EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0893*
SENATE BILL 893
F1, F2 3lr0128
CF HB 1219
By: The President (By Request – Administration) and Senators Bailey, Elfreth,
Ellis, Ferguson, Gile, Hester, Jackson, James, Kagan, King, Lam, McCray,
and Sydnor
Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2023
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Educator Shortage Act of 2023 2
FOR the purpose of altering the qualifications for early childhood education teacher 3
certification completed through an alternative preparation program; requiring the 4
State Department of Education to establish specific goals for the recruitment and 5
retention of teachers in teacher preparation programs in the State; requiring the 6
Department to establish and maintain a Maryland Educator Recruitment, 7
Retention, and Diversity Dashboard; stating the intent of the General Assembly for 8
Maryland to join the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact as a member state; 9
specifying that the General Assembly and the State Board of Education shall ensure 10
that certain steps are taken for Maryland to become a member state in the Compact; 11
transferring the administration of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland program from 12
the Maryland Higher Education Commission to the Department; altering the 13
qualifications for applicants and recipients of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland 14
program; establishing the Grow Our Own Educators Scholarship Program to provide 15
scholarships to individuals who pledge to fulfill a certain service obligation as a 16
full–time teacher in the State; requiring the Department to administer the Program 17
and to take certain actions to develop and implement the Program; establishing the 18
Grow Our Own Educators Scholarship Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; requiring 19
interest earnings of the Fund to be credited to the Fund; establishing the Educator 20
Internship Stipend Program to provide stipends to student teachers in internships 21
working directly with students; requiring the Department to administer the Program 22
and take certain actions to evaluate the Program; and generally relating to the 23
recruitment and retention of teachers in the State. 24
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 25
Article – Education 26
Section 6–120(a) and (b), 6–121, 7–1A–04(a), 18–2201 through 18–2204, 18–2206, 27
18–2209, and 18–2210 28 2 SENATE BILL 893
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2022 Replacement Volume) 2
BY adding to 3
Article – Education 4
Section 6–128 and 6–129; 18–2701 through 18–2705 to be under the new subtitle 5
“Subtitle 27. Grow Our Own Educators Scholarship Program”; and 18–2801 6
to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 28. Educator Internship Stipend 7
Program” 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2022 Replacement Volume) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11
Article – Education 12
Section 18–2205 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2022 Replacement Volume) 15
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – State Finance and Procurement 17
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 20
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – State Finance and Procurement 22
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)170. and 171. 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 25
BY adding to 26
Article – State Finance and Procurement 27
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)172. 28
Annotated Code of Maryland 29
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 30
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 31
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 32
Article – Education 33
6–120. 34
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 35
(2) “Alternative teacher preparation program” means a program 36
[established]: 37 SENATE BILL 893 3
(I) 1. ESTABLISHED by a county board, AN INSTITUTION OF 1
HIGHER EDUCATION , OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION and approved by the State 2
Superintendent [that:]; OR 3
2. ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 4
[(i)] (II) [Leads] THAT LEADS to a participant receiving a 5
Resident Teacher Certificate issued by the Department; and 6
[(ii)] (III) [Includes] THAT INCLUDES teaching assignments with 7
supervision and mentoring by a qualified teacher. 8
(3) “ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGAR TEN PROVIDER ” HAS THE MEANING 9
STATED IN § 7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE. 10
[(3)] (4) “Partner school” means a local school system, nonpublic school, 11
[or] nonpublic special education school, OR ELIGIBLE PREKINDE RGARTEN PROVIDER 12
that has a written partnership agreement with an institution of higher education or 13
alternative teacher preparation program to provide a teacher training practicum for 14
participants enrolled in a teacher preparation program at the institution of higher 15
education or alternative teacher preparation program. 16
(b) (1) Each participant in an undergraduate and a graduate teacher 17
preparation program shall complete a teacher training practicum as a requirement for 18
