Maryland schools made nation-leading strides in their recovery from students’ learning loss in the pandemic, according to new data.

They ranked third in the nation in their students’ reading recovery rates, and were fifth in math recovery, according to the 2025 Education Scorecard from Harvard and Stanford Universities and Dartmouth College.

D.C. led the U.S. in math and reading recovery.

The data was presented at the Maryland State Board of Education meeting Thursday.

Trish Brennan-Gac, executive director of literacy nonprofit Maryland READS, said the state board is correct to celebrate gains in reading, but proficiency is “nowhere near where we need to be.”

“It is not that we are No. 3-ranked in reading proficiency,” she told WTOP. “It’s a rate of change, and we are making a faster rate of change,” than most school districts nationally.

Brennan-Gac was at the meeting to ask that the state board consider ways to reduce the use of technology in classroom instruction and support a return to print and textbooks in schools.

“This is no longer a fringe concern. It is a growing movement, and it’s not about social media and phones,” she told the board.

Brennan-Gac said the board and Maryland schools superintendent Carey Wright can take a “visible meaningful leadership role.”

“You can develop transition guidance and funding pathways for districts that are ready to move now, and send a clear signal to the field that Maryland prioritizes developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to brain research that shows how books, not tech-based platforms, are effective in wiring kids’ brains for reading,” she said.

The Maryland State Department of Education has issued guidance to school districts on the use of cellphones in schools, and this year issued guidance on the use of artificial intelligence. In both instances, the state has made clear that it leaves implementation of policies to individual school districts.

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Gov. Wes Moore has requested a federal disaster declaration to help farmers recover from their losses after temperatures dipped into the 20s in April, devastating some of Maryland’s agriculture industry.

Temperatures dipped into the low to mid 20s for several hours, causing widespread damage to crops, wine grapes, berries, peaches and apples in some parts of the state.

“We had 6, 7 hours I believe here under 32 and that’s just a lot of stress on those small fruits and buds,” said Ben Butler, the farm manager of Butler’s Orchard in Germantown back in April.

Moore asked for the U.S. agriculture secretary to declare a federal disaster using Maryland Farm Service Agency data to back up the request. According to the agency, there were historic losses, including 94% of the apple crop, 99% of the peach crop and 98% of the barley in several jurisdictions.

The Maryland Wineries Association says 36% of grape acreage sustained total losses, with a $24.4 million projected deficit in wine sales for the 2026 vintage.

“For the majority of the varieties, the yield, the 2026 crop yield, will essentially be zero,” said Robert Butz, the owner of Windridge Vineyards.

The hours-long deep freeze in April left grapes at Windridge Vineyards in Germantown dead on the vine.

News4 visited Windridge Vineyards just a few days after the disaster. Butz said not only were there grape losses, some of the vines were damaged as well. He called the devastation “catastrophic.”

It’s challenging, but he said he’s pleased with the support being given to local farmers and the disaster declaration request.

“This announcement by the governor is further evidence of that, right,” Butz said. “Marylanders care about their farmers. That’s great.It’s incredibly gratifying for those who do this work.”

Moore is asking the agriculture secretary for a quick decision so emergency loans and relief programs are made available right away so farmers can prepare for the next growing season.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. — Five candidates are running to replace Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, with four Democrats competing for their party’s nomination ahead of the Maryland primary.

Republican Dave Crawford is the only candidate on the GOP side, meaning he automatically advances from the primary. Democratic voters, however, face a choice between four candidates: county council members Allison Pickard and Pete Smith, Pittman administration Special Assistant James Kitchin, and city and regional planner Kyle Nembhard.

Pickard is serving her second term as councilwoman for the Second District.

“I’m excited to move forward into the executive branch where we really get to execute and implement, uh, all of the policies that we’ve put forth,” Pickard said.

Smith has served on the county council for 14 years on and off.

