MD
Maryland House Bill HB1305

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1305 Compare Versions

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33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5- Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6- Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7-amendment.
85 *hb1305*
96
107 HOUSE BILL 1305
118 F5 2lr2505
129
1310 By: Delegate Ivey
1411 Introduced and read first time: February 11, 2022
1512 Assigned to: Ways and Means
16-Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17-House action: Adopted
18-Read second time: March 13, 2022
1913
20-CHAPTER ______
14+A BILL ENTITLED
2115
2216 AN ACT concerning 1
2317
2418 Early Childhood Education – Prekindergarten Programs – Montessori Schools 2
2519
2620 FOR the purpose of altering the eligibility requirements for the Prekindergarten Expansion 3
2721 Grant Program and publicly funded prekindergarten programs to include Montessori 4
2822 schools that meet certain operational requirements, staff credentials, 5
2923 student–to–staff ratios, and classroom sizes; authorizing a county board of education 6
3024 to consult with a Montessori teacher in determining how to implement the 7
3125 kindergarten readiness assessment; and generally relating to the inclusion of 8
3226 Montessori schools in prekindergarten programs in the State. 9
3327
3428 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
3529 Article – Education 11
3630 Section 7–101.2(a)(1), (5), and (6) and (b)(1), 7–1A–01(a) and (c) through (e), and 12
3731 7–210(a) and (b) 13
3832 Annotated Code of Maryland 14
3933 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 15
4034
4135 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
4236 Article – Education 17
4337 Section 7–101.2(c), 7–1A–04(a), and 7–210(d) 18
4438 Annotated Code of Maryland 19
4539 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 20
4640
4741 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 21
48-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22 2 HOUSE BILL 1305
42+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22
43+
44+Article – Education 23
45+
46+7–101.2. 24
47+
48+ (a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated. 25 2 HOUSE BILL 1305
4949
5050
5151
52-Article – Education 1
52+ (5) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program. 1
5353
54-7–101.2. 2
54+ (6) “Qualified provider” means: 2
5555
56- (a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated. 3
56+ (i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of 3
57+understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a 4
58+nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and 5
5759
58- (5) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program. 4
60+ (ii) A county board. 6
5961
60- (6) “Qualified provider” means: 5
62+ (b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 7
63+Grant Program in the State. 8
6164
62- (i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of 6
63-understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a 7
64-nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and 8
65+ (c) (1) [Before] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 9
66+SUBSECTION, BEFORE approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to 10
67+receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that 11
68+for each classroom funded under this section the provider will: 12
6569
66- (ii) A county board. 9
70+ [(1)] (I) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 13
71+than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 14
6772
68- (b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 10
69-Grant Program in the State. 11
73+ [(2)] (II) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early 15
74+childhood education by the State and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high 16
75+school degree; 17
7076
71- (c) (1) [Before] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 12
72-SUBSECTION, BEFORE approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to 13
73-receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that 14
74-for each classroom funded under this section the provider will: 15
77+ [(3)] (III) Operate an educational program for: 18
7578
76- [(1)] (I) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 16
77-than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 17
79+ [(i)] 1. 5 days per week; 19
7880
79- [(2)] (II) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early 18
80-childhood education by the State and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high 19
81-school degree; 20
81+ [(ii)] 2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 20
82+calendar established by the local school board; and 21
8283
83- [(3)] (III) Operate an educational program for: 21
84+ [(iii) 1.]3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 22
85+or 23
8486
85- [(i)] 1. 5 days per week; 22
87+ [2.] B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; 24
88+and 25
8689
87- [(ii)] 2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 23
88-calendar established by the local school board; and 24
90+ [(4)] (IV) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 26
91+7–1A–04 of this title. 27
8992
90- [(iii) 1.]3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 25
91-or 26
92-
93- [2.] B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; 27
94-and 28
95- HOUSE BILL 1305 3
93+ (2) BEFORE APPROVING QUALIFIED PROVIDERS WHO ARE 28
94+MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OR MONTESSORI PROGRAMS FOR PREKINDERGARTEN 29
95+SERVICES TO RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS S ECTION, A QUALIFIED PROVIDER 30
96+SHALL CERTIFY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR E ACH CLASSROOM FUNDED UNDER 31 HOUSE BILL 1305 3
9697
9798
