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Mrs. Melaika Brown
Elementary Supervisor

Mrs. Jaclynn Lightsey
Secondary Supervisor

Phone: 240-740-4006

English Language Arts Staff

Maryland State Department of Education PreK-3 Comprehensive Literacy Policy

Changes Coming to Reading Instruction in Maryland

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Maryland is rolling out a new literacy policy to help all children become strong readers by the end of 3rd grade. Teachers will use research-based methods, called the Science of Reading, to build skills like phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

For children struggling with reading, families will be notified in clear, easy-to-understand language, and invited to help create a personalized reading improvement plan. The goal is to catch reading challenges early—and give every child the support they need to succeed.

These changes will grow over the next few years, with full reading support and promotion plans in place by the 2027–2028 school year.


What This Policy Is About

Maryland is working to make sure all children can read well by the end of 3rd grade. This new literacy plan focuses on improving how reading is taught in schools starting in Pre-K through 3rd grade using research-based methods known as the Science of Reading.

Read the full policy here


Why It Matters

Reading scores in Maryland have dropped over the years, and too many children—especially those from low-income families, multilingual learners, and students of color—are falling behind. This plan aims to change that.


What Will Be Different in Classrooms

  • Teachers will be trained in new, proven ways to teach reading.
  • Reading programs will include key skills like:
    • Sound awareness
    • Phonics
    • Vocabulary
    • Fluency
    • Comprehension
  • All materials must be high-quality and not use old methods like “guessing the word” based on pictures.

How Student Progress Will Be Checked

  • All students will take universal reading screeners 3 times a year (fall, winter, spring).
  • If a child shows signs of struggling, they will:
    • Get extra help (intervention)
    • Receive a personal reading improvement plan (called a SRIP)
    • Parents will be informed in clear, easy-to-understand language.

Parent Involvement

  • Parents/Caregivers will receive a letter if your child is struggling with reading.
  • Parents/Caregivers will be invited to help create a plan to support your child.

When This Will Happen

  • Initial teacher training start: 2024–2025 school year
  • Parent notification plans in place: 2026–2027
  • Reading-based promotion process begins: 2027–2028