ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Gov. Wes Moore on Sept. 29, 2026, said Maryland won a three-year, $9 million Career Pathways Exploration grant from the U.S. Department of Education to give students in grades 7 through 12 digital learner wallets and six-year plans. The administration says the system will reach more than 600,000 students statewide.

Students in grades 7 through 12 will use a state-owned learner wallet to keep six-year plans and credentials such as certificates and transcripts that can be shared with employers, colleges or training programs. The grant also expands internships, student-run businesses, registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning.

"Our administration is dedicated to building the best education system in the nation by creating every opportunity for our students to pursue their passion," Moore said.

More than half of the grant funding will flow directly to school districts. All school systems will participate in the career exploration system by the end of the third year. The grant runs from October 2026 to September 2029. The Division of College and Career Pathways in the MSDE Office of Teaching and Learning will lead implementation with local school systems, employers, higher education, and workforce partners. The release does not list district allocations, including Talbot's.