The Kirwan Plan aims to improve Maryland's education system, making it more equitable and effective, preparing students for success in a competitive global economy.

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Blueprint for Maryland Education, the Kirwan Plan

Grades 9-12

This lesson focuses on two main ideas:

  • The five policy areas, or pillars, of the Kirwan Plan
  • The impact of the Kirwan Plan on various stakeholders

Procedure

INTRODUCTION (15 minutes)

  1. Display the vocabulary words in one column and the definitions in another column in random order. Challenge students to match the words with the correct definitions in one minute. Review correct answers and clear up any confusion.
  2. Have a student volunteer read the lesson introduction, then show the State Circle video clip.
  3. As a class, discuss the lesson’s essential questions and thinking questions.

EXTENSION (30-120 minutes)

Complete extension activities with students, as you see fit.

ASSESSMENT (15 minutes)

Have students apply their newfound knowledge by completing a Summative CER on the lesson using evidence from the video and activity resources as support.

REFLECTION (10 minutes)

Have students complete a reflection.

Standards

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards and Maryland American Government Standards

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

Civics

  • D2.Civ.5.9-12.
    Evaluate citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
  • D2.Civ.10.9-12.
    Analyze the impact and the appropriate roles of personal interests and perspectives on the application of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights.
  • D2.Civ.13.9-12.
    Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.
Economics
  • D2.Eco.2.9-12.Use marginal benefits and marginal costs to construct an argument for or against an approach or solution to an economic issue.

Maryland American Government Standards

Economic Goals and Indicators
The student will analyze the principles of economic costs and benefits and opportunity cost to evaluate the effectiveness of government policy in achieving socio-economic goals by evaluating how the principles of economic costs, benefits, and opportunity cost affect public policy issues, such as environmental and healthcare concerns, defense and education policy.

Citizens and Public Policy
The student will explain roles and analyze strategies individuals or groups may use to initiate change in governmental policy and institutions by: Evaluating the tools that individuals or groups may use to influence laws, government policies, and elections including referendum, acts of civil disobedience, voting, boycotts, financial contributions, digital communication, and voting drives.


Summative CER

Option 1:

Use evidence and reasoning from the lesson video and activity resources to describe the various stakeholders of the Kiwan Plan and the impact it will have on each.

Option 2:

Make an argument for adding a sixth pillar to the Kirwan Plan. Use evidence and reasoning from the lesson video and activity resources to support your argument.


Reflection Questions

  • Explain which issue of the Kirwan plan is most important to you.
  • Why is it important to weigh costs and benefits when making public policies?

Summative CER Rubric

No Response
Score Point 0 		Not There Yet
Score Point 0.5 		Beginning To
Score Point 0.75		 Yes
Score Point 1.0
The claim is missing The claim is incorrect or irrelevant. The claim partially takes a position on the topic or issue addressed within the prompt. The claim takes an appropriate position on the topic or issue addressed within the prompt.
There is no type of evidence in the response The evidence is irrelevant or does not support the claim. The evidence partially supports the claim and demonstrates some understanding of the topic or text, using appropriate sources. The evidence supports the claim and demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic or text, using appropriate sources.
There is no use of words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and to clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence. Use of words, phrases and clauses fail to show or explain any relationship between the claim and evidence. Scientific words, phrases, and clauses used lack cohesion but partially clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence. Appropriate scientific words, phrases, and clauses are used to create cohesion and to clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.


Teacher Resources


References

 

This learning resource is a production of Maryland Public Television/Thinkport.