Curriculum proposals
Maryland code requires local school systems to implement curricula that align with the state’s standards for students to be college- or career-ready. Although curriculum decisions fall to local school systems, Maryland lawmakers often propose changes to the state’s educational framework.
For example, some lawmakers are concentrating on updating the Maryland State Department of Education’s comprehensive health education framework. Proposed legislation says each local board of education would need to establish a committee of educators, health experts and community members to review and comment on whether curriculum materials are consistent with the state’s framework.
The bill comes at a time when LGBTQ-inclusive education and topics such as gender identity are being challenged around the country.
Maryland schools are required to teach age-appropriate lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation, though parents or guardians may opt their students out of such lessons. Maryland students may not opt out of instruction concerning menstruation. The bill would go on to prevent families from opting their student out of education related to HIV and AIDS prevention.
Another bill introduced this session would require the State Board of Education to develop curriculum content for a high school half-credit course in financial literacy, including lessons on creating a budget, saving money, debt, investments and amortization, as well as simple and compound interest.
Lawmakers also are considering a bill requiring state-funded schools to teach a unit on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. A similar bill was proposed during the 2022 legislative session but did not pass.
Baltimore County Republican Sen. Johnny Ray Salling, who is sponsoring the Sept. 11 bill, said in a statement Tuesday that young people need to be aware of the “heroism and sacrifices as well as the consequences” of the attacks, citing the resulting security measures and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.