The Maryland State Department of Education's (MSDE) implementation of Education That Is Multicultural focuses on linking ETM with student achievement. MSDE has implemented several programs and activities related to Education That Is Multicultural (ETM). Major ETM activities included the following:

1. Designed, developed, and disseminated to all local school systems a two-volume curriculum guide, New Perspectives in Intergroup Education.

2. Established a MSDE Cross-Divisional Task Force on Education That Is Multicultural in order to implement the ETM Regulations more effectively across the agency. This Task Force consists of representatives from each division in the agency.

3. Provided technical assistance to local school systems in developing their initial ETM Five Year Plans and maintained a file of all 24 school system's plans.

4. Provided two-week intensive trainer-of-trainer ETM professional development courses for Maryland educators statewide. These college level courses, offered annually in the summer, were collaboratively sponsored by MSDE, a local school system, and the University of Maryland. Courses were presented in several counties, as well as for correctional education staff.

5. Provided ETM technical assistance to local school systems through workshops, conferences, and consultations.

6. Established an MSDE Equity/Multicultural Resource Center with print and non-print materials for loan to educators on a variety of topics. Both curricular resources and professional reference materials are housed at the Resource Center.

In 1998-99, MSDE's major activities will include:

1. Review of MSPAP assessments for multicultural content

2. Review of MSDE Content Area Standards for inclusion of a multicultural focus

3. ETM professional development activities for MSDE staff

4. Technical assistance on ETM to local school systems

In 1997, MSDE prepared a long-range plan related to implementation of the state ETM Regulations (COMAR13A.04.05). A brief overview is presented below.

Plan implementation is facilitated by the Equity Assurance and Compliance Branch (EACB) and coordinated by the MSDE Cross-Divisional ETM Task Force. Individual MSDE divisions also have responsibilities related to specific activities. The State ETM Advisory Council provides input into plan implementation.

The Goals addressed in the Plan are:

• To infuse an ETMfocus into all MSDE programs and initiatives
  
• To support local school systems in implementing their Five-Year ETM Plans

1. Maintain a Cross-Divisional Task Force to assure agency-wide implementation of ETM

2. Provide information through the MSDE Task Force to assistant superintendents in each division and solicit feedback for inclusion in Task Force planning

3. Collect and analyze disaggregated data to link ETM with state student achievement and school improvement initiatives

4. Review new content standards and core learning goals to assure ETM content

5. Review MSPAP tasks for ETM content

6. Provide ETM input into High School Assessment development

7. Provide professional development activities for MSDE staff (based on needs identified in the 1997 staff survey)

8. Provide updates on ETM to MSDE's Executive Team

1. Provide ongoing technical assistance on ETM and student achievement to local school systems

2. Compile and distribute information statewide on exemplary ETM and student achievement programs and initiatives

3. Review local school system Annual ETM Progress Reports and provide feedback

4. Provide guidelines to local school systems in the development of their new Five- Year ETM Implementation Plans (due June 30, 1999)

5. Review new Five-Year Plans and provide feedback to local school systems

6. Distribute information to local school systems about the cross-referencing of ETM Goals with revised state instructional content standards

7. Maintain an ETM Resource Center for use by local school systems

8. Update the Multicultural Connections Resource Directory and disseminate new resource information to local school systems