WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 670
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Chapter 670
(House Bill 206)
AN ACT concerning
Early Childhood Education – Prekindergarten Programs – Montessori Schools
and Programs
FOR the purpose of altering the eligibility requirements for the Prekindergarten Expansion
Grant Program and publicly funded prekindergarten programs to include certain
operational requirements, staff credentials, and student–to–staff ratios for
Montessori schools and programs; and generally relating to the inclusion of
Montessori schools and programs in prekindergarten programs in the State.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Education
Section 7–101.2(a)(1), (5), and (6) and (b)(1) and 7–1A–01(a) and (c) through (e)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume)
BY adding to
Article – Education
Section 7–101.2(a)(5)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Education
Section 7–101.2(c) 7–101.2(a)(5) and (6) and (c) and 7–1A–04(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Education
7–101.2.
(a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(5) “MONTESSORI SCHOOL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 6–127 OF
THIS ARTICLE.
Ch. 670 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(5) (6) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant
Program.
(6) (7) “Qualified provider” means:
(i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of
understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a
nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and
(ii) A county board.
(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion
Grant Program in the State.
(c) (1) [Before] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, BEFORE approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to
receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that
for each classroom funded under this section the provider will:
[(1)] (I) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more
than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom;
[(2)] (II) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early
childhood education by the State and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high
school degree;
[(3)] (III) Operate an educational program for:
[(i)] 1. 5 days per week;
[(ii)] 2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school
calendar established by the local school board; and
[(iii) 1.] 3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day;
or
[2.] B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day;
and
[(4)] (IV) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of §
7–1A–04 of this title.
(2) BEFORE APPROVING QUAL IFIED PROVIDERS WHO ARE
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OR MONTESSORI PROGRAMS F OR PREKINDERGARTEN
SERVICES TO RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS S ECTION, A QUALIFIED PROVIDER WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 670
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SHALL CERTIFY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR E ACH CLASSROOM FUNDED UNDER
THIS SECTION THE PROVIDER WILL :
(I) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF
THIS SUBSECTION ;
(II) MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO
OF NO MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NO
MORE THAN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WH O ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD, WITH A
MAXIMUM OF 20 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF ALL OF THE STU DENTS ARE UNDER
THE AGE OF 5 YEARS;
(III) MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO
OF NO MORE THAN 14 TO 1, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 28 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF
SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD; AND
(III) (IV) REQUIRE A CLASSROOM T EACHER TO BE:
1. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D; AND
2. BE CERTIFIED HOLD A MONTESSORI CREDENTIAL
ISSUED BY:
1. A. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE ,
USA;
2. B. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR
3. C. THE A PROGRAM ACCREDITED B Y THE MONTESSORI
ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION.
7–1A–01.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(c) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an:
(1) Eligible public provider; and
(2) Eligible private provider.
(d) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early learning
program that:
(i) Is licensed in the State; Ch. 670 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than
the cost of quality; and
(iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
(2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start
Program under § 5–231 of this article.
(e) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that:
(1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and
(2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
7–1A–04.
(a) (1) [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, ALL eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements
that are evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program
quality, including:
[(1)] (I) Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year:
[(i)] 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a
minimum, hold:
[1.] A. State certification for teaching in early childhood
education; or
[2.] B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing
residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which
includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content
knowledge; and
[(ii)] 2. Teaching assistants who have at least:
[1.] A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or
[2.] B. An associate’s degree;
[(2)] (II) Professional development for all staff;
[(3)] (III) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1
in each class; WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 670
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[(4)] (IV) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom;
[(5)] (V) A full–day prekindergarten program;
[(6)] (VI) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full
participation in all program opportunities;
[(7)] (VII) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten,
learning environments that:
[(i)] 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development
Standards;
[(ii)] 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and
[(iii)] 3. Use instruction methods that are:
[1.] A. Developmentally appropriate; and
[2.] B. Culturally and linguistically responsive;
[(8)] (VIII) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students;
[(9)] (IX) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to
the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county
in which the early learning program is located;
[(10)] (X) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement;
[(11)] (XI) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students;
[(12)] (XII) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive
services for families of students; and
[(13)] (XIII) Evidence–based health and safety standards.
(2) AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDER GARTEN PROVIDER THAT IS A
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR MONTESSORI PROGRAM SH ALL INCLUDE ALL OF T HE
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION E XCEPT
THE FOLLOWING :
(I) FOR STAFF QUALIFICATI ONS, THE ELIGIBLE
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER SHALL EMPLOY TE ACHERS WHO ARE:
Ch. 670 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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1. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D; AND
2. ARE CERTIFIED HOLD A MONTESSORI CREDENTIAL
ISSUED BY:
1. A. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE ,
USA;
2. B. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR
3. C. THE A PROGRAM ACCREDITED B Y THE MONTESSORI
ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION; AND
(II) FOR THE STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO,
THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER SHALL MAINT AIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM
PERSONNEL RATIO OF NO:
1. NO MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER THE
AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NO MORE TH AN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5
YEARS OLD, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 20 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF ALL OF THE
STUDENTS ARE UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS; AND
2. NO MORE THAN 14 TO 1, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 28
STUDENTS PER CLASSROOM IF SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2023.
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2023.