The public school infrastructure of Columbia, Maryland has experienced a remarkable transformation over the years. From the construction of the first railroad in the United States in 1827 to the implementation of the Common School Support Code in 1843, the state has seen a steady evolution in its educational system. In 1914, an educational survey was conducted to address the alarming illiteracy rate in Maryland. This survey resulted in the proposed Common School Support Code, which maintained much of the local structure found in the 1825 Act. In 1865, Maryland shifted from local control of schools to a highly centralized system.
This system saw the State Board, together with the State Superintendent, select textbooks, set up the curriculum, certify teachers, approve school building designs, and distribute state funding. The Smith-Hughes Act of 1918 added vocational education to the curriculum. In 2000, Maryland began updating its stormwater management plan and has since implemented progressive policies and databases. At present, Maryland's infrastructure is much improved due to advances in technology, better asset management, and efforts to preserve highways. The Maryland Infrastructure Report Card is a helpful tool for citizens, businesses, and policy makers to understand and improve infrastructure.
The regional commuter train from the Maryland area carries 9 million passengers each year while more than 2 million Amtrak passengers get on or off at Maryland stations. Nevertheless, without greater attention to outdated infrastructure, integration of resilience into infrastructure planning, and incorporation of renewable energy technologies, Maryland is likely to experience longer and more frequent power outages. When using this material in whole or in part, appropriate citation and credit should be attributed to the Maryland State Archives.
