This summer, the Kirwan Commission will be conducting meetings in Annapolis. Chaired by William “Brit” Kirwan, former chancellor of the University of Maryland System, the Commission is composed of 25 members representing various interests across the state.
The official charge of the commission is to:
1. Review the Study on Adequacy of Funding for Education in the State of Mayland (Augenblick Adequacy study) and its recommendations
-How poverty in the schools is measured
-The potential of expanding Pre-K
-Achieving greater equity in school finance and local wealth measures
-The appropriate regional cost of education (GCEI or another measure)
2. Make recommendations for updating the base per-pupil amount and the per pupil weights for students with special needs
3. Determine how the state can better prepare students for postsecondary education and to be competitive in the workforce and with other high performing countries in the global econom
4. Address the impact of high concentrations of poverty on local school systems
5. Make “any other recommendations on legislation and policy initiatives to enhance the availability of innovative educational opportunities and to enhance the adequacy and equity of State funding for prekindergarten through grade 12 public education in the State.”
Catch up on previous Kirwan Commission meeting agendas, minutes and videos by clicking here.
Kirwan Commission Summer Sessions
| Day/Date | Time | Full Commission | Location | Working Group* (See explanation below) |
| Thursday, June 28th *Baltimore Teachers Day at the Kirwan Commission |
9:30am-5:00pm |
(1) Overview of School-based and community-based health, mental and social services for school-age children;
(2) Review Revised Policy Area 5 Elements and Cost Assumptions |
Room 120 of the House Office Building unless otherwise specified | Groups 1, 3 and 4 |
| Thursday, July 12th | 9:30am-5:00pm *Session from 12:30pm-5:00pm |
(1) Update from MSDE on Implementation of HB 1415
(2) Review Cost Estimates/Savings for Policy Area 5 |
Room 120 of the House Office Building unless otherwise specified | Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4 |
| Friday, July 13th *TBD if needed |
Room 120 of the House Office Building unless otherwise specified | Review Revised Cost Estimates/Savings and Finalize Elements Groups 2, 3 & 4 | ||
| Wednesday, August 15th | 9:30am-5:00pm | Working Group 1 and 2 Recommendations to Full Commission and Discussion | Room 120 of the House Office Building unless otherwise specified | |
| Thursday, August 23rd | 9:30am-5:00pm | Working Group 3 and 4 Recommendations to Full Commission and Discussion |
Room 120 of the House Office Building unless otherwise specified | |
| Wednesday, September 5th | 9:30am-5:00pm | Draft Final Policy and Funding Recommendations-Discussion | Room 120 of the House Office Building unless otherwise specified | |
| TBD September, October (possibly November) | Determine Distribution of Funding, Revise State Aid Funding Formulas, etc. | TBD |
*Working Groups Descriptions:
Working Group 1: Early Childhood Education
Working Group 2: High Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders
Working Group 3: College and Career Readiness Pathways (includes Career and Technical Education (CTE) Subgroup)
Working Group 4: More Resources for At-Risk Students