As college football season kicks off, one educator finds inspiration in the strategic decisions made by coaches on the field. Reflecting on the importance of leadership in education, she suggests that policymakers could benefit from taking timeouts to reassess their game plan and realign their goals.
Specifically, she points to the implementation of Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future and its teacher career ladder models. While districts have worked hard on these models, they may not yet represent the transformative change envisioned by the Kirwan Commission, which aimed to provide new pathways for career advancement and professional development for teachers.
The educator offers five considerations for the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) members and staff to contemplate during a potential timeout. These include assessing whether the career ladder models increase interest in the teaching profession, provide opportunities for high-quality professional development, support excellent classroom instruction, offer innovative compensation plans, and demonstrate the soundness of the investment in public education.
The AIB members and staff are commended for their efforts in implementing the Blueprint despite challenges, but the educator emphasizes the importance of ensuring success in each component of the legislation for overall success. She urges the AIB to approve career ladder models that align with the aspirations of the Kirwan Commission and the spirit of the Blueprint to revitalize interest in the teaching profession.
In conclusion, the educator stresses the importance of making impactful decisions during timeouts and expresses hope for the AIB and Blueprint to be true game changers in education.
Source
Photo credit marylandmatters.org