The Maryland State Board of Education has named Dr. Carey Wright as the next State Superintendent of Schools. Wright, who has served as the Interim Superintendent since October 2022, will begin her four-year term on July 1 with an annual salary of $360,500.

“I’m honored and grateful for this amazing opportunity to lead Maryland’s schools,” said Wright. “Having grown up in this state, I know the quality of our schools and the potential to achieve even greater heights.”

Wright took over on an interim basis after the resignation of former superintendent Mohammed Choudhury last year. Choudhury’s tenure was marred by reports from Project Baltimore exposing a lack of transparency, including heavily redacted state test score data.

In a recent interview, Wright assured Project Baltimore that transparency would be a priority, stating, “I’ve always viewed the media as a partner…I’ve not shied away from being transparent.”

A key focus for Wright will be early childhood literacy. She emphasized the importance of students reading proficiently by third grade and highlighted the need for robust teacher training in evidence-based reading instruction methods.

The data underscores the urgency, with less than half of Maryland third-graders scoring proficient in English Language Arts on last year’s state assessment.

Wright brings extensive experience, having served as Mississippi’s state superintendent from 2013 to 2022. Under her leadership, Mississippi’s education system underwent a dramatic transformation. A third-grade reading gate policy requiring grade-level literacy before advancement to fourth grade was credited as a driving force behind the improvements.

Mississippi’s grade from Education Week’s Quality Counts report card rose from an F to a C during Wright’s tenure, with its national ranking climbing from 50th to 35th.

“She is a champion for students, and I’m confident she is the leader we need to create a world-class public education system in Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore.

As superintendent, Wright will oversee the ongoing implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan. While it provides billions in funding, the Blueprint has faced criticism from some districts over affordability concerns.

Wright’s prior roles include positions in Prince George’s, Howard, Montgomery County and D.C. public schools as a teacher, principal, administrator and chief academic officer.

“Dr. Wright has the experience, expertise and track record to successfully execute the Blueprint and deliver demonstrable results for our children,” said State Board President Clarence Crawford.