requests through its online Public Records Center for tracking.
Watch the response timeline
MSDE says some requests may take up to 30 days. Within 10 business days, it provides records or information about timing, delay and estimated fees.
First two hours free: the State provides the first two hours of processing without charge; processing beyond two hours may involve a fee.
Student records are different. Transcripts, attendance records, IEPs and other student files normally belong with the school/local education agency rather than an MSDE public-record request.
Five pillars behind Maryland’s education transformation
1. Early Childhood Education
Pre-K expansion, mixed-delivery partnerships and early-childhood supports.
2. High Quality & Diverse Teachers and Leaders
Career ladder, preparation, professional growth, compensation and educator workforce initiatives.
3. College & Career Readiness
CCR standards, pathways, dual enrollment and career/technical education.
4. More Resources for Students
Community schools and targeted supports based on student and community need.
5. Governance & Accountability
Accountability and Implementation Board oversight, implementation plans and Expert Review Teams.
The Blueprint is implemented through coordination among MSDE, the State Board, the Accountability and Implementation Board and local education agencies.
Switch to your local district for student-level tasks
Montgomery County
Use for MCPS local meetings, calendar and district services.
Prince George’s County
Use for PGCPS local enrollment, Board and family resources.
Anne Arundel County
Use for AACPS local schools, calendar and Board information.
Frederick County
Use for FCPS local Board and school-system information.
Harford County
Use for HCPS district calendars, Board meetings and local services.
Common Maryland education mistakes and the fastest fix
📅 You found 2025–26 dates
Fix: use the MSDE 2026–27 Opening and Closing Dates page.
🏛️ A page still says May 28 is next
Fix: the live 2026 schedule currently identifies Aug. 25 as the next meeting.
👥 You found an old Board officer
Fix: use the live members page; Monica Goldson is currently listed as Vice President.
🎓 You found O’Marie Barnes
Fix: that was the 2025–26 Student Member; the current 2026–27 listing is Lorena Wu.
💬 You want to speak Aug. 25
Fix: use the current registration window and three-minute public-comment rules.
🚌 You need your child’s bus stop
Fix: contact the local school system, not the Maryland State Board.
⚖️ You received a final local-board decision
Fix: check State Board appeal jurisdiction and the 30-calendar-day deadline immediately.
🤝 A local issue remains unresolved
Fix: after principal/office and local superintendent escalation, review the MSDE Ombudsman route.
🛡️ You are alleging discrimination
Fix: review the specific nondiscrimination procedure and its 60-day filing rule instead of sending a generic Board comment.
👩🏫 You need teacher certification
Fix: use TEACH/MSDE Licensure, or your employer if already under contract.
🎓 You transferred into Maryland as a senior
Fix: ask the receiving school to review Maryland transfer-student graduation and assessment exceptions.
🤲 You completed ordinary volunteer hours
Fix: confirm locally that the experience meets Maryland service-learning criteria before assuming it counts toward 75 hours.
🧩 You have an IEP dispute
Fix: distinguish local problem-solving, State Complaint, Mediation and Due Process.
📄 You need a transcript
Fix: start with the school/local district rather than filing an MSDE MPIA request.
📘 An agenda says “Permission to Publish”
Fix: that does not automatically mean the regulation is final or effective.
📊 You are comparing schools
Fix: use the current 2026 Maryland School Report Card and read multiple indicators in context.
Maryland Board of Education FAQs
What is the official Maryland Board of Education website?
The official Maryland State Department of Education website is marylandpublicschools.org. It includes State Board meetings, members, regulations, local school systems, educator licensure and statewide education resources.
What is the Maryland State Department of Education phone number?
The main MSDE phone number is 410-767-0100. Its primary office is at 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-2595.
Who leads the Maryland State Board of Education?
The current members page lists Joshua L. Michael, Ph.D. as President and Monica Goldson, Ed.D. as Vice President. Lorena Wu is listed as Student Member for 2026–27.
When is the next Maryland State Board meeting?
As checked August 17, 2026, the official meeting page lists Tuesday, August 25, 2026 as the next scheduled State Board meeting. Recheck the live page for hours, agenda, location and video access.
How do I speak at a Maryland State Board meeting?
For regular meetings, registration normally opens at 8:00 a.m. eight days before and closes at 11:59 p.m. three days before. Speakers generally receive three minutes, with up to 10 morning and five afternoon speakers under the current procedure.
Does Maryland have one statewide school calendar?
No. Maryland’s local public school systems develop their own calendars under State law. MSDE publishes a statewide 2026–27 comparison, but the exact local district calendar should be used for family planning.
How long do I have to appeal a local Board decision?
Current State Board guidance says an appeal generally must be filed within 30 calendar days of the applicable local-board decision/order or vote. Review the official appeal instructions immediately because jurisdiction and procedure matter.
How many credits are needed for a Maryland public-school diploma?
Students entering grade 9 in 2021–22 or later generally need at least 22 credits, along with applicable Maryland assessment, 75-hour service-learning and local school-system requirements.
How do I apply for a Maryland educator license?
Use MSDE Educator Licensure and the TEACH application hub. MSDE says complete applications are processed within eight weeks and currently charges a $10 processing fee when an approved license is issued.
Where can I compare Maryland public schools?
Use the official 2026 Maryland School Report Card for State, district and school-level accountability information. Enrollment, transportation and daily school services should still be handled by the local school system.
Maryland education verification checklist
Verification scope: this guide was rebuilt against current Maryland State Board membership, 2026 meeting schedule, public-comment procedures, 2026–27 opening/closing dates, local school-system directory, 2026 Maryland School Report Card, State Board appeals, Ombudsman resources, nondiscrimination procedure, educator licensure/TEACH, graduation and transfer-student regulations, service-learning requirements, MCAP/EOC guidance, special education dispute resolution, State Board policies/legal opinions, COMAR regulatory resources, Maryland Public Information Act guidance and Blueprint resources checked August 17, 2026.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an independent informational guide. It is not the Maryland State Board of Education, Maryland State Department of Education or a Maryland local public school system. Official State, MSDE and local-system policies, records, notices, filing instructions and decisions always take priority.