Maryland

Maryland doubles down on science of reading with new literacy plan

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Maryland doubles down on science of reading with new literacy plan

The state education board is doubling down on Maryland’s efforts to push the science of reading.

The board on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution that would require all schools to have research-backed instruction by next school year, and also set an ambitious goal for Maryland to be one of the top 10 states for fourth grade reading.

“It’s not acceptable that we have more than half of our children that aren’t reading-proficient by the end of third grade, so we’ve got to create a sense of urgency about this,” said Carey Wright, the interim state superintendent. “And if we get close, and we may not meet that goal, then think of how many of the children will have benefited by us really doubling down.”

The Baltimore Banner reported last fall that Maryland schools have taught reading the wrong way for decades.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

In recent years, the state has taken steps to make up for it. Lawmakers passed a bill that requires young students to be screened for reading difficulties. Officials also created a grant program that will give millions to school systems if they show evidence of science-of-reading practices, deployed evaluators to observe literacy instruction in elementary schools, and required school systems to outline their science-of-reading plans for the Blueprint, the landmark education reform measure.

School systems in the state and around the country are now embracing science of reading. They include Anne Arundel County, which was one of the last districts to adopt it hop on board. While there were opportunities to buy in, nothing was required. However, with the state’s new resolution, science of reading will be harder to avoid. It also makes the push for the researched-backed instruction to be a much more urgent matter, state school officials said.

The science of reading is an instruction practice that embraces phonological awareness (the way letters sound), phonics, comprehension, vocabulary and knowledge of the world.

The resolution directs Wright to create a framework around a comprehensive literacy plan that will result in kids reading by third grade.

It’s work she’s familiar with. She was Mississippi’s state superintendent when that state turned around its reading scores, moving from one of the lowest-ranked states to outranking Maryland and coming close to the national average.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

“All we need to do is just double down with making sure that children are learning through the science of reading, our teachers are supported, our leaders are supported and we’re transparent about data collection,” Wright said at Tuesday’s meeting.

She wants a transparent way for parents and educators to see how well students are reading and how they compare to others.

“I want to make sure we are not masking the results for children,” Wright said. “I want to make sure we are producing our results by subgroup, so that everybody is very clear about which subgroups may need more intervention than others.”

She emphasized the need for teachers, instructional assistants, speech pathologists and even principals to be trained in the science of reading. She also stressed that science-of-reading instruction should start with the youngest learners in pre-K, and that coaches should be brought in to train teachers in proper reading instruction.

Maryland officials are going to review the statewide test as well as the state’s English Language Arts standards, which Wright said haven’t been updated since around 2008, to make sure they are aligned to the science of reading.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

The state will partner with colleges and universities to make sure teacher preparation programs include a focus on science-of-reading instruction. And educators will engage more with parents so they know, for instance, the strategies teachers are using in the classroom, to help guide their efforts at home.

Maryland won’t interfere with instructional materials. Local school districts can still pick the curriculum they want as long as it’s aligned to the science of reading. School staff can check the curriculum review site, EdReports, to make sure it is, Wright said.

Board president Clarence Crawford said the resolution was personal to him because he’s dyslexic and couldn’t read when he graduated high school.

“When I learned to read, it opened so many doors and avenues,” Crawford said. “We’re talking about doing something that will radically change outcomes for children.”

Maryland’s reading scores have taken a dip in the past decade. In 2013, the state’s fourth grade reading scores were second in the nation on the gold-standard National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. Today, the state ranks 40th. The 2023 state test results show that only 48% of Maryland’s third graders are proficient in English Language Arts.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

The board wants to change that and set a goal, per the resolution, to rank as one of the top 10 states in reading on the fourth grade and eighth grade NAEP exams by 2027.

“The reality is, right now, we’re not preparing our elementary school students very well to read,” said Joshua Michael, the state board’s vice president, who is also a financial supporter of The Banner. “This goal also helps us realize we’re not where we think we are or where we want to be.”

Wright’s literacy plan will be released in the summer. It will include the goal of having literacy plans for all school systems in place by the next school year, 2024-25.

“It is ambitious,” Wright said. “It is robust. But it is doable.”

Kristen Griffith is an education reporter covering Baltimore County.

More from Kristen Griffith

Source link

Related Topics:Featured featured-extrawide

Click to comment

Maryland

Open Thread: IU basketball travels to Maryland seeking first road win

Published

10 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Open Thread: IU basketball travels to Maryland seeking first road win

IU basketball is back on the road tonight in College Park to take on Maryland at the Xfinity Center. The Hoosiers are 0-2 in true road games this season.

