The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability & Implementation Board (AIB) is an independent unit of State government that was created to ensure that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is implemented as intended. ​The AIB holds State and local governments accountable for implementing the Blueprint with fidelity and evaluates whether the Blueprint’s outcomes are being achieved. ​

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On December 1, 2022, the AIB adopted a Comprehensive Implementation Plan to guide State and local entities in implementing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and achieving the intended outcomes. AEMS had a key role in providing feedback to ensure that the interests of the arts were represented in the final plan. Providing a robust block of testimony and targeted suggestions to include the arts, AEMS was able to accomplish the following changes finalized in the Comprehensive Implementation Plan:

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• In Pillar 3: a change was made to specifically identify Foundation formula funds and Concentration of Poverty grant funds to meet the requirements of subjects areas listed in COMAR, including the arts. The language includes the verbatim words: "including the arts."

• In Pillar 4: arts programming is specifically listed as one of the wraparound services to be provided by community schools.

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When not explicitly prioritized, the arts often take a back seat to other subjects and priorities despite their disproportionately positive impact on children. We need your advocacy help to avoid the unintended consequences of de-investment in the arts if they are not explicitly uplifted and protected. Education without the arts is NOT a world-class education!