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Bill

HB 1582

Education - Program of Educational Accountability - Alterations (Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS Act))

2026 Regular Session

Maryland's COMPASS Act restructures school accountability metrics, shifting from existing performance measures to new comprehensive outcome standards that will reshape how schools are evaluated and supported.

Returned Passed
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Bill Summary · HB 1582

Legislative bill overview

HB 1582, the COMPASS Act, restructures Maryland's school accountability system by replacing or significantly altering existing educational performance metrics with new "Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress" standards. The bill modifies how schools are evaluated and presumably how state oversight and intervention decisions are made based on school performance data.

Why is this important

School accountability systems directly influence how schools allocate resources, which students receive additional support, and whether struggling schools receive state intervention or sanctions. Changes to these metrics can shift focus from traditional standardized testing to alternative measures—affecting teacher evaluation, funding distribution, and ultimately educational outcomes for Maryland's roughly 850,000 students.

Potential points of contention

  • Metric replacement concerns: Critics may worry that moving away from established performance measures creates inconsistency in tracking progress or makes comparisons to national benchmarks difficult; supporters argue new measures better capture student growth and school quality beyond test scores
  • Implementation and resource costs: Schools and districts need time and funding to understand and implement new accountability frameworks; transition periods can create administrative burden
  • Equity implications: The bill's specific metrics will determine whether it addresses achievement gaps or inadvertently masks disparities; without clarity on how disadvantaged schools are supported, changes could affect equitable resource distribution

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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