“You will see that there is a crystal clear option in this race, uh, when you look at our resume when you judge me on my report card, you will see that I’ve been doing my homework for this county for the last 14 years,” Smith said.

Kitchin has served as special assistant in the Pittman administration for the past 7 years.

“I have the most relevant experience and I am the most ready on day one to come in and create a smooth transition from the Pittman administration into the next 4 years,” Kitchin said.

Nembhard has worked as a city and regional planner in the transportation field since 2002.

“I am literally an average citizen, like the majority of, of folks in Anne Arundel County, actually all the folks in Anne Arundel County. Um, who just like them, feel like their voices aren’t heard,” Nembhard said.

Where the candidates agree — and differ

All 4 Democratic candidates share similar positions on many of the county’s major issues, including housing affordability, public safety, mental health services, and education funding. Their approaches, however, differ.

On housing, Pickard emphasizes supply and transit-oriented development.

“I’ve been wholly focused on redevelopment and transit oriented development, which is exciting about creating cool spaces, uh, around our Mark station. Or our light rail stations so that maybe we’ll attract those younger folks who want to have walkable communities and really neat spaces — and be closer to where they work,” Pickard said.

All 4 candidates support increasing public safety staffing. Smith pointed to specific numbers to illustrate the strain on current personnel.

“In fact, on the police side of the house we’re about 809 positions. The reality is 1200 is where we should be at with this current population here in Anne Arundel County. We got about 850 to 900, uh, fire department personnel, uh, who are answering well over 100,000 calls every single year. That’s significant,” Smith said.

All 4 candidates also support funding mental health services and violence interruption programs. Both Nembhard and Smith expressed a personal connection to the issue and called for more community policing. Nembhard described the impact of officers who knew their neighborhoods.

“Where I grew up we were fortunate, I don’t know if that was by design or by chance, but like me and my friends, we knew the folks who, you know, walked the beat in our neighborhood. So, that intimate knowledge, that integration can make the difference between a good student who’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time getting shot,” Nembhard said.

On education, all 4 candidates support maintaining funding growth for county schools. Kitchin is the only candidate in the race endorsed by the teachers union.

“Like I’m a pro-education candidate, um, come from a pro-education family, and that didn’t change because I got their endorsement,” Kitchin said.

Public financing

Anne Arundel County has a public financing system for campaigns. Kitchin is the only candidate in this race using it.

“I’m not taking any corporate money, any PAC money, no developer money. I’m also not taking any union money,” Kitchin said.

All 4 candidates support the public financing system and said they would like to see more political candidates use it in the future.

Why vote for me?

With so much common ground among the candidates, voters may find it difficult to choose. Each candidate made their case.

Kitchin pointed to his experience inside the current administration.

“I have the most relevant experience and I am the most ready on day one to come in and create a smooth transition from the Pittman administration into the next 4 years,” Kitchin said.

Nembhard framed his candidacy around his connection to everyday residents.

“I don’t see voters. I see my neighbors, I see friends, I see family, the same people that I’m in the trenches all the time, all day, going to county council meetings and speaking up on their behalf and fighting to be heard, you know, like just, just to be heard, to have a seat at the table,” Nembhard said.

Pickard highlighted the support she has built across the county.

“I’m really proud of the coalition I’ve built, and I feel like it’s a real testament to my track record of getting results for our community,” Pickard said.

Smith pointed to his long record of service.

“You will see that there is a crystal clear option in this race, uh, when you look at our resume when you judge me on my report card, you will see that I’ve been doing my homework for this county for the last 14 years,” Smith said.

Early voting begins June 11. The Maryland primary is June 23. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face Crawford in the November general election.

JAMES KITCHIN

Key Campaign Message:
Kitchin positions himself as the candidate of government reform and transparency, emphasizing his unique use of the county’s new public financing system. As the only candidate refusing corporate, developer, PAC, and union money, he frames his campaign around eliminating special interest influence in county government.

