Education in Maryland

Education in Maryland

Legislative Handbook Series

Volume IX

2014

For further information concerning this document contact:

Library and Information Services

Office of Policy Analysis

Department of Legislative Services

90 State Circle

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Baltimore Area: 410-946-5400 ¡ñ Washington Area: 301-970-5400

Other Areas: 1-800-492-7122, Extension 5400

TTY: 410-946-5401 ¡ñ 301-970-5401

TTY users may also use the Maryland Relay Service

to contact the General Assembly.

Email: libr@mlis.state.md.us

Home Page:

The Department of Legislative Services does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color,

creed, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or

disability in the admission or access to its programs, services, or activities. The Department's

Information Officer has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination

requirements contained in Section 35.107 of the Department of Justice Regulations. Requests for

assistance should be directed to the Information Officer at the telephone numbers shown above.

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Foreword

Education is one of the key functions of government. Providing every citizen with

the opportunity to receive a quality education is considered by many the most important

function of government. From early education through college and beyond, education

affects everyone. An educated citizenry enables the democratic form of government to

flourish through an engaged civic life. An educated workforce that meets the needs of

businesses creates jobs, growth, and prosperity.

Over 1.1 million students enroll in public schools, colleges, and universities in

Maryland every year. An additional 190,000 students are enrolled in private schools and

higher education institutions across the State with varying degrees of government support.

Early childhood education serves nearly 50,000 children in publicly funded programs

through prekindergarten. In addition, licensed or registered child care providers serve

approximately 220,000 children and their parents, primarily through private providers with

some government assistance.

State government plays a key role in public education. Providing a free, public

education is a constitutional obligation of the State of Maryland. The State provides more

than $6.1 billion for preK-12 education. State support for higher education exceeds

$1.8 billion. In total, State funding for education represents nearly 50% of the State budget.

Local governments provide substantial operating funding for preK-12 and community

colleges, while the federal government provides funding primarily targeted at certain

populations or initiatives, such as special education and financial assistance to low-income

students.

This is the second edition of this handbook. It provides an overview of the structure,

services, and funding of education across the continuum from early childhood to

postsecondary education. The responsibilities of local, State, and federal government and

data on enrollment, funding, and student performance are provided for each level of

education. The handbook also summarizes the policies that shape education.

This is the ninth in a series of nine volumes of the 2014 Legislative Handbook Series

prepared prior to the start of the General Assembly term by the staff of the Office of Policy

Analysis, Department of Legislative Services. The material for this volume was researched

and written by Sara Baker, Caroline Boice, Sara Fidler, Stacy Goodman, Garret Halbach,

Kate Henry, Tiffany Johnson, Rebecca Ruff, and Dana Tagalicod. Scott Gates and

Trevor Owen assisted with State and local funding data collection and analysis.

Erika Schissler coordinated and reviewed the volume along with Sara Fidler, with

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additional review by Rachel Hise, Susan Russell, and John Rohrer. A special thanks to

Alicia Rummings and Judy Callahan, who prepared and finalized the manuscript.

The Department of Legislative Services trusts that this volume will be a useful

introduction to Education in Maryland.

Karl S. Aro

Executive Director

Department of Legislative Services

Maryland General Assembly

Annapolis, Maryland

November 2014

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