Opportunity to Comment on Maryland's Request for a Waiver to Assess Speaking and Listening Assessments for school years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017

On March 2, 2016, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) sent Chief State School Officers a letter providing States the opportunity to request a limited waiver of the requirement that its assessment system cover the full range of its academic content standards for speaking and listening, if the State has adopted those as part of its reading/language arts standards. Maryland has adopted speaking and listening components as part of its reading/language arts standards. The ​Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Assessments measure many aspects that are key to the speaking and listening standards​ through multimedia texts to measure comprehension for students taking its tests online. In order to ensure that Maryland has the necessary waiver should this measure not meet the need for all students or all standards, Maryland is requesting a limited waiver of the requirement that its assessment system cover the full range of its academic content standards for speaking and listening. This bulletin is to provide notice and an opportunity for comment. Should you have any comments or concerns please contact Mary Gable at mary.gable@maryland.gov by April 8, 2016.


Maryland Assessment and Accountability Waiver Related to Title III Annual Measurable Achievement Objective (AMAO) 3

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking input on a request for a waiver of section 3122(a)(3)(A)(iii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) on behalf of the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that receive Title III subgrants. As described in detail (see link below), the U.S. Department of Education is providing states the opportunity to request a waiver that will impact a very specific aspect of accountability for English Learners (ELs), allowing LEAs to maintain their status and continue the same level of sanctions from the 2014-15 school year in 2015-16. If MSDE does not apply for the waiver, the LEAs that do not meet the annual measurable objectives on the new state assessment will be required to implement the next level of sanctions. The purpose of this notice is to provide anyone interested with an opportunity to comment on the request. Please submit comments to Mary Gable, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Academic Policy and Innovation, at mary.gable@maryland.gov no later than November 6, 2015.

Maryland Assessment and Accountability Waiver Related to Title III AMAO 3
(10/23/15)

Maryland's ESEA Flexibility Renewal:

Maryland's ESEA Flexibility Renewal Request was approved by the U. S. Department of Education on July 23, 2015.

   • USDE Approval Letter (7/23/15)

   • Maryland's ESEA Flexibility Renewal Request (6/24/15)

   • Maryland's ESEA Flexibility Renewal Appendix (6/24/15)


Maryland to Apply for Three Year Renewal of ESEA Flexibility Waiver

The U.S. Department of Education has provided states with the opportunity to apply for a Renewal of their ESEA Flexibility Plan.

   • ESEA Flexibility Renewal Powerpoint (02/24/15)

ESEA Flexibility Extension Approval

On July 18, 2014 Maryland received approval from USDE for our Flexibility Extension Request that is described below.

   • Approval Letter

   • Maryland Approved ESEA Flexibility Request

ESEA Flexibility Extension Request

On May 29, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) approved Maryland's request for ESEA Flexibility for the 2012-2013 and the 2013-2014 school years. USED provided all ESEA Flexibility States with the opportunity to apply for an Extension to this ESEA Flexibility for the 2014-2015 school year. Maryland sought to extend ESEA flexibility through the end of the 2014–2015 school year because the implementation of the flexibility has enhanced the ability of MSDE and the local school systems to increase the quality of instruction for all students as well as improve their achievement levels. The waiver has allowed Maryland to target resources and implement rigorous interventions in our low performing schools. Maryland believes that the flexibility of the waiver has allowed the State and its LEAs to focus on implementing the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards, transition to the College and Career-Ready PARCC Assessments, provide support, recognition, and intervention to all Maryland public schools, and develop a teacher and principal evaluation system that incorporates student growth as a major component.

As part of the extension process, Maryland proposed changes to its currently approved ESEA flexibility request. Below please find the following documents which were submitted to the U.S. Department of Education on March 25, 2014 with our Flexibility Extension Request:

(1) Maryland's ESEA Extension Request Letter

(2) Completed Amendment Template for Teacher Principal Evaluation

(3) Teacher Principal Evaluation (TPE) Amendment

(4) Redline of Maryland's ESEA Request

(5) Letter Requesting an additional waiver

ESEA Flexibility

As allowed by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the Maryland State Department of Education received approval for flexibility from adhering to certain federal requirements for our public education system. The Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA), commonly referred to as "No Child Left Behind," was created a decade ago to establish an accountability system that focused on accountability, improving standards, and eliminating achievement gaps. However, the consequences of NCLB prohibited some states from developing new and innovative reforms. As a result, USDE offered states flexibility around twelve of the provisions of NCLB. Maryland submitted its plan in February 2012 and was approved on May 29, 2012. Maryland is one of 34 states and the District of Columbia to receive approval on its Flexibility Request.

Maryland's ESEA Flexibility Accountability Addendum
(Approved by the U. S. Department of Education,
November 13, 2013):

The ESEA Flexibility Accountability Addendum which is included below replaces Maryland's existing accountability workbook under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). In conjunction with Maryland's approved ESEA flexibility request which is also included below, the Accountability Addendum provides comprehensive information regarding the elements of the Maryland' system of differentiated recognition, accountability and support.

Maryland ESEA Flexibility Accountability Addendum Letter

Maryland ESEA Flexibility Accountability Addendum