Core Qualifications:

• Executive Experience: Seven-plus years in the Pittman administration, including roles in budget, legislative affairs, and communications
• Education Background: Former teacher and current spouse of a 4th-grade teacher
• “Ready on Day One”: Claims unique preparation for executive role through administrative experience

Policy Priorities:

• Housing: Rejects “supply-side” approach, insists on building specifically affordable units rather than hoping market-rate construction reduces costs
• Education: Strongly supports record $72.8 million education increase; endorsed by Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County
• Environment: Proposes “no net loss of forest” program and opposes one-size-fits-all bulk regulations
• Immigration: Strongest advocate for expanding Family Protection Initiative

Notable Positions:

• Only candidate using public financing system
• Most detailed critique of supply-side housing theory
• Emphasizes upstream public safety investments over enforcement-only approach
• Supports using rainy day fund to address potential federal cuts

KYLE NEMBHARD

Key Campaign Message:
Nembhard presents himself as the “average citizen” candidate bringing fresh perspective and community empowerment to county government. He emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and reducing barriers between government and residents.

Core Qualifications:

• Professional Background: City and regional planner with development experience
• Community Advocacy: Extensive volunteer work and community organizing
• Outsider Status: Only candidate without prior elected office experience

Policy Priorities:

• Housing: Supports increased supply but emphasizes affordable units near transit corridors to reduce car dependency
• Education: Advocates for maximum 20 students per classroom; child of union member though not endorsed by teachers
• Transportation: Strong focus on transit-oriented development and reducing car dependency
• Public Safety: Emphasizes community integration of law enforcement, drawing from personal positive police relationships

Notable Positions:

• Late entry candidate who couldn’t access public financing due to timing
• Most detailed focus on transit and transportation solutions
• Unique emphasis on empowering communities through government transparency
• Economic argument for protecting immigrant workers

PETE SMITH

Key Campaign Message:
Smith emphasizes his proven track record and deep institutional knowledge, positioning himself as the candidate who has “done the homework” through 14 years of council service and 28 years of military experience.

Core Qualifications:

• Legislative Experience: 14 years on county council (with breaks), including budget committee work
• Military Service: 28 years as Marine, including overseas deployments
• Institutional Knowledge: Claims deepest understanding of county operations and needs

Policy Priorities:

• Public Safety: Most specific staffing targets – wants 1,200 police officers (currently ~809) and 1,200-1,300 firefighters (currently 850-900)
• Housing: Supports county “driving the train” rather than leaving to market; backs cottage home bill creating $200k homes
• Economic Development: Strong emphasis on P3 partnerships and reducing federal dependency
• Education: Detailed history supporting education funding since 2012, including Blueprint implementation

Notable Positions:

• Most specific public safety staffing numbers
• Created stormwater remediation fund
• Personal story about police officer saving his life
• Opposes 287G immigration enforcement based on experience and human dignity

ALLISON PICKARD

Key Campaign Message:
Pickard presents herself as the “successful legislator” who gets things done through coalition building and bipartisan cooperation. She emphasizes governing as a “team sport” and her proven ability to pass significant legislation.

Core Qualifications:

• Legislative Track Record: Two terms on county council with major bill passage
• Education Experience: Former Board of Education member during significant reforms
• Coalition Building: Emphasizes bringing together labor and private sector supporters

Policy Priorities:

• Housing: Strong “supply-side” advocate supporting zoning changes, transit-oriented development, and smaller lot sizes to increase overall housing stock
• Environment: Proudest of creating Resilience Authority and securing federal partnerships
• Education: Former Board of Education member supporting teacher pay increases and continued funding growth
• Federal Relations: Strongest emphasis on leveraging federal partnerships and funding

Notable Positions:

• Most detailed legislative accomplishments (Resilience Authority, education reforms)
• Strongest advocate for market-based housing solutions
• Helped create public financing system but chose traditional fundraising route
• Most experience with federal grant acquisition and partnerships

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