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A grassroots organization that advocates for education equity in Maryland could soon be in a jurisdiction near you to talk about the education reform plan.

The staff with Strong Schools Maryland has already visited four counties this summer 鈥� Dorchester, Anne Arundel, Garrett and Prince George鈥檚 鈥� to talk about the Blueprint plan with residents at local events. The 鈥榮 next stops are in Caroline County on Wednesday, Wicomico County on Thursday and Carroll County on Saturday.

At least three more are scheduled for later this month: in Baltimore County on July 17, Kent County on July 18 and Baltimore City on July 23.

Riya Gupta, policy researcher with Strong Schools Maryland, said the goal is to visit the remaining 14 counties in the state this summer.

One aspect learned so far: Some people still don鈥檛 know much about the Blueprint.

鈥淲e鈥檙e meeting them where they are,鈥� Gupta said. 鈥淲e are partnering with local organizations that are already hosting events in their counties 鈥� to create presence there, share resources, tell people about what we do.鈥�

The organization was a leading advocate in passage of the Blueprint when it became law three years ago.

One requirement in the Blueprint plan that Strong Schools supports deals with community schools, which receive a concentration of poverty grants and partner with local organizations to help educators, parents and a child鈥檚 family. Some of the services include before- or after-school tutoring, English-language learner courses and food pantries.

A state law that took effect this month outlines the responsibilities of a community school coordinator. That person must determine what type of wraparound services certain students may need, develop an implementation plan and coordinate programs 鈥渢hat address out-of-school learning barriers鈥� for students and families.

Gupta said her organization has heard complaints that some community school coordinators are asked to help with teaching and other administrative duties.

鈥淭hey are doing the jobs of teachers and staff when they have a full job of making sure the community school is running,鈥� she said.

After Strong Schools Maryland completes its summer tour, the plan is to put together a report and submit it to state lawmakers, the Maryland State Board of Education, the Blueprint for Maryland鈥檚 Future Accountability and Implementation Board, and other stakeholders.

The organization has a message for those who believe the 10-year plan that is slated to invest billions of dollars annually into education is too expensive.

鈥淥ur students are worth it,鈥� Gupta said. 鈥淲e know we have underinvested in our students, specifically our Black and brown students, our students with disabilities, our multi-lingual learners. They鈥檙e our future generations that are going to lead our state and our country. The only way to make them more well-equipped is to invest in them.鈥�

is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected]. Follow Maryland Matters on and .

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