graduation. 19
(2) [An] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS 20
SUBSECTION, AN alternative teacher preparation program shall require each participant 21
to successfully complete a teacher training practicum. 22
(3) (I) AN ALTERNATIVE TEACHE R PREPARATION PROGRA M FOR 23
AN EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATION CERTIFICATI ON SHALL REQUIRE EAC H 24
PARTICIPANT TO SUCCE SSFULLY: 25
1. COMPLETE A TEACHER TR AINING PRACTICUM ; OR 26
2. SATISFY CRITERIA ESTA BLISHED BY THE 27
DEPARTMENT UNDER SUBP ARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH TH AT EVALUATE 28
THE KNOWLEDGE AND SK ILLS FROM PRIOR LEAR NING RELATING TO EAR LY 29
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION . 30
(II) THE DEPARTMENT , IN COLLABORATION WIT H 31
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION , SHALL ESTABLISH STAN DARDS FOR AND 32
CRITERIA TO EVALUATE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SK ILLS FROM PRIOR LEAR NING 33 4 SENATE BILL 893
RELATING TO EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION , INCLUDING FROM A REG ISTERED 1
APPRENTICESHIP . 2
6–121. 3
(a) A teacher preparation program shall: 4
(1) Include the following components of instruction: 5
(i) Basic research skills and methods and training on the routine 6
evaluation and use of research and data to improve student performance; 7
(ii) Differentiation of instruction and demonstration of cultural 8
competence for students of diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and economic backgrounds with 9
different learning abilities; 10
(iii) Implementation of restorative approaches for student behaviors; 11
(iv) Identifying and assessing, in the context of the classroom, typical 12
student learning deficits and techniques to remedy learning deficits; 13
(v) Recognizing and effectively using high quality instructional 14
materials, including digital resources and computer technology; 15
(vi) Core academic subjects that teachers will be teaching; 16
(vii) Methods and techniques for identifying and addressing the social 17
and emotional needs of students, including trauma–informed approaches to pedagogy; and 18
(viii) Skills and techniques for effective classroom management; 19
(2) Require program participants to demonstrate competency in each of the 20
components required under paragraph (1) of this subsection; 21
(3) Provide training in the knowledge and skills required to understand 22
and teach the Maryland curriculum frameworks; and 23
(4) On or after July 1, 2025, require passing a nationally recognized, 24
portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability as a requirement for graduation. 25
(b) Each teacher preparation program shall incorporate classroom observations 26
in which the program participant is observed in different school settings at the beginning 27
of the teacher preparation program to assist a program participant in determining if the 28
program participant has the aptitude and temperament for teaching. 29
(c) A teacher preparation program shall develop a method for regularly 30
communicating and collaborating with local school systems, including, if necessary, 31 SENATE BILL 893 5
through financial memoranda of understanding, to strengthen teacher preparation, 1
induction, and professional development programs. 2
(d) (1) An institution of higher education that offers graduate level courses in 3
school administration shall develop: 4
(i) A method for evaluating the potential of program participants to 5
be effective school leaders; and 6
(ii) A curriculum to enable school leaders to organize and manage 7
schools to achieve the effectiveness of top–performing schools or school systems, including: 8
1. Management of highly skilled professionals in a 9
professional work environment; and 10
2. Effective peer observations and effective evaluations of 11
other personnel. 12
(2) These courses shall include clinical experience and assessments to 13
determine whether participants demonstrate competency in these areas. 14
(e) An institution of higher education: 15
(1) May, if the institution of higher education shows cause, expand the total 16
number of credit hours required to graduate from an undergraduate teacher preparation 17
program by up to 12 credits; and 18
(2) May not require a number of credit hours in excess of 132 total credit 19
hours to graduate from an undergraduate teacher preparation program. 20
(f) To further support and strengthen the profession of teaching in the State, the 21
Department shall: 22
(1) Provide technical assistance and other supports to teacher preparation 23
programs at institutions of higher education in the State; 24
(2) Develop a systemic method of providing feedback to teacher preparation 25
programs to ensure that institutions of higher education have the most current information 26
about the content, composition, and expectations for teachers of prekindergarten through
27
12th grade classes; [and] 28
(3) Assist teacher preparation programs in seeking and retaining highly 29
qualified individuals, including individuals from groups historically underrepresented in 30
the teaching profession; 31
(4) ESTABLISH SPECIFIC GO ALS FOR THE RECRUITM ENT AND 32
