The release of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book offers a clear window into how Maryland’s children and families are faring. With an overall score of 616, Maryland ranks 19th in the nation for child well-being. While our
This year’s legislative session, which ended in mid-April, brought few changes to Maryland’s school funding landscape. Most school districts will see increases in state funding during the next school year, and lawmakers made minor legislative changes to keep Maryland’s education
Educating Maryland’s children is one of the most important responsibilities of our state government, and this year has tested policymakers’ commitment to providing public schools the resources they need. Responding to unprecedented fiscal challenges, Gov. Wes Moore in January proposed
Maryland’s children and families have seen areas of significant economic progress and lingering educational challenges since 2019, the year prior to the start of the pandemic, both of which underscores the effectiveness of state and federal policies as well as
Gov. Moore’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025–June 2026) makes a significant dent in the state’s looming shortfalls, with similar-sized contributions from tax reforms and budget cuts. The plan takes several positive steps to crack down on corporate
When Maryland students return to school this fall, it will be the state’s second year phasing in the historic Blueprint for Maryland’s Future school funding reform. Both Gov. Moore’s budget proposal and the adopted state budget faithfully implement the Blueprint
Maryland families are facing a wide range of challenges, such as the high cost of essentials like child care and housing, and that is affecting the well-being of children across the state. Maryland ranks 21st in child well-being according to
State budget documents revealed a sharp increase in the number of public school students qualifying for free and reduced-price school meals after the state changed the method it uses to determine eligibility. More than 110,000 students in Maryland’s public schools
As the first standardized test scores reported since the start of the COVID pandemic show more Maryland students struggling with math and reading, it is more important than ever that the state maintain the commitments it made to students through
Maryland ranks 19th in child well-being according to the 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, just released by The Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Kids Count data book, released annually (this is the 33rd edition), is a 50-state report of recent
