About NCEED

National Center for the Elimination of Education Disparities

Who We Are and What We Do

Center’s Impact on the Baltimore Community, The State of Maryland & The Academic Discipline

The National Center for Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED) is committed to having a positive impact on academic achievement and equity in the Baltimore community, the State of Maryland, and the nation. In particular, NCEED’s work is focused on eliminating disparities in the educational outcomes of K-12 children. A national interdisciplinary research center, NCEED is driven by its mission to undertake research that addresses critically important questions related to the academic, social, and emotional outcomes of all children. Although the focus of our work is local, our contributions to educational knowledge will extend beyond Maryland to achieve national and global advances. We aim for the research and related interventions we develop to become a national model for addressing educational disparities nationwide.

Our Work

The following are some examples of the work NCEED has engaged in since its inception.  NCEED has played a pivotal role in fostering educational opportunities and literacy in Baltimore. Our events, such as the “Young Scholars Day” and “Battle of the Books,” have brought to the campus of Morgan State University hundreds of students from across Baltimore and neighboring regions, exposing them to higher education environments and encouraging a love for reading and learning. Additionally, the Center’s partnerships with local schools and organizations, such as the Greater Baltimore Urban League and Baltimore City Public Schools, have provided vital support for students and early-career teachers, reinforcing the city’s educational infrastructure. This school year marks the second year of support for this program.

At the state level, NCEED’s collaborations with Harford and Baltimore County Public Schools through the “Grow Your Own” program underscore its commitment to developing a diverse and skilled educational workforce. These initiatives, along with the Center’s involvement in the statewide Assessment and Accountability Task Force, highlight NCEED’s dedication to shaping the future of education in Maryland by addressing teacher shortages and promoting high standards in student assessments.

On the State Level

More work at the state level includes improving teacher quality and diversity. The National Board For Professional Teaching Standards, also known as National Board Certification (NBC), is often recognized as the gold standard in teacher certification and is a process that seeks to advance accomplished teaching for all students.  While the pursuit of NBC has been optional for teachers in the past, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future has created a career ladder structure for teachers in Maryland that requires NBC in order to advance. Through Project UPLIFT, MSU initiated an NBC preparation program for teachers in Baltimore City Schools.  As Baltimore City Schools has their own internal career ladder, they were reluctant to fully support the MSU NBC initiative.  However, with the passing of the Blueprint, Baltimore City Schools is now working to implement an NBC program to support teachers.  While Baltimore City Schools have borrowed from the MSU/NBC initiative, our efforts are much more comprehensive in comparison.

The MSU/NBC initiative is different from other support structures offered by Baltimore City Schools as it:

  • Targets recruitment for Black teachers and NBC mentors
  • Provides one-on-one mentorship for the entirety of the program, targeting Black teachers who have earned NBC to serve as mentors
  • Expands the pursuit of the four modules of NBC over two years through intensive structures (two modules are pursued annually)
  • Mandatory monthly classes led by a lead NBC educator who prepares NBC candidates to collect relevant data for module submissions
  • Mandatory monthly session with assigned mentor to review module preparation

  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD credits) for NBC candidates and mentors based on class participation

NCEED research will include collecting data about the following: 

  • Participant Perceptions: Insights into how the NBC process has impacted participants’ reading pedagogy and instructional practices.

  • Black Male Experiences: Data on the experiences of Black males during the NBC process to better understand and address the underrepresentation of Black male teachers who successfully pursue NBC.

  • Qualitative Outcomes: Evidence of strengthened outcomes, including teachers’ abilities and desires to become more reflective and considerate of student and parent feedback.

  • Teacher Support and Targeted Outreach: An analysis of support provided to teachers in Professional Development School (PDS) and partner schools, with a particular focus on Black educators in Baltimore City Schools. Among approximately 30 Black NBC-certified teachers in Baltimore City Schools, 7 earned NBC through the MSU program. All candidates in the first cohort worked in Title I schools within the Morgan Mile. The current cohort includes 9 NBC candidates, 8 of whom are Black, and all work at Title I schools within the Morgan Mile.

NCEED is making significant contributions to the field of education through its leadership in professional development and educator support targeting reading. The establishment of year-long Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the implementation of initiatives such as Morphology in Middle Schools (Project MIMS) exemplify the center’s impact on advancing instructional practices and literacy education. Through collaborative partnerships with higher education institutions and community organizations, NCEED is enhancing local educational outcomes while also setting a standard for academic collaboration and innovation.