RETENTION OF TEACHER S IN TEACHER PREPARA TION PROGRAMS THROUG HOUT 33 6 SENATE BILL 893
THE STATE; AND 1
(5) REQUIRE TEACHER PREPA RATION PROGRAMS THAT FAIL TO 2
MEET THE GOALS ESTAB LISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER ITEM (4) OF THIS 3
SUBSECTION TO SUBMIT AN ACTION PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT 4
DEMONSTRATES HOW THE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM WILL MEET TH E 5
GOALS. 6
(g) The State Board and the Professional Standards and Teacher Education 7
Board shall, in consultation with the Accountability and Implementation Board established 8
under § 5–402 of this article, adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. 9
6–128. 10
(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 11
ESTABLISH AND MAINTA IN A MARYLAND EDUCATOR RECRUITMENT , RETENTION, 12
AND DIVERSITY DASHBOARD. 13
(2) THE DASHBOARD SHALL INCLU DE DEMOGRAPHIC INFOR MATION 14
AND KEY DATA POINTS REGARDING EDUCATORS IN CLASSROOMS AND PR OSPECTIVE 15
EDUCATORS WITHIN TEA CHER PREPARATION PRO GRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. 16
(B) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, AND EACH DECEMBER 1 17
THEREAFTER , EACH COUNTY BOARD S HALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT 18
DEMOGRAPHIC AND JOB STATUS INFORMATI ON ON EDUCATORS EMPLOYED BY THE 19
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY BOARD DURING THE 20
PREVIOUS SCHOOL YEAR. 21
(2) EACH COUNTY BOARD SHA LL REPORT THE INFORM ATION 22
REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION DISAGGREGATED BY : 23
(I) SCHOOL; 24
(II) GENDER; 25
(III) RACE; 26
(IV) ETHNICITY; 27
(V) AVERAGE LENGTH OF SER VICE; 28
(VI) STATUS ON THE CAREER LADDER ESTABLISHED UNDER § 29
6–1002 OF THIS TITLE; 30
SENATE BILL 893 7
(VII) NUMBER OF E DUCATORS HIRED DURIN G THE REPORTING 1
PERIOD; AND 2
(VIII) ATTRITION RATES OF ED UCATORS DURING THE REPORTING 3
PERIOD. 4
6–129. 5
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “COMPACT” MEANS THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 6
MOBILITY COMPACT. 7
(B) (1) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO JOIN THE 8
INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT AS A MEMBER STATE . 9
(2) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE STATE BOARD SHALL ENSURE 10
THAT ALL NECESSARY STEPS ARE TAKEN FOR MARYLAND TO BECOME A MEMBER 11
STATE IN THE COMPACT. 12
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT IS 13
TO FACILITATE THE LI CENSURE OF TEACHERS ACROSS THE MEMBER ST ATES, WITH 14
THE GOAL OF IMPROVIN G ACCESS TO THE TEAC HING PROFESSION AND SERVING THE 15
NEEDS OF STUDENTS AC ROSS THE MEMBER STAT ES TO RECEIVE A QUAL ITY 16
EDUCATION FROM QUALI FIED TEACHERS . 17
(D) (1) TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR A 18
STANDARD PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE, AN INDIVIDUAL IN A COMPACT MEMBER 19
STATE SHALL: 20
(I) HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE; AND 21
(II) HAVE COMPLETED ALL RE QUIREMENTS OF A PROG RAM FOR 22
TEACHER LICENSURE APPROVED B Y THE LICENSING AUTH ORITY OF THE COMPACT 23
MEMBER STATE . 24
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP AN APPLICATION PROCESS 25
FOR A STANDARD PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE UNDER THI S SECTION, WHICH 26
SHALL INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT FOR APPL ICANTS TO UNDERGO A CRIMINAL 27
BACKGROUND CHECK . 28
(3) ON RECEIPT OF AN APPL ICATION FOR A STANDARD 29
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE UNDER THI S SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 30
(I) ISSUE THE LICENSE TO THE APPLICANT ; OR 31 8 SENATE BILL 893
(II) SHOW CAUSE FOR THE DE NIAL TO ISSUE A LICE NSE TO THE 1
APPLICANT. 2
(4) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH A NO TICE AND APPEAL 3
PROCESS FOR APPLICAN TS TO APPEAL DECISIO NS MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 4
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION. 5
(E) (1) THE STATE BOARD AND THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND 6
TEACHER EDUCATION BOARD MAY ESTABLISH R EGULATIONS AUTHORIZIN G THE 7
AUTOMATIC ISSUANCE O F A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE TO TEACHERS WHO ARE 8
LICENSED IN A COMPACT MEMBER STATE . 9
(2) A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS 10
MINIMAL EQUIVALENCY AS THE ELIGIBLE LICE NSE UNDER THE COMPACT. 11
(F) WHEN A LICENSE ISS UED IN ACCORDANCE WI TH THIS SECTION IS UP 12
FOR RENEWAL , THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUIRE THE TEAC HER TO COMPLETE 13
STATE–SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AS A CO NDITION FOR RENEWAL OF THE LICENSE. 14
7–1A–04. 15
(a) All eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements that 16
are evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, 17
including: 18
(1) Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year: 19
(i) High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a 20
minimum[, hold]: 21
1. [State] HOLD STATE certification for teaching in early 22
childhood education; [or] 23
2. [A] HOLD A bachelor’s degree in any field and are 24
pursuing residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, 25
which includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical 26
content knowledge; OR 27
3. ARE PURSUING STATE CERTIFICATION T HROUGH AN 28
ALTERNATIVE PREPARAT ION PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 29
6–120 OF THIS ARTICLE; and 30
(ii) Teaching assistants who have at least: 31
SENATE BILL 893 9
1. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 1
2. An associate’s degree; 2
(2) Professional development for all staff; 3
(3) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 in each 4
class; 5
(4) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 6
(5) A full–day prekindergarten program; 7
(6) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 8
participation in all program opportunities; 9
(7) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 10
learning environments that: 11
(i) Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 12
Standards; 13
(ii) Use evidence–based curricula; and 14
(iii) Use instruction methods that are: 15
1. Developmentally appropriate; and 16
2. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 17
(8) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 18
(9) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to the 19
salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county in 20
which the early learning program is located; 21
(10) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 22
(11) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 23
(12) Community partnerships that promot e access to comprehensive 24
services for families of students; and 25
(13) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 26
18–2201. 27
10 SENATE BILL 893
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(b) “Eligible institution” means a: 2
(1) Public senior higher education institution in the State that possesses a 3
certificate of approval from the Commission and has a department, school, or college of 4
education; or 5
(2) Private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State that 6
possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission, has a department, school, or 7
college of education, and agrees to provide a matching grant to an undergraduate or 8
graduate student, as appropriate, who receives a Teaching Fellows for Maryland 9
scholarship in the lesser of: 10
(i) 100% of the annual cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the 11
University of Maryland, College Park Campus; or 12
(ii) 50% of the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the private 13
nonprofit institution of higher education. 14
[(c) “Office” means the Office of Student Financial Assistance as defined in § 15
18–101(c) of this title.] 16
[(d)] (C) (1) “Service obligation” means to teach full time in the State as a 17
teacher in a Maryland public school or a public prekindergarten program [that has at least 18
50% of its students eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM)]: 19
(I) THAT IS IN A HIGH–NEEDS SCHOOL , AS DEFINED BY THE 20
DEPARTMENT ; OR 21
(II) IN A GRADE LEVEL OR C ONTENT AREA IN WHICH THERE IS A 22
SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIE D EDUCATORS , AS DETERM INED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 23
(2) “Service obligation” does not mean employment as teaching assistants, 24
volunteer service, paid fellowships, or internships. 25
18–2202. 26
There is a program of Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarships that are awarded 27
under this subtitle for students who pledge to work as public school or public 28
prekindergarten teachers in the State upon completion of their studies at [schools that have 29
at least 50% of the students in the school eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM)]: 30
(1) A HIGH–NEEDS SCHOOL, AS DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; OR 31
(2) IN A GRADE LEVEL OR C ONTENT AREA IN WHICH THERE IS A 32 SENATE BILL 893 11
SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIE D EDUCATORS , AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 1
18–2203. 2
(a) [The Office shall annually] EACH YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL select 3
eligible students and offer a scholarship to each student selected to be used at an eligible 4
institution of their choice. 5
(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a recipient of the Teaching 6
Fellows for Maryland scholarship shall: 7
(i) [Be a Maryland resident or have graduated from a Maryland 8
high school; 9
(ii)] Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, be accepted 10
for admission or currently enrolled at an eligible institution as a full–time or part–time 11
undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a course of study or program in an academic 12
discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate; 13
[(iii) 1. Have achieved at least: 14
A. For a student currently enrolled in high school, an overall 15
grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, or an overall grade point average 16
in the top 15% of the student’s grade, after completion of the first semester of the senior 17
year; 18
B. For a student currently enrolled as a full –time 19
undergraduate student, a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and 20
