Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 2 - Evaluation and Graduation of Students
Section 7-203.4 - Comprehensive Support and Improvement Plans

(a)    (1)    For each public school identified by the Department for comprehensive support and improvement, the county board shall develop and implement a Comprehensive Support and Improvement Plan to improve student outcomes at the school.
        (2)    The plan developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:
            (i)    Be developed in consultation with principals, parents, local community leaders, local employer leaders, local government leaders, teachers, school staff, and the exclusive bargaining representative;
            (ii)    Include the school quality indicators described under § 7–203(c) of this subtitle;
            (iii)    Include evidence–based interventions;
            (iv)    Be based on school–level needs assessments; and
            (v)    Identify resource inequities and budgetary needs.
        (3)    The school, county board, and the Department shall approve the plan.
        (4)    The Department shall monitor and annually review the plan.
    (b)    (1)    For each public school identified by the Department for targeted support and improvement, the school shall develop and implement a Targeted Support and Improvement Plan to improve student outcomes at the school.
        (2)    The plan developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall meet the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section.
        (3)    The county board shall monitor and annually review the plan.
    (c)    Plans developed under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section shall be implemented in compliance with existing collective bargaining agreements between the county board and the exclusive bargaining representative.
    (d)    The Department shall distribute federal funds for the implementation of plans developed under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section based on a formula and driven by the identified needs of each school identified by the Department.
    (e)    (1)    After a 2–year period from the date of a plan’s implementation under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section, if a county board determines that student outcomes have not improved at a public school, the county board shall consult with the school to develop additional strategies and interventions including funding, community supports, and grants provided in the Public School Opportunities Enhancement Program.
        (2)    Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order, a plan under this section may include a lengthening of the school year beyond 180 days or any other limitation.
        (3)    Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Department to require a county board to implement a specific intervention strategy.
    (f)    (1)    After a 3–year period from the date of a plan’s implementation under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of this section, if the Department determines that student outcomes have not improved at a public school and intervention is necessary, the Department shall collaborate with the county board in determining the appropriate intervention strategy, subject to existing collective bargaining agreements between the county board and the exclusive bargaining representative.
        (2)    An intervention strategy determined under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not include:
            (i)    Creating a State–run school district;
            (ii)    Creating a local school system in addition to the 24 school systems established in this article;
            (iii)    Converting or creating a new public school without local board approval;
            (iv)    Issuing scholarships to public school students to attend nonpublic schools through direct vouchers, tax credit programs, or education savings accounts; and
            (v)    Contracting with a for–profit company.
        (3)    A decision of the Department under this subsection is final.