Today’s meeting with Maryland will be the 25th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Hoosiers lead the series 14-10.

Whether you’re in Xfinity Center for the game or watching from home, join in with your thoughts in the comments below.

Who: Indiana at Maryland
Where: Xfinity Center, College Park, Maryland
When: Wednesday, January 7, 2025. 6:30 p.m. EST
TV: BTN, Jason Horowitz, Steve Smith
Radio: Don Fischer (Play-By-Play), Errek Suhr (Analyst)
Series Record: Indiana leads 14-10
Last Meeting: Maryland 79, Indiana 78 on January 26, 2025, in Bloomington
The line: Indiana -8.5, O/U 147.5 (DraftKings)
KenPom: Indiana 77, Maryland 70

See More: Media, Maryland Terrapins

Source link

Maryland

Maryland Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Jan. 6, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Maryland Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Jan. 6, 2026

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

09-39-47-58-68, Mega Ball: 24

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 6-9-4

Evening: 6-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 4-7-6-9

Evening: 3-5-8-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 2-0-8-7-1

Evening: 0-1-0-8-1

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

23-24-32-57-58, Cash Ball: 02

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

9 a.m.: 06

1 p.m.: 07

6 p.m.: 03

11 p.m.: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

04-12-15-35-36, Bonus: 19

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Maryland Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes above $600, winners can claim by mail or in person from the Maryland Lottery office, an Expanded Cashing Authority Program location or cashiers’ windows at Maryland casinos. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed in person.

Claiming by Mail

Sign your winning ticket and complete a claim form. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID and a copy of a document that shows proof of your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number. Mail these to:

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

For prizes over $600, bring your signed ticket, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security or Federal Tax ID number to Maryland Lottery headquarters, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD. Claims are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This location handles all prize amounts, including prizes over $5,000.

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Maryland Lottery headquarters and select Maryland casinos can redeem winning tickets valued up to $25,000. Note that casinos cannot cash prizes over $600 for non-resident and resident aliens (tax ID beginning with “9”). You must be at least 21 years of age to enter a Maryland casino. Locations include:

Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Maryland

What to Expect: IU basketball travels to Maryland

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

What to Expect: IU basketball travels to Maryland

Indiana is back on the road for a matchup with Maryland on Wednesday night at the Xfinity Center. The Hoosiers, winners of three straight, are in search of their first road win this season.

The Terrapins are 7-7 and 0-3 under first-year coach Buzz Williams. Wednesday’s game is set for a 6:30 p.m. ET tipoff on BTN:

After a Sweet Sixteen appearance last season, Maryland was forced to completely flip its roster in the offseason when Kevin Willard left College Park for Villanova.

Injuries and inconsistent play have the Terps off to a slow start in the first season of the Buzz Williams era. Maryland is currently projected to finish 12-19 and 5-15 in the Big Ten, per KenPom.com.

Indiana, meanwhile, has been excellent at home and poor away from Bloomington. The Hoosiers beat a bad Marquette team in Chicago by 23 early in the season, but have lost their other three games away from Assembly Hall. IU fell by 9 to Minnesota, by 9 to Louisville in Indianapolis and by 12 to Kentucky in Lexington.

Winning on the road in the Big Ten is difficult, but the Hoosiers have solid opportunities for success away from Bloomington this month with trips to Maryland and Rutgers.

MEET THE TERRAPINS

Maryland’s leading scorer, big man Pharrel Payne, has missed three straight games after suffering a knee injury in a loss to Michigan in College Park on Dec. 13. Payne also missed a game on Nov. 19 against Mount St. Mary’s with a hip injury. Williams has not provided a definitive update on Payne’s status.

If he’s able to play, he’s a game-changer for the Terps with his 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game.

Without Payne, Maryland is playing an undersized, guard-heavy lineup. Its two leading backcourt scorers are Kansas transfer David Coit, a senior, and freshman Darius Adams, who originally signed with UConn but reopened his recruitment and signed with the Terps last spring.

Coit (13.3 ppg) is a 5-foot-11 lead guard who has connected on a team-leading 37 3-pointers while shooting 42.5 percent from distance. He made eight 3-pointers in a 101-83 loss to No. 2 Michigan on Dec. 13. He’s also an excellent free-throw shooter (92.5 percent) and is the guy to circle on the scouting report for the Hoosiers. Strong closeouts and running Coit off the 3-point line are key for Indiana’s defense. Coit has started eight of Maryland’s 14 games but has come off the bench in the last two contests.

