Maryland § 9.9-103

§ 9.9-103.

    (a)    There are community schools in the State.

    (b)    A community school shall:

        (1)    Promote active family and community engagement, including educational opportunities for adults and family members of students at the school who live in the neighborhood of the school;

        (2)    Have at least one community school coordinator, as described under § 9.9–104 of this title;

        (3)    Implement, in a manner responsive to the needs assessment required under § 9.9–104 of this title, expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities provided after school, during weekends, and in the summer that emphasize mastering 21st–century skills through practical learning opportunities and community problem–solving;

        (4)    Implement collaborative leadership and accountability practices that empower parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners to build a culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility using strategies such as site–based leadership teams and teacher learning communities;

        (5)    Have a parent teacher organization or a school family council; and

        (6)    Have a community school leadership team, including members who represent students, families, and educators.

    (c)    (1)    There shall be a Director of Community Schools within the Office of Community Schools and Expanded Learning Time in the Department.

        (2)    The Director of Community Schools in the Department shall coordinate professional development for community school coordinators at each community school.

        (3)    The Director of Community Schools shall support the outreach and implementation of State programs for children in community schools.

        (4)    (i)    The Director of Community Schools shall create a common needs assessment tool that each community school coordinator shall use in order to complete the needs assessment required under § 9.9–104 of this title.

            (ii)    The Director of Community Schools shall consult with local school systems and members of the community schools’ leadership teams in order to determine the correct content to include in the common needs assessment tool.

        (5)    The Director of Community Schools shall develop an evaluation form to be used by local school systems to complete the evaluation required under § 5–223 of this article.

        (6)    In addition to the funding provided for the Director of Community Schools position in the Department, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation to the Department for the Director of Community Schools to provide training and technical assistance to community schools and for additional staff.

        (7)    The Office of Community Schools and Expanded Learning Time may hire staff to support the Director of Community Schools in providing direct guidance and direction to local school systems and community school coordinators.