This document contains the first annual report to the Maryland State Board of Education, highlighting the status of the implementation of the Maryland Education That Is Multicultural (ETM) Regulations (COMAR13A.04.05) adopted by the State Board of Education in 1994. The Regulations were adopted to replace the Ethnic and Cultural Minorities Regulations originally adopted by the State Board in 1970 and revised in 1979, 1989, and 1993. Statewide implementation of the current Regulations began in 1995. The report informs on the progress of ETM implementation at state and local levels during 1997-1998.

Education That Is Multicultural is a process that promotes the valuing and appreciation of diversity, including factors such as region, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, gender, and disability. Maryland reflects great ethnic and cultural diversity, as Marylanders of African, Asian, European, Latino, Native American and many heritages and faiths contribute to the rich fabric of our state. It is projected by the year 2010 that Maryland will be one of six states in the nation with no one racial or ethnic group comprising a majority of the state's population.

Reflective of Maryland's growing diversity, in 1997 Maryland schools educated students from more than 100 nations. Marylanders from across the state share a common commitment to assuring that every student is afforded appropriate and equitable opportunities to achieve academic and personal success in today's global community. The Education That Is Multicultural policies, procedures, and programs discussed in this report address issues impacting on success for all of Maryland's students.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATION

MARYLAND STATE EDUCATION THAT
IS MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

For leadership in implementation of the ETM Regulations, the State Superintendent, Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, established the Maryland State Education That Is Multicultural Advisory Council. The ETM Council coordinates efforts at the state level and assists local school systems to implement education that is multicultural programs and policies related to curriculum, instruction, student achievement, staff development and instructional resources. Council members include representatives from Maryland's 24 school systems, MSDE, higher education, and the Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Multicultural Education. A major focus for this council is the connection between education that is multicultural and enhanced academic achievement.

MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) outlined in the Regulations include providing assistance to local school systems in ETM planning and subsequent implementation, and assuring a multicultural focus in all state activities, including assessments, publications, and curricular frameworks. In addition, the Regulations require MSDE to provide materials for local school systems, such as an annotated ETM resource guide and criteria for evaluating and selecting appropriate instructional materials. MSDE also provides feedback to local school systems on their Annual ETM Progress Reports.

To coordinate efforts from within MSDE, Dr. Grasmick instituted the MSDE Cross-Divisional Task Force on Education That Is Multicultural in 1997. The task force consists of MSDE staff members.

LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM RESPONSIBILITIES

The ETM Regulations require local school systems to develop and implement five-year ETM plans that address curriculum, instruction, staff development, instructional resources, and school climate. The first five-year planning cycle will end in 1999, with new plans being prepared for implementation that will begin in the year 2000. As of June 30, 1998, each local school system will submit an Annual ETM Progress Report to MSDE.

LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

Included in this report are one-page summaries of each local school system's ETM five-year plan and highlights of ETM implementation progress for 1997-98. A comprehensive ETM Annual Progress Report will be submitted by each local school system to MSDE by June 30, 1998.