satisfactory progress toward a degree in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland 21
professional teacher’s certificate; 22
C. A score of 500 on the reading and math portions of the 23
SAT, with a combined score of at least 1100 on the reading and math portions of the SAT; 24
D. A composite ACT score of 25; or 25
E. A score of 50% on the GRE; and 26
2. Have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or 27
aptitude for teaching;] 28
(II) 1. BE IN THE TOP 25% OF THE STUDENT ’S GRADUATING 29
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS , CONTINUE TO MAKE SAT ISFACTORY PROGRESS T OWARD A 30
DEGREE, AND MAINTAIN THE STA NDARDS OF THE INSTITUTION ; 31
2. HAVE A 3.0 UNWEIGHTED CUMULATIV E 32 12 SENATE BILL 893
HIGH SCHOOL GRADE POINT AVERAGE ON A 4.0 SCALE, CONTINUE TO MAKE 1
SATISFACTORY PROGRES S TOWARD A DEGREE , AND MAINTAIN THE STA NDARDS OF 2
THE INSTITUTION ; OR 3
3. CONTINUE TO MAKE SATI SFACTORY P ROGRESS 4
TOWARD A DEGREE , MAINTAIN THE STANDAR DS OF THE INSTITUTIO N, AND SUBMIT 5
A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE DEAN OR CHA IR OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 6
OR RESPECTIVE DEPART MENT IN WHICH THE TE ACHING CREDENTIAL PR OGRAM IS 7
HOUSED AT THE APPLICANT’S INSTITUTION; 8
[(iv)] (III) Sign a letter of intent to perform the service obligation 9
upon completion of the recipient’s required studies; 10
[(v)] (IV) Accept any other conditions attached to the award; and 11
[(vi)] (V) Satisfy any additional criteria the [Commission] 12
DEPARTMENT may establish. 13
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an individual who, 14
at the time the individual is scheduled to matriculate at an eligible institution, will have 15
been employed as a teaching assistant at a public school or public prekindergarten program 16
in the State for at least 2 years: 17
(i) May apply for a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship 18
under this subtitle; and 19
(ii) Is eligible to hold a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship 20
as a full–time or part–time undergraduate or graduate student. 21
(3) A recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may be 22
an individual who is enrolled or plans to enroll at an eligible institution as a full–time or 23
part–time undergraduate or graduate student who: 24
(i) Changes majors to pursue a course of study or program in an 25
academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate; or 26
(ii) Seeks to change careers to pursue a course of study or program 27
in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate. 28
(c) A recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may not hold a 29
Maryland professional teacher’s certificate. 30
(d) (1) Applicants who are secondary school students shall provide a high 31
school transcript after completion of the first semester of their senior year. 32
(2) Applicants who are currently enrolled in an eligible institution shall 33 SENATE BILL 893 13
provide the most recent college transcript, or if not applicable, the applicant may submit a 1
final high school transcript. 2
(3) Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an eligible institution, but 3
who are high school graduates, shall provide a final high school transcript. 4
(4) Applicants who are high school graduates and are not currently 5
enrolled in an eligible institution, but have completed some courses at an eligible 6
institution, shall provide the most recent college transcript. 7
(5) Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an eligible institution, but 8
who are college graduates, shall provide a final college transcript. 9
18–2204. 10
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the recipient of a Teaching 11
Fellows for Maryland scholarship shall repay the [Commission] DEPARTMENT the funds 12
received [as set forth in § 18–112 of this title] if the recipient does not: 13
(1) Satisfy the degree requirements of the eligible course of study or 14
program or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle; 15
(2) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, perform the service obligation 16
to teach in a public school or a public prekindergarten program [that has at least 50% of 17
its students eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM)] IN A HIGH NEEDS SCHO OL, 18
AS DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT , OR IN A GRADE LEVEL OR CONTENT AREA IN 19
WHICH THERE IS A SHO RTAGE OF QUALIFIED E DUCATORS, AS IDENTIFIED BY THE 20
DEPARTMENT , for a period of: 21
(i) For a recipient who received a scholarship as an undergraduate 22
student, 1 year for each year that the recipient has a scholarship awarded under this 23
subtitle; and 24
(ii) For a recipient who received a scholarship as a graduate student, 25
at least 2 years; and 26
(3) Become professionally certified to teach in the State of Maryland within 27
the time period specified by the [Commission in consultation with the Maryland] 28
Department [of Education]. 29
(b) If a recipient is unable to perform the service obligation required under this 30
subtitle because there are no available positions in a [public school or public 31
prekindergarten program that has at least 50% of its students eligible for free or reduced 32