Adams, a 6-foot-5 native of New Jersey who finished his high school career at La Lumiere, has been a high-volume, low-efficiency player through the first 14 games of his career. Adams is third on the roster in scoring at 12.5 points per game but is shooting 36.8 percent on 2s and 25.4 percent on 3s.

Darius Adams and David Coit shot chart.

(Shot charts via UMHoops.com)

The rotation also features Washington State transfer Isaiah Watts, freshman Andre Mills and Indiana transfer Myles Rice.

The 6-foot-4 Mills is the leading scorer of that trio and has started 11 of 14 games. The No. 119 player in the 247Sports Composite in the 2024 class, Mills redshirted the 2024-25 season at Texas A&M and followed Williams to Maryland.

He has taken roughly half of his field goal attempts from distance and is shooting 26.3 percent on 3-pointers. Mills, who averages 8.9 points, has scored in double figures seven times and had a season-high 16 points against Alcorn State on November 11.

Watts spent the last two seasons at Washington State, where he was a teammate of Rice back in the 2023-24 campaign. He’s scored 28 points over the team’s last two games, which are two of his three double-figure scoring games this season. Watts averages 6.2 points and shoots 32.7 percent from distance.

Rice missed time early in the season with an ankle injury and has made three starts across 10 games. He’s 8-for-21 from distance (38.1 percent), 16-for-40 on 2s (40 percent) and has missed one of his 24 free throw attempts.

Andre Mills and Isaiah Watts shot chart.

Up front, the Terps go with 6-foot-7 senior Solomon Washington, a Texas A&M transfer, and 6-foot-8 senior Elijah Saunders, a Virginia transfer.

Washington missed the first eight games of the season with an ankle injury but made his season debut against Wagner on December 2. He’s scored in double figures three times in six games and had a season-high 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots in a 64-54 home loss to Oregon on January 2. Washington has 23 offensive rebounds in six games and has to be accounted for when shots go up. Washington is averaging 10 points and nine rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game.

Saunders began his career at San Diego State, where he was a part of NCAA tournament teams in 2023 and 2024. He’s capable of stretching the floor – 15-for-39 on 3s – but isn’t a great finisher in the paint. Saunders is shooting just 46.2 percent on 2s.

Freshman George Turkson, a 6-foot-7 forward, has started two games and had eight points in 32 minutes in the Michigan loss. And 6-foot-9 senior Collin Metcalf, a transfer from Northeastern, plays spot minutes in the frontcourt but has scored just 10 points total across 13 games.

TEMPO-FREE PREVIEW

(All national rankings in parentheses through Monday’s games.)

Tempo-free stats preview for IU-Maryland.

The Maryland offensive profile shows a high-volume 3-point shooting team that is below average in its percentage. Maryland is taking 44.9 percent of its field goal attempts from distance, ranking 81st nationally, and shooting 32.8 percent from deep, ranking 211th nationally.

Pounding the offensive glass and getting to the free-throw line are keys for Maryland. The Terps rank 103rd in offensive rebounding percentage and 28th in free-throw rate (FTA/FGA).

Maryland is generating 26.3 percent of its points from the line, which is eighth-best in the country. Defending without fouling will be pivotal for IU’s success, which has been a problem away from home. Minnesota got to the line 27 times against IU, Louisville 28 times, and Kentucky had 38 free throw attempts.

Defensively, Maryland does a solid job forcing turnovers, ranking 83rd nationally in opponent turnover percentage. Opponents are shooting 36.9 percent on 3s (315th nationally) and 52.9 percent (221st nationally), which means the Hoosiers will have opportunities for quality looks. In IU’s three losses, it is shooting 23-for-85 (27.1 percent) from 3.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO

The KenPom projection has Indiana by seven with a 73 percent chance of victory and Bart Torvik has the Hoosiers by 10 with an 82 percent chance of victory.

If Payne returns, the Terps will be a different team in the frontcourt and will present significant problems on the offensive glass. Even if he remains sidelined, Indiana’s play away from Bloomington this season suggests this game will be more difficult than the analytics project.

Simply put, the Hoosiers have not yet proven they can win on the road and haven’t been able to shoot the ball well or keep opponents off the free-throw line in their losses. Life on the road in the Big Ten is difficult but if the Hoosiers aspire to be an NCAA tournament team, this is a game they need to win.

(Photo credit: Maryland Athletics)

See More: Commentary, Maryland Terrapins

Source link