98- [(4)] (IV) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 1
99-7–1A–04 of this title. 2
99+THIS SECTION THE PRO VIDER WILL: 1
100100
101- (2) BEFORE APPROVING QUAL IFIED PROVIDERS WHO ARE 3
102-NONPUBLIC MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OR MONTESSORI PROGRAMS IN NONPUBLIC 4
103-SCHOOLS FOR PREKINDERGARTEN SERVICES TO RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS 5
104-SECTION, A QUALIFIED PROVIDER SHALL CERTIFY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR 6
105-EACH CLASSROOM FUNDE D UNDER THIS SECTION THE PRO VIDER WILL: 7
101+ (I) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED UNDER PARAGRA PH 2
102+(1)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; 3
106103
107- (I) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED UNDER PARAGRAPH 8
108-(1)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; 9
104+ (II) MAINTAIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO 4
105+OF NOT MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENT S UNDER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NOT 5
106+MORE THAN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD; 6
109107
110- (II) MAINTAIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO 10
111-OF NOT MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NOT 11
112-MORE THAN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD, IN A 12
113-CLASSROOM THAT CONTA INS BOTH CHILDREN UN DER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND 13
114-CHILDREN AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD: 14
108+ (III) MAINTAIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM AREA RATIO OF 1 7
109+TO 35 SQUARE FEET FOR STUD ENTS UNDER THE AGE O F 5 YEARS AND 1 TO 25 8
110+SQUARE FEET FOR STUD ENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD; AND 9
115111
116- 1. AT LEAST 1 TEACHER AND 1 TEACHER’S AIDE IN 15
117-EVERY CLASSROOM WITH 25 OR FEWER STUDENTS ; AND 16
112+ (IV) ENSURE THAT THE CLASSROOM TEACHE R IS CERTIFIED BY: 10
118113
119- 2. AT LEAST 1 TEACHER AND 2 TEACHER’S AIDES IN 17
120-EVERY CLASSROOM WITH AT LEAST 26 AND FEWER THAN 36 STUDENTS; 18
114+ 1. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE , 11
115+USA; 12
121116
122- (III) MAINTAIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM AREA RATIO OF 1 19
123-TO 35 SQUARE FEET FOR STUD ENTS UNDER THE AGE O F 5 YEARS AND 1 TO 25 20
124-SQUARE FEET FOR STUD ENTS WHO ARE AT LEAS T 5 YEARS OLD A 21
125-STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM AREA RATIO OF 1 TO 30 SQUARE FEET FOR CLAS SES THAT 22
126-CONTAIN BOTH CHILDRE N UNDER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND CHILDREN A T LEAST 5 23
127-YEARS OLD; AND 24
117+ 2. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR 13
128118
129- (IV) ENSURE THAT THE CLASS ROOM TEACHER HOLDS A 25
130-BACHELOR’S DEGREE AND IS CERTIFIED BY: 26
119+ 3. THE MONTESSORI ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR 14
120+TEACHER EDUCATION. 15
131121
132- 1. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE , 27
133-USA; 28
122+7–1A–01. 16
134123
135- 2. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR 29
124+ (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 17
136125
137- 3. THE MONTESSORI ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR 30
138-TEACHER EDUCATION. 31
126+ (c) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an: 18
139127
140-7–1A–01. 32
141- 4 HOUSE BILL 1305
128+ (1) Eligible public provider; and 19
129+
130+ (2) Eligible private provider. 20
131+
132+ (d) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that: 21
133+
134+ (1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and 22
135+
136+ (2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 23
137+
138+ (e) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community based early learning 24
139+program that: 25
140+
141+ (i) Is licensed in the State; 26
142+
143+ (ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than 27 4 HOUSE BILL 1305
142144
143145
144- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
146+the cost of quality; and 1
145147
146- (c) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an: 2
148+ (iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 2
147149
148- (1) Eligible public provider; and 3
150+ (2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start 3
151+Program under § 5–231 of this article. 4
149152
150- (2) Eligible private provider. 4
153+7–1A–04. 5
151154
152- (d) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that: 5
155+ (a) (1) [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 6
156+SUBSECTION, ALL eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements 7
157+that are evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program 8
158+quality, including: 9
153159
154- (1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and 6
160+ [(1)] (I) Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year: 10
155161
156- (2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 7
162+ [(i)] 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a 11
163+minimum, hold: 12
157164
158- (e) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community based early learning 8
159-program that: 9
165+ [1.] A. State certification for teaching in early childhood 13
166+education; or 14
160167
161- (i) Is licensed in the State; 10
168+ [2.] B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing 15
169+residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which 16
170+includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content 17
171+knowledge; and 18
162172
163- (ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than 11
164-the cost of quality; and 12
173+ [(ii)] 2. Teaching assistants who have at least: 19
165174
166- (iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 13
175+ [1.] A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 20
