Carey M. Wright, Ed.D.
When the Maryland State Board of Education appointed Carey M. Wright, Ed.D. as the State Superintendent of Schools on April 24, 2024, following an extensive nationwide search process, she felt as if she had come home. A native of Maryland, Wright returned to the state in July 2022 after serving as the State Superintendent of Education in Mississippi from 2013 until her retirement in 2022. She had served as the Maryland Interim State Superintendent of Schools since October 2023, before the State Board removed the interim tag in April. She began a four-year term on July 1, 2024.
“I am extremely honored to be selected for this position,” Wright says. “Having the opportunity to serve as the State Superintendent of Schools in Maryland, my home state, after holding the same position in Mississippi feels like I’ve come full circle. My experience in Mississippi successfully prepared me for the position, and I’m excited about our state’s commitment to providing high-quality education to all students.”
The longest-serving Mississippi state superintendent, Wright led efforts that enabled Mississippi to become a national leader in literacy instruction and outcomes. These initiatives increased literacy skills in pre-K through grade 3, resulting in improved student achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) at a faster rate compared to nearly all other states and a higher graduation rate than the national average. In 2022, Wright earned the Mississippi Top 50 Most Influential Leaders Award.
Regarded by her peers as a distinguished educator, administrator, leader, and champion of students, Wright has an outstanding track record of improving outcomes for students. Prior to building a successful career in Mississippi, she began her teaching career at Prince George’s County Public Schools. Wright, who received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park, also held positions in Howard County and Montgomery County Public Schools in various capacities, including teacher, principal, director of special education, and associate superintendent. In addition, she served as chief academic officer for District of Columbia Public Schools and deputy chief for the Office of Teaching and Learning.
“I am excited about where Maryland public schools are right now, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Wright says. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort that requires everyone to play a role in order to be successful. My years of experience in public education have prepared me for this leadership position, and implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which I consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the state, continues to be a top priority under my leadership. The Blueprint is based on decades of research and provides effective direction and guidance to improve outcomes for all students in Maryland.”
The Blueprint, a landmark legislation passed in 2021, outlines policy changes that will transform Maryland’s prekindergarten through post-secondary systems—ensuring a better future for all students. It is divided into five pillars, which detail specific actions to take in order to ensure its successful implementation.
“In addition to our commitment to implementing the Blueprint, we are also dedicated to advancing literacy, math, and English language arts outcomes,” Wright explains. “My vision as I serve as Maryland state superintendent is to provide a solid educational foundation for every student, so they can reach their full potential—no matter what path in life they choose. I am very excited to lead the transformation of Maryland’s public schools—ensuring that we offer students every opportunity possible as well as the skills they need to succeed.”
Learn more about the State Superintendent at the Maryland State Board of Education website, marylandpublicschools.org.
