Md. Students to Prep For Influx From BRAC

Lessons Tailored to Military Jobs

Maryland public schools will soon establish "security clearance" educational programs for students as part of the state's effort to capitalize on new jobs anticipated as part of the Pentagon's base realignment, school officials say.

The education initiatives are included in a broad-based strategy released last month as part of Maryland's draft plan for dealing with the Pentagon's base realignment and closure program, a broad shift of personnel at military installations throughout the country by which the state expects to gain as many as 60,000 military and civilian jobs.

State officials have said they want to make sure Maryland's workforce has the training and clear records to compete for the high-paying jobs, many of which will require security clearances. Under the education plan, in classes such as social studies, Maryland students would be taught the consequences of having a criminal record, particularly for jobs requiring security clearance.

"We know that young people can be offenders, and if you have a felony, it's over," said Nancy S. Grasmick, state superintendent of schools. "We think we have to start in elementary school and then continue it."

Grasmick also intends to create "financial literacy awareness" with a personal resource management course established in all school systems that would teach students how to avoid debt, which also can damage prospects for a security clearance.

"Sometimes our students get into difficulty because of finances," Grasmick noted.

She said she wants the security clearance programs to be established in all school systems by the start of the next academic year.

"I think it can be infused into components of curriculum that already exist," she said. "I don't think there's a huge cost associated with this. It's not going to be something that breaks the bank but will be very impactful."

At a public presentation of the draft plan last month in Crownsville, Grasmick said: "We want to ensure that our schools are BRAC-ready. We are the pipeline for future BRAC jobs."

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D), who heads the BRAC subcabinet that has had meetings this fall throughout the state to compile recommendations, said, "This plan is our playbook for the hard and smart work that lies ahead."

The final plan will be presented Dec. 17 to Gov. Martin O'Malley (D).

Under BRAC, Fort Meade is expected to gain 5,700 jobs, bringing additional traffic and residents to Anne Arundel and Howard counties. The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda will add up to 2,500 jobs with the closing of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District. Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County should gain about 400 jobs. The largest growth is expected at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, where 9,000 new jobs are projected. Thousands of private-industry jobs are expected to emerge around the bases.

The draft BRAC report does not include many details on infrastructure improvements sought by affected jurisdictions, including new roads, schools and sewer lines.

"A lot of you are wondering, 'Where are the numbers?' " Brown said to reporters.

Brown described funding plans as an "ongoing effort" for which specific figures would be released with the governor's budget in late December or early January.

James E. Lyons, secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, said at the public presentation that the state is also working to prepare college students for jobs at the bases. "We've got thousands of students already being sensitized to BRAC," Lyons said.

The commission also wants to make it easier for employees coming to Maryland from Fort Monmouth, N.J., and the Defense Information Security Agency headquarters in Crystal City to transfer their college credits at New Jersey and Virginia universities to Maryland schools, Lyons said.

The draft report recommends legislation to establish a special fund to address higher-education needs, a proposal that would cost $10 million over three years, Brown said.