College and Career Readiness (CCR)

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 to transform public education in the state into a world-class education system. Within Blueprint, the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Pillar sets a new CCR Standard that prepares graduates for success in college and the workforce by ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to complete entry-level credit-bearing college courses and work in high-wage and high-demand industries.

The Blueprint aims to have all students meet the CCR standard by the end of their 10th grade year, develops CCR-Support pathways to support students in meeting the standard, enables students to enter a Post-CCR pathway that builds on the student’s strengths, develops a Career and Technical Education (CTE) system that is aligned with industry’s needs, and ensures that prekindergarten through 12th grade curriculum, standards, and assessments are all aligned with the new CCR standard.

During the March 25, 2025 State Board of Education meeting, the State Board voted to adopt a new College and Career Readiness (CCR) standard, as required by the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.  MD Code, Education 7-205.1,  directs the State Board of Education to adopt a CCR Standard "that enables the students to be successful in entry level credit bearing courses or postsecondary education training at a State community college."

The full adopted policy is available at https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/CCR-Standard-Policy-Adopted-03-2025-A.pdf

Benefits of Meeting CCR Standard

Students are provided with access to Post-CCR Pathways.

Students who have met the CCR standard are entitled to SMCPS covering the cost for two (2) dual enrollment courses per fall and two (2) dual enrollment courses per spring semester, for a total of four (4) dual enrollment courses in an academic year. CCR students are also entitled to SMCPS paying the exam fees for their first attempt at a specific certification exam.

SMCPS will pay for AP exams and CTE certifications for students enrolled in the corresponding AP/CTE courses that school year and taking the exams for the first time.

Reporting CCR Status

Every SMCPS high school student is re-evaluated for CCR Status at the end of each school year.  SMCPS must report high school students’ CCR status to the Maryland State Department of Education annually.