price meals (FRPM)] QUALIFYING SCHOOL , GRADE LEVEL , OR SUBJECT AREA , the 33
recipient may work in any public school or public prekindergarten program in the State. 34
14 SENATE BILL 893
(c) The [Office] DEPARTMENT shall forgive a recipient of a Teaching Fellows for 1
Maryland scholarship for 2 years of an award if: 2
(1) (i) The recipient has taken the teacher certification examination, 3
approved by the State Board of Education, in 2 consecutive years; and 4
(ii) The recipient fails to pass the teacher certification examination 5
within the time period specified by the [Commission] DEPARTMENT in accordance with 6
subsection (a)(3) of this section; or 7
(2) The recipient provides to the [Office] DEPARTMENT satisfactory 8
evidence of extenuating circumstances that prevent the recipient from becoming 9
professionally certified to teach in the State. 10
18–2205. 11
(a) The annual scholarship award shall be: 12
(1) At a public senior higher education institution in the State that has a 13
department, school, or college of education, 100% of the equivalent annual tuition, 14
mandatory fees, and room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate 15
student, as appropriate, at the public senior higher education institution; or 16
(2) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, at a private nonprofit 17
institution of higher education in the State that has a department, school, or college of 18
education, an amount equal to: 19
(i) The lesser of: 20
1. 100% of the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees 21
of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the University 22
of Maryland, College Park Campus; or 23
2. 50% of the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees 24
of a resident undergraduate or graduate student, as appropriate, at the eligible private 25
nonprofit institution of higher education; and 26
(ii) 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student 27
or graduate student, as appropriate, at the eligible private nonprofit institution of higher 28
education in the State. 29
(b) A private nonprofit institution of higher education shall provide a matching 30
scholarship award in an amount equal to the award calculated in subsection (a)(2)(i) of this 31
section. 32
18–2206. 33
SENATE BILL 893 15
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, each recipient of a 1
Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may renew the award three times if the 2
recipient: 3
(1) [Continues to be a resident of the State or graduated from a high school 4
in the State; 5
(2)] Continues to be a full–time or part–time undergraduate or graduate 6
student at an eligible institution as determined by the Office; AND 7
[(3) Has achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 8
scale and maintains this minimum cumulative grade point average throughout the 9
remainder of this award, or failing to do so, provides evidence of extenuating circumstances; 10
(4) In the judgment of the institution, is making satisfactory progress 11
toward a degree; and 12
(5) Maintains the standards of the institution] 13
(2) (I) HAS ACHIEVED A 3.0 CUMULATIVE GRADE POI NT AVERAGE 14
ON A 4.0 SCALE, CONTINUES TO MAKE SA TISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARD A 15
DEGREE, AND MAINTAINS THE ST ANDARDS OF THE INSTI TUTION; OR 16
(II) CONTINUES TO MAKE SAT ISFACTORY PROGRESS T OWARD A 17
DEGREE, MAINTAINS THE STANDA RDS OF THE INSTITUTI ON, AND SUBMITS A LETTER 18
OF SUPPORT FROM THE DEAN OR CHAIR OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION OR 19
RESPECTIVE DEPARTMEN T IN WHICH THE TEACH ING CREDENTIAL PROGR AM IS 20
HOUSED AT THE APPLICANT’S INSTITUTION. 21
(b) Each recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may renew 22
the annual award four times if the recipient is enrolled in a course of study that, as 23
determined by the institution, requires 5 years to complete. 24
18–2209. 25
The Governor annually shall include IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN 26
APPROPRIATION OF at least the following amounts [in the State budget] for the 27
[Commission] DEPARTMENT to award scholarships under this subtitle: 28
(1) For fiscal year 2022, $4,000,000; 29
(2) For fiscal year 2023, $8,000,000; 30
(3) For fiscal year 2024, $12,000,000; and 31
16 SENATE BILL 893
(4) For fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, [$18,000,000] 1
$10,000,000. 2
18–2210. 3
(A) (1) The [Office of Student Financial Assistance shall: 4
(1) Publicize] DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBLICIZE the availability of 5
Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarships[; and]. 6
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL FOCU S ON PUBLICIZING THE 7
AVAILABILITY OF THE TEACHING FELLOWS FOR MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIPS : 8
(I) AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN 9
THE STATE; AND 10
(II) IN A MANNER THAT PROM OTES THE PROGRAM TO 11
STUDENTS WHO ARE MEM BERS OF GROUPS THAT ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE 12
TEACHING PROFESSION . 13
[(2)] (B) To the extent practicable, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL award 14