167176
168- (2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start 14
169-Program under § 5–231 of this article. 15
177+ [2.] B. An associate’s degree; 21
170178
171-7–1A–04. 16
179+ [(2)] (II) Professional development for all staff; 22
172180
173- (a) (1) [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 17
174-SUBSECTION, ALL eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements 18
175-that are evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program 19
176-quality, including: 20
181+ [(3)] (III) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 23
182+in each class; 24
177183
178- [(1)] (I) Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year: 21
184+ [(4)] (IV) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 25
179185
180- [(i)] 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a 22
181-minimum, hold: 23
186+ [(5)] (V) A full–day prekindergarten program; 26
182187
183- [1.] A. State certification for teaching in early childhood 24
184-education; or 25
188+ [(6)] (VI) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 27
189+participation in all program opportunities; 28
185190
186- [2.] B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing 26
187-residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which 27
188-includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content 28
189-knowledge; and 29 HOUSE BILL 1305 5
191+ [(7)] (VII) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 29 HOUSE BILL 1305 5
190192
191193
194+learning environments that: 1
192195
193- [(ii)] 2. Teaching assistants who have at least: 1
196+ [(i)] 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 2
197+Standards; 3
194198
195- [1.] A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 2
199+ [(ii)] 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and 4
196200
197- [2.] B. An associate’s degree; 3
201+ [(iii)] 3. Use instruction methods that are: 5
198202
199- [(2)] (II) Professional development for all staff; 4
203+ [1.] A. Developmentally appropriate; and 6
200204
201- [(3)] (III) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 5
202-in each class; 6
205+ [2.] B. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 7
203206
204- [(4)] (IV) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 7
207+ [(8)] (VIII) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 8
205208
206- [(5)] (V) A full–day prekindergarten program; 8
209+ [(9)] (IX) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to 9
210+the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county 10
211+in which the early learning program is located; 11
207212
208- [(6)] (VI) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 9
209-participation in all program opportunities; 10
213+ [(10)] (X) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 12
210214
211- [(7)] (VII) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 11
212-learning environments that: 12
215+ [(11)] (XI) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 13
213216
214- [(i)] 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 13
215-Standards; 14
217+ [(12)] (XII) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive 14
218+services for families of students; and 15
216219
217- [(ii)] 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and 15
220+ [(13)] (XIII) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 16
218221
219- [(iii)] 3. Use instruction methods that are: 16
222+ (2) IF AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDER IS A MONTESSORI 17
223+SCHOOL OR MONTESSORI PROGRAM, THE ELIGIBLE PREKIND ERGARTEN PROVIDER 18
224+SHALL INCLUDE THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 19
225+SUBSECTION, EXCEPT: 20
220226
221- [1.] A. Developmentally appropriate; and 17
227+ (I) INSTEAD OF MEETING THE STAFF QUALIFICAT IONS LISTED 21
228+IN PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER 22
229+SHALL INCLUDE TEACHE RS WHO ARE CERTIFIED BY: 23
222230
223- [2.] B. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 18
231+ 1. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE , 24
232+USA; 25
224233
225- [(8)] (VIII) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 19
234+ 2. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR 26
226235
227- [(9)] (IX) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to 20
228-the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county 21
229-in which the early learning program is located; 22
230-
231- [(10)] (X) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 23
232-
233- [(11)] (XI) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 24
234-
235- [(12)] (XII) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive 25
236-services for families of students; and 26 6 HOUSE BILL 1305
236+ 3. THE MONTESSORI ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR 27
237+TEACHER EDUCATION; 28
238+ 6 HOUSE BILL 1305
237239
238240
241+ (II) INSTEAD OF MEETING TH E STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM 1
242+PERSONNEL RATIO LIST ED IN PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 2
243+PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER SHALL MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM 3
244+PERSONNEL RATIO OF NOT MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE AGE OF 4
245+5 YEARS AND NO MORE THAN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS 5
246+OLD; AND 6
239247
240- [(13)] (XIII) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 1
248+ (III) INSTEAD OF MEETING TH E CLASSROOM SIZE LIS TED IN 7
249+PARAGRAPH (1)(IV) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER 8
250+SHALL MAINTAI N A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM AREA RATIO OF 1 TO 35 SQUARE FEET 9
251+FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE OF 5 YEARS AND 1 TO 25 SQUARE FEET FOR STUD ENTS 10
