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HB 1582 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

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

HB 1582 (COMPASS Act) changes Maryland's public school accountability system by requiring schools to use multiple quality indicators beyond standardized tests for evaluation. It mandates at least three indicators - including school climate surveys, class size, chronic absenteeism, and access to advanced courses - and prohibits national tests from being the sole measure. The bill sets strict rules for the composite score, limiting academic indicators to 70% of the total, requiring transparency in score breakdowns, and banning letter grades. It takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting all public schools and the State Board of Education.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates multiple indicators beyond standardized tests, including school climate and access to advanced courses, shifting focus from test scores to holistic school evaluation.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Education - Program of Educational Accountability - Alterations (Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS Act)) → Third - Education - Program of Educational Accountability - Alterations (Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS Act)) · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was advanced from its first to third reading, adding favorable committee reports and adoption status. Substantive changes include shifting the reporting start date from July 1, 2027, to 'on or before' that date, and expanding the required annual report to include a correlation analysis between student poverty levels and school accountability ratings.
Scope change
The bill's applicability remains focused on Maryland's educational accountability program, but the reporting requirements have been broadened to include equity analysis regarding low-income households.
TIMELINE

The start date for reporting non-composite indicators was changed from a fixed date of July 1, 2027, to a flexible window of 'on or before' July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added to report the correlation between the proportion of students from low-income households and the school's accountability rating for the past three years.

The annual report now must explicitly detail the correlation between student poverty levels and both the overall composite score and individual indicator scores.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

How they voted

38–11
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 25, 2026
D Democratic36
36 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
2 Yea 11 Nay
84% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
7
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 593
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Committee
Referred Rules
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (38-11)
senate
Mar 16, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (98-37-7)
house of delegates
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
First Reading Ways and Means
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.