Maryland creates civic awards for students in participating public high schools

Maryland establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program to recognize public high school students’ readiness for civic life and civic involvement. School systems choose whether to join. Every public high school in a participating system must take part. Participating school systems must award students who meet state requirements a Seal of Civic Excellence, recognized with a cord, medal, or symbol on their diploma. The law took effect July 1, 2026. Participating school systems must report on the most recently completed school year by July 1, 2028, and each July 1 afterward.

The State Board of Education must set the award’s requirements through regulations after consulting experts and other people involved. Students seeking the award in participating public high schools must complete a final project focused on service in state, county, or local government. Participating schools must include the project in an existing extracurricular activity or a new activity supervised by a paid staff member. The State Board of Education must adopt the regulations no later than the 2027–2028 school year.