EXECUTIVE ORDER
01.01.2004.52

Governor’s Commission on Quality Education in Maryland

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is committed to a historic funding increase to our public schools, including a total state aid for primary and secondary education of $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2005. This is a $326 million increase for K-12 education and is the largest increase in Maryland's history. Further, the Bridge to Excellence Act calls for substantial increases in the levels of State formula aid to local school systems annually until fiscal year 2008;

WHEREAS, The No Child Left Behind Act inspires all Americans to pursue innovative approaches in public education to ensure that our children have the tools to be successful learners and citizens;

WHEREAS, Maryland has made great strides in recent years to improve the quality of public education in our State, including improved accountability measures and increased test scores of our children;

WHEREAS, Maryland has the responsibility to its citizens to assess the quality of K-12 education and to propose appropriate initiatives that will result in continued high academic achievement for all students;

WHEREAS, The State should help Maryland public schools in addressing severe teacher shortages, in developing a targeted statewide teacher recruitment and retention strategy, and in continuing to raise academic or content standards for teachers;

WHEREAS, Principals are an essential part of every school's success, and the State needs to examine ways to enhance the professional development provided to aspiring, new, and veteran principals;

WHEREAS, An essential goal of public schools should be to involve parents in the education of their children by facilitating family participation in school activities;

WHEREAS, For Maryland to have an internationally competitive work force, the public schools must identify and implement models that prepare all students for successful entry into postsecondary education and/or careers; and

WHEREAS, To improve academic achievement for all students, Maryland must advance initiatives in school readiness through early childhood programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., GOVERNOR OF THE STATE MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF MARYLAND, HEREBY PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

1. Established. There is a Governor’s Commission on Quality Education in Maryland.
2. Purpose. The Commission shall examine the critical issues of teacher/principal accountability and growth, school and community linkages, global best practices in education, school readiness, and early childhood programs as they impact the goal of high academic achievement for all students in Maryland. The Commission shall make recommendations to the Governor for specific and measurable actions. These action areas include teacher quality, principal preparation, special education, community involvement, business partnerships, school choice, curriculum models, school readiness for children, literacy, and preparation for postsecondary education and careers.
3. Membership.
   1. The Commission shall be composed of the following members:
      1. The Lieutenant Governor of the State of Maryland, who shall serve as Chairperson;
      2. The State Superintendent of Schools or a designee;
      3. The Secretary of Juvenile Services or a designee;
      4. The Secretary of Business and Economic Development or a designee;
      5. The Secretary of Budget and Management or a designee;
      6. The Secretary of Higher Education or a designee;
      7. Two members of the Senate of Maryland, one member appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
      8. Two members of the House of Delegates, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House, and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; and
      9. Up to twenty-one members of the Commission appointed by the Governor to serve at his pleasure. These members may include representatives of local government, public and private schools, students, parents, teachers, the business community, education advocacy groups, and other individuals and organizations with relevant interest or expertise.
   2. To the extent possible, the Commission shall represent the major geographic areas of the State.
   3. Members appointed by the Governor may not receive any compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of duties, in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations, and as provided in the State budget.
4. Duties. The Commission shall have the following duties:
   1. Examine and make specific recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of teachers and principals;
   2. Examine and make specific recommendations to link schools with their communities;
   3. Examine and make specific recommendations to incorporate best practices that will effectively prepare students for postsecondary education and career success; and
   4. Examine and make specific recommendations to improve school readiness and early childhood programs.
5. Staffing. The Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the State Department of Education, and the Governor’s Policy Office shall provide primary staff support to the Commission. The Commission may seek additional staff support from other State agencies, federal agencies, or organizations with expertise in education.
6. Procedures.
   1. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business before the Commission.
   2. The Commission will hold hearings throughout the State to receive public testimony on Maryland’s K-12 education system.
   3. The Commission, with the concurrence of the Chairperson, may utilize subject matter experts and resources to assist the Commission in the performance of its duties.
7. Report. The Commission shall submit a final report to the Governor on or before September 1, 2005, at which time the Commission established by this Executive Order shall be terminated.

GIVEN Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the State of Maryland, in the City of Annapolis, this 27th Day of September, 2004.