Foreign Languages, Technology, Equality Among Baltimore County Public Schools Priorities

During his "State of the Schools" address this week, Baltimore County Superintendent Dallas Dance highlighted several programs and initiatives that will start next year, according to a statement from Baltimore County Public Schools.

• Digital learning program to equip all students with laptop/tablet by 2017
• Fourth-grade Spanish program in 10 elementary schools
• Resources for special needs preschool students and those in free and reduced-price meals program
• One Card building access program and attendance monitoring systems
• Rigorous learning opportunities for middle school students (e.g., expanding world languages for sixth grade; eighth-grade high school credit program)
• Equity policy to ensure every child has access to quality learning

Dance also said the school system would expand its partnership with Towson University to train teachers and launch the Baltimore County Public Schools Parent University to provide workshops for parents to help their children succeed.

The 2014–2015 initiatives built upon the blueprint Dance outlined at least year's address, which focused on technology and languages. Now, he said, the school system is in good shape for achieving the plan.