Maryland Alliance for Racial Equity in Education (MAREE) Statement on the Departure of Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – October 6, 2023 – The Maryland Alliance for Racial Equity in Education (MAREE) extends our sincere appreciation and gratitude to outgoing State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury for his service to Maryland’s public schools and shared commitment to improving the learning experiences and outcomes of Black and Brown students. In his next role as full-time senior adviser to the Maryland State Board of Education, we are confident he will continue this innovative work.

With Superintendent Choudhury at the helm, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) dedicated itself to addressing the persistent lack of investment in Black and Brown students, students from low-income communities, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners, and the resulting disparities in academic achievement across these student groups. Superintendent Choudhury’s focus on providing a high-quality P-12 education for all students, no matter their racial and cultural background or socioeconomic circumstances, should be the norm for Maryland’s current and future state education leaders.

As we look to the months ahead while our state identifies its next Superintendent of Schools, MAREE is hopeful for robust and meaningful opportunities for community engagement and intentional feedback loops to inform the work of the State Board of Education’s search and selection process. All Marylanders, particularly those most impacted by the challenges and opportunities in our state’s P-12 public education system, must have a seat at the table in making this decision. MAREE is committed to ensuring the voices of Black and Brown communities are included in that important conversation. We look forward to sharing the diverse perspectives of our advocacy network with State Board of Education Vice President Joshua Michael and the search committee as they explore potential candidates.

Looking forward, it is critical that the next State Superintendent of Schools prioritizes delivering on a public education system that is joyful, healthy, equitable, engaging, culturally affirming, and free from policies and practices rooted in systemic and structural racism. A central component of this commitment will be the implementation of  The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. MAREE stands ready and willing to lend our collective voices to inform and achieve these goals in collaboration with the State and in service of Maryland’s nearly 900,000 public school students. 

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About MAREE: MAREE is the leading advocate for Black and Brown students in Maryland with an influential network working to dismantle systemic and structural racism and divestment in education. Our alliance of education advocates, civil rights groups, and community-based organizations works to hold Maryland leaders accountable for creating a racially equitable public education system that serves Black and Brown students. When we can ensure a quality education for every Black and Brown student in our state, we create a stronger future for all of Maryland.