scholarships under this subtitle in a manner that reflects ethnic, gender, racial, and 15
geographic diversity. 16
SUBTITLE 27. GROW OUR OWN EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 17
18–2701. 18
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 19
INDICATED. 20
(B) “ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS: 21
(1) A RESIDENT OF THE STATE; AND 22
(2) INTERESTED IN P URSUING A CAREER IN THE TEACHI NG 23
PROFESSION. 24
(C) “ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION ” MEANS A N INSTITUTION OF HIGHE R 25
EDUCATION IN THIS STATE THAT POSSESSES A CERTIFICATE OF APP ROVAL FROM 26
THE COMMISSION AND HAS A DEPARTMENT , SCHOOL, OR COLLEGE OF EDUCAT ION. 27
(D) “ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGAR TEN PROVIDER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 28
IN § 7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE. 29 SENATE BILL 893 17
(E) “FUND” MEANS THE GROW OUR OWN EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND 1
ESTABLISHED UNDER TH IS SUBTITLE. 2
(F) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE GROW OUR OWN EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP 3
PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SUBTITLE . 4
18–2702. 5
(A) THERE IS A GROW OUR OWN EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 6
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO 7
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO PLEDGE TO FULFIL L A SERVICE OBLIGATI ON AS A 8
TEACHER EMPLOYED FULL–TIME BY A COUNTY BOARD OR AN ELIGIBLE 9
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER IN THE STATE. 10
(C) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 11
ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS 12
FOR AN APPLICANT TO: 13
(1) BE A RESIDENT OF THE STATE; 14
(2) (I) BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMIS SION IN A TEACHER 15
PREPARATION PROGRAM AT AN ELIGIB LE INSTITUTION IN TH E STATE; OR 16
(II) BE ACCEPTED IN AN ALT ERNATIVE TEACHER PRE PARATION 17
PROGRAM UNDER § 6–120 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 18
(3) PLEDGE TO FULFILL A SERVICE OBLIGATION AS A TEAC HER 19
EMPLOYED FULL–TIME BY A COUNTY BOARD OR AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGAR TEN 20
PROVIDER IN THE STATE FOR A MINIMUM OF 4 YEARS. 21
(D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND 22
ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR ELIGIB LE INDIVIDUALS TO AP PLY TO THE PROGRAM. 23
(2) THE DEPARTMENT ’S PROCESS SHALL INCLUDE ESTABL ISHING A 24
HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND DIVERSE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE TO REVIEW 25
APPLICATIONS FROM EL IGIBLE INDIVIDUALS W HO ARE ACCEPTED IN A N 26
ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM UNDER § 6–120 OF THIS ARTICLE. 27
(E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP A PROCESS FO R AWARDING 28
SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDI VIDUALS WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 29
ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROGRAM. 30 18 SENATE BILL 893
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DETE RMINE THE AMOUNT OF THE 1
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO RECIPIENTS UNDER THE PROGRAM. 2
18–2703. 3
(A) EACH RECIPIENT OF A SCHOLARSHIP UNDER TH E PROGRAM SHALL USE 4
THE SCHOLARSHIP AWAR D FOR TUITION AND MAND ATORY FEES AT AN ELI GIBLE 5
INSTITUTION. 6
(B) EACH RECIPIENT OF A S CHOLARSHIP UNDER THE PROGRAM SHALL 7
SIGN AN AGREEMENT AT THE TIME OF THE I NITIAL AWARD TO : 8
(1) FULFILL A 4–YEAR SERVICE OBLIGATION A S A TEACHER 9
EMPLOYED FULL–TIME BY A COUNTY BOARD OR AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGAR TEN 10
PROVIDER IN THE STATE WITHIN 6 YEARS OF GRADUATION FROM A TEACHER 11
PREPARATION PROGRAM AT AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION ; AND 12
(2) REPAY THE STATE THE AMOUNTS AWA RDED UNDER THIS 13
SUBTITLE IF THE RECI PIENT DOES NOT FULFILL THE SERVICE OBLIGATIO N OR DOES 14
NOT GRADUATE FROM A TEACHER PREPA RATION PROGRAM AT AN ELIGIBLE 15
INSTITUTION. 16
(C) A RECIPIENT’S SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SH ALL BE TERMINATED IF THE 17
RECIPIENT DOES NOT S ATISFY THE REQUIREME NTS OF THE TEACHER PREPARAT ION 18
PROGRAM AT THE ELIGI BLE INSTITUTION IN W HICH THE RECIPIENT I S ENROLLED. 19
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL WAIVE REPAYMENT OF A SCHOL ARSHIP 20
AWARD FOR A RECIPIENT WHO I S UNABLE TO FULFILL THE SERVICE OBLIGATI ON OR 21
DOES NOT GRADUATE FROM A TEACHER PREPA RATION PROGRAM AT AN ELIGIBLE 22
INSTITUTION DUE TO M EDICAL REASONS . 23
(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL WORK WITH COUNTY BOARDS A ND ELIGIBLE 24
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDERS TO ENSURE EMPLOYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP 25
RECIPIENTS AFTER GRADUATION . 26
18–2704. 27
FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM SHALL BE AS P ROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 28
18–2705. 29
(A) THERE IS A GROW OUR OWN EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND. 30
SENATE BILL 893 19
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSH IPS TO 1