252+WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD. 11
241253
242- (2) IF AN ELIGIBLE PREKIN DERGARTEN PROVIDER I S A NONPUBLIC 2
243-MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR MONTESSORI PROGRAM IN A NONPUBLIC SCHOO L, THE 3
244-ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDER SHALL INCLUDE THE STRUCTUR AL 4
245-ELEMENTS LISTED IN P ARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , EXCEPT: 5
254+7–210. 12
246255
247- (I) INSTEAD OF MEETING TH E STAFF QUALIFICATIO NS LISTED 6
248-IN PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER 7
249-SHALL INCLUDE TEACHE RS WHO HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE AND ARE CERTIFIED 8
250-BY: 9
256+ (a) Beginning in the 2022–2023 school year, a racially and culturally unbiased 13
257+statewide kindergarten assessment that is administered with the purpose of measuring 14
258+school readiness to be used for diagnostic purposes, curriculum development, and early 15
259+detection of learning challenges shall be given to all incoming kindergarten students in the 16
260+State and: 17
251261
252- 1. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE , 10
253-USA; 11
262+ (1) May include an evaluation of: 18
254263
255- 2. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR 12
264+ (i) Language and literacy skills; 19
256265
257- 3. THE MONTESSORI ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR 13
258-TEACHER EDUCATION; 14
266+ (ii) Academic knowledge in mathematics, science, and social studies; 20
259267
260- (II) INSTEAD OF MEETING TH E STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM 15
261-PERSONNEL RATIO LIST ED IN PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 16
262-PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER SHALL MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM 17
263-PERSONNEL RATIO OF NOT MORE TH AN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE AGE OF 18
264-5 YEARS AND NO MORE TH AN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS 19
265-OLD, IN A CLASSROOM THAT CONTAINS BOTH CHILDR EN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS 20
266-AND CHILDREN AT LEAS T 5 YEARS OLD: 21
268+ (iii) Physical development; and 21
267269
268- 1. AT LEAST 1 TEACHER AND 1 TEACHER’S AIDE IN 22
269-EVERY CLASSROOM WITH 25 OR FEWER STUDENTS ; AND 23
270+ (iv) Social development; and 22
270271
271- 2. AT LEAST 1 TEACHER AND 2 TEACHER’S AIDES IN 24
272-EVERY CLASSROOM WITH AT LEAST 26 AND FEWER THAN 36 STUDENTS; AND 25
272+ (2) Shall be completed on or before October 10 with the aggregate results 23
273+returned within 45 days after administration of the assessment. 24
273274
274- (III) INSTEAD OF MEETING TH E CLASSROOM SIZE LIS TED IN 26
275-PARAGRAPH (1)(IV) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER 27
276-SHALL MAINTAIN , IN A CLASSROOM THAT CONTAINS BOTH CHILDR EN UNDER THE 28
277-AGE OF 5 YEARS AND CHILDREN A T LEAST 5 YEARS OLD , A 29
278-STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM AREA RATIO OF 1 TO 35 SQUARE FEET FOR STUDE NTS 30
279-UNDER THE OF 5 YEARS AND 1 TO 25 SQUARE FEET FOR STUD ENTS WHO ARE AT 31
280-LEAST 5 YEARS OLD 30. 32
275+ (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a statewide 25
276+kindergarten assessment may not be administered to an enrolled prekindergarten student. 26
281277
282-7–210. 33 HOUSE BILL 1305 7
278+ (2) A statewide kindergarten assessment or early learning assessment may 27
279+be administered to an enrolled prekindergarten student by a school psychologist or other 28
280+school–based professional who intends to use the results in order to identify a disability. 29
281+
282+ (d) (1) Before administering the early learning assessment, a county board 30
283+shall consult with kindergarten teachers, including teachers nominated by the exclusive 31
284+bargaining representative, in determining how to implement the assessment. 32
285+
286+ (2) A COUNTY BOARD MAY CON SULT WITH A MONTESSORI TEACHER 33 HOUSE BILL 1305 7
283287
284288
289+IN DETERMINING HOW T O IMPLEMENT THE ASSE SSMENT. 1
285290
286- (a) Beginning in the 2022–2023 school year, a racially and culturally unbiased 1
287-statewide kindergarten assessment that is administered with the purpose of measuring 2
288-school readiness to be used for diagnostic purposes, curriculum development, and early 3
289-detection of learning challenges shall be given to all incoming kindergarten students in the 4
290-State and: 5
291-
292- (1) May include an evaluation of: 6
293-
294- (i) Language and literacy skills; 7
295-
296- (ii) Academic knowledge in mathematics, science, and social studies; 8
297-
298- (iii) Physical development; and 9
299-
300- (iv) Social development; and 10
301-
302- (2) Shall be completed on or before October 10 with the aggregate results 11
303-returned within 45 days after administration of the assessment. 12
304-
305- (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a statewide 13
306-kindergarten assessment may not be administered to an enrolled prekindergarten student. 14
307-
308- (2) A statewide kindergarten assessment or early learning assessment may 15
309-be administered to an enrolled prekindergarten student by a school psychologist or other 16
310-school–based professional who intends to use the results in order to identify a disability. 17
311-
312- (d) (1) Before administering the early learning assessment, a county board 18
313-shall consult with kindergarten teachers, including teachers nominated by the exclusive 19
314-bargaining representative, in determining how to implement the assessment. 20
315-
316- (2) A COUNTY BOARD MAY CON SULT WITH A MONTESSOR I TEACHER 21
317-IN DETERMINING HOW T O IMPLEMENT THE ASSE SSMENT. 22
318-
319- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 23
320-1, 2022. 24
321-
291+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 2
292+1, 2022. 3