Make Your Voice Heard: A Family’s Guide to Advocating in Annapolis

Author:

Communications

Feb 09, 2026

Family and Community

The 2026 Session of the Maryland General Assembly is underway, and attending a District Night in Annapolis is one of the most powerful ways you can support your child’s education — and the future of our schools! Legislators rely on parent perspectives to understand what students truly need. When you share your story, you help shape decisions that impact classrooms across Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Use these tips to advocate with confidence and clarity!

Lead With Your Story

Facts inform, but personal stories inspire action! Share how a program, educator, or resource has positively impacted your child. Keep your message focused on what matters most in your school community and why it deserves attention.

Priorities You Can Highlight

Protect Schools from Unfunded Mandates
Ask legislators to avoid passing mandates without providing the funding to support them. Even well-intended policies can strain school budgets when resources don’t follow requirements.

Strengthen Special Education Supports
PGCPS serves more than 17,000 students with disabilities, and the number of students with autism has grown by 58% over the past decade — outpacing current funding formulas.
Ask: Support targeted investments to expand Autism programs and add IEP Facilitators in elementary schools so teachers can focus more on instruction and student success.

Modernize Aging School Buildings
Our district has the second-oldest school facilities in Maryland, with buildings averaging 48 years old. Updated funding formulas are essential to keep renovations — from HVAC to roofs to security — on track.
Ask: Advocate for state funding that reflects today’s construction costs.

Enhance School Safety and Security
Creating safe, secure learning environments remains a top priority for PGCPS. Continued legislative support helps the district invest in modern security technology, stronger infrastructure, and trained personnel — all proven to help prevent incidents and protect students and staff.
Ask: Support sustained and expanded funding for school safety grants to upgrade camera systems, expand security enhancement devices, install vape detectors, improve emergency alert systems, and strengthen pedestrian safety around schools.

Expand Support for Multilingual Learners
PGCPS serves one of the largest and most diverse student populations in the state, including a growing number of multilingual families.
Ask: Fund additional Multilingual Family Support Coordinators and expand dual-language programs beginning in kindergarten.

Additional advocacy areas include local board autonomy, Blueprint implementation, school funding, educator recruitment and retention, student welfare, sustainability and charter school accountability.
Speak With One Strong Voice

When families and school leaders share a common message, it amplifies our collective impact. Before attending, check out the PGCPS 2026 Legislative Platform and consider the story you want to share. Then show up, speak up, and help advocate for the schools our students deserve.