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO PLEDGE TO FULFIL L A SERVICE OBLIGATI ON AS A 2
TEACHER EMPLOYED FULL–TIME BY A COUNTY BOARD OR AN ELIGIBLE 3
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER. 4
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 5
(D) (1) THE FUND IS A SP ECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 6
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 7
(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 8
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 9
(E) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 10
(1) MONEY APPROPRI ATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 11
(2) INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND; AND 12
(3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 13
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 14
(F) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND 15
PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO RECIPIENTS UNDER THE PROGRAM. 16
(G) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 17
IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 18
(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 19
THE FUND. 20
(H) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 21
WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 22
SUBTITLE 28. EDUCATOR INTERNSHIP STIPEND PROGRAM. 23
18–2801. 24
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “PROGRAM” MEANS THE EDUCATOR INTERNSHIP 25
STIPEND PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SECTION . 26
(B) (1) THERE IS AN EDUCATOR INTERNSHIP STIPEND PROGRAM. 27
20 SENATE BILL 893
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE STIPENDS TO 1
STUDENT TEACHERS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERNSHIP OR PRA CTICUM 2
THAT PROVIDES EXPERI ENCE WORKING DIRECTL Y WITH STUDENTS AS A PART OF 3
THE REQUIREMENTS NEC ESSARY TO EARN CERTIFI CATION. 4
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE PROGRAM. 5
(C) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TH E PROGRAM, AN APPLICANT SHALL : 6
(1) BE CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT AN ELIGIBLE INSTI TUTION AS A 7
FULL–TIME OR PART–TIME UNDERGRADUATE O R GRADUATE STUDENT PURSUING A 8
COURSE OF STUDY OR P ROGRAM IN AN ACADEMI C DISCIPLINE LEADING TO A 9
MARYLAND PROFESSIONAL TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE; 10
(2) COMPLETE AN INTERNSHI P OR A PRACTICUM PROVIDING DIRECT 11
EXPERIENCE WORKING W ITH STUDENTS AS PART OF THE APPLICANT ’S COURSE OF 12
STUDY OR PROGRAM LEADING TO A MARYLAND PROFESSIONAL TEACHER’S 13
CERTIFICATE; AND 14
(3) (I) BE IN THE TOP 25% OF THE APPLICANT’S GRADUATING 15
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS , CONTINUE TO MAKE SAT ISFACTORY PROGRESS T OWARD A 16
DEGREE, AND MAINTAIN THE STA NDARDS OF THE INSTIT UTION; 17
(II) HAVE A 3.0 UNWEIGHTED CUMULATIV E HIGH SCHOOL 18
GRADE POINT AVERAGE ON A 4.0 SCALE, CONTINUE TO MAKE SAT ISFACTORY 19
PROGRESS TOWARD A DE GREE, AND MAINTAIN THE STA NDARDS OF THE 20
INSTITUTION; OR 21
(III) CONTINUE TO MAKE SATI SFACTORY PROGRESS TO WARD A 22
DEGREE, MAINTAIN THE STANDAR DS OF THE INSTITUTIO N, AND SUBMIT A LETTER 23
OF SUPPORT FROM THE DEAN OR CHAIR OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION OR 24
RESPECTIVE DEPARTMEN T IN WHICH THE TEACH ING CREDENTIAL PROGR AM IS 25
HOUSED AT THE APPLICANT’S INSTITUTION. 26
(D) A PARTICIPANT IN THE PROGRAM MAY RECEIVE A STIPEND OF UP TO 27
$20,000 FOR A 10–MONTH EDUCATOR INTER NSHIP. 28
(E) (1) FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM SHALL BE AS P ROVIDED IN THE 29
STATE BUDGET . 30
(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY PRORAT E THE AMOUNT OF THE STIPEND 31
BASED ON THE AVAILA BLE FUNDS AND NUMBER OF APPLICANTS . 32
SENATE BILL 893 21
(F) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HIRE AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT 1
TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM IN ATTRACTING NEW 2
TEACHERS TO THE PROF ESSION. 3
(2) THE EVALUATION SHALL EMPLOY : 4
(I) RANDOM ASSIGNMENT , IF FEASIBLE AND ETHI CAL; OR 5
(II) OTHER RESEARCH METHOD S THAT ALLOW FOR THE 6
STRONGEST POSSIBLE C AUSAL INFERENCES , IF RANDOM ASSIGNMENT IS NOT 7
FEASIBLE AND ETHICAL IN THIS INSTANCE. 8
(3) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT 9
THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION TO THE GOVERNOR, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 10
§ 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 11
Article – State Finance and Procurement 12
6–226. 13
(a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unl ess 14
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 15
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 16
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 17
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 18
Fund of the State. 19
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 20
to the following funds: 21
170. the Cannabis Public Health Fund; [and] 22
171. the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund; AND 23
172. THE GROW OUR OWN EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP 24
FUND. 25
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED , That this Act shall take effect July 